For a large part of southeast Georgia and parts of South Carolina, the person scaling the tower is Thomas Smith of Southern Tower Services. “T.C.” is a Georgia boy and began his career serving in the U.S. Navy as an electronics tech. He worked for tower companies for several years and decided in mid-2009 that it was time to try it on his own. “Mind you, I do not like paperwork. But with the support of family and friends, I established an LLC and set up all the official type things you need to get started,” explains T.C. “I went to the Eastman Chamber of Commerce in Dodge County where I met Michelle Wright with the UGA’s Small Business Development Center. She referred me to the Small Business Assistance Corporation(SBAC) and the rest is history.”

Southern Tower Services utilized two loan programs for working capital - the USDA Intermediary Relending Program (IRP) and the SBA Microloan program. The USDA- IRP loan program covers 13 counties in Southeast Georgia and can be used for business acquisition, construction, leasehold improvements, working capital, furniture & fixtures, inventory, supplies, machinery & equipment and refinance of existing debt. It has a maximum loan amount of $150,000, however, these funds must be blended with a participating lender (aka, a bank).

The SBAC administers the SBA Microloan program in 53 counties in southeast Georgia and 3 in South Carolina. Funds may be used for working capital, purchase of inventory, supplies, furniture/fixtures, raw materials and machinery/equipment. The maximum loan amount is $50,000, but may be combined with a bank loan for total financing of $105,000.

“T.C. is truly passionate about his work. His eyes, his face light up when he gets to talk about what he does. As a loan officer, those moments are the best part of my job,” explained Debra Simmons, Community Development Officer at the SBAC. “He had a solid business plan, the experience and a contract for business - all elements that contribute to the future success of Southern Tower Services.”

“They are great!” T.C. says of the SBAC. “I have future plans to expand my business once I’ve finished paying off my start-up loan.”

His advice is simple: if you decide to start your own business, please make sure you do it out of love for what you do and not simple desire for money…happiness is key to success in life, not money.

17Hundred90 Inn & Restaurant has it all. A love story, a ghost story, an intrigue and most recently a story of restoration and renewal.

Patrick Godley’s journey began two years ago as the manager of 17Hundred90 Inn & Restaurant. He came to work daily seeing so much untapped potential in the oldest inn in Savannah. “There were so many opportunities missed because of loss of passion,” said Patrick. “You have to be a passionate person and love your business. I love 17Hundred90 Inn & Restaurant. It’s exciting to be at work every day.”

Patrick heard the owners were considering ‘getting out of the business’. “The banks were iron-fisted; the economy was tight. We’d heard of the Small Business Assistance Corporation and applied for a loan to purchase the real estate (buildings & land). Wendy Jeffers at the SBAC worked with us and The Heritage Bank on an SBA 504 loan.” This loan program allows for the purchase of real estate, construction & renovation, machinery & equipment and recently, through the passage of the ‘Jobs Bill’, a refinancing option was expanded (see www.sbacsav.com for qualification details).

It wasn’t long before the Godley’s were the new owners of 17Hundred90 Inn & Restaurant. They knew shutting the entire operations and renovating was not a wise option, so Patrick and his father Nathan began strategic renovations. Six new, energy efficient HVAC units were added; bathrooms updated over the course of several weekends. Moving room-to-room, the inn is coming to life. As with any renovation of a historical building, there are surprises to find, such as a previous covered over linen closet complete with door under one of the staircases.

The inn isn’t the only place seeing a ‘fresh coat of paint.’ The restaurant and bar have undergone changes as well - new menus and a renewed commitment to fresh, high quality food. And in the bar, new events like the Christmas Party, Tosh Tuesdays and a Girls Night Out have a new, younger crowd of regulars haunting the bar stools.

And for the readers still wondering about the paranormal activity at 17Hundred90? Well, Anna Powers is still seen and heard from regularly. In fact, her activities will be showcased on A&E’s “Paranormal State” in May 2011. So what are you waiting for - take a staycation; go out for dinner & drinks…be a part of Savannah’s favorite space to haunt for over 200 years.

Stacy struck up a conversation with the store’s owner and found out that it was a franchise based out of Los Angeles, California. When they returned from vacation, she went online to find out more about the corporation. Her husband, an architect, loved the circular traffic flow, clean fresh colors pallet and unique architectural features, such as the wavy wall, glass tiled serving wall and usage of the logo in unexpected ways (light fixtures made to look like the swirly cone top). Stacy found the community involvement aspect of the franchise to be very attractive. Menchie’s encourages their stores to give back and help local organizations with fundraising efforts.

A visit to Los Angeles (the home of the self-serve frozen yogurt trend) confirmed their decision that a Menchie’s franchise was the ‘way to go.’ Now, they needed the business plan and access to capital for operating cash, equipment, furniture and fixtures and the franchise fees associated with purchasing the rights to a market area. A chance encounter brought them to Jamie Chisolm at The Heritage Bank who saw the potential in this start-up and directed them to Wendy Jeffers at the Small Business Assistance Corporation to get started on an SBA 7(a) Guaranteed loan application. “Wendy was amazing. Once we submitted the all the paperwork and application to the SBA, we knew there just had to be something else,” stated Stacy. “But, she was so thorough that our application was approved shortly after it was sent. We were stunned, but really excited.” The SBA 7(a) Loan Guaranty program was a strong fit for Menchie’s as it allows the purchase of inventory, construction, machinery & equipment, franchise fees and working capital for businesses.

A few months later, the dream that began at the “happiest place on earth” is open and serving smiles, delicious frozen yogurt and tempting toppings. Stacy continues to look forward planning the opening of a second and third location in the Savannah area. “Just be patient,” she advises. “The vision you have will become a reality. The road there just may have a few more bumps and turns then you anticipated. So definitely, just be patient…it’ll happen.”

You can visit and enjoy a cup of Menchie’s frozen yogurt at Eisenhower Square M-Thu/Sun from 11am - 11pm or Fri/Sat from 11am - 12am.

The SBAC, located at 111 E. Liberty, Suite 100 in Savannah, is a specialized, non-profit business development organization licensed by the U. S. Small Business Administration and supported by the City of Savannah and the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to promote economic growth. Since 1989, the SBAC has been offering loan products in the City of Savannah, to 53 counties in southeast Georgia and Hampton, Beaufort and Jasper counties in South Carolina.

How in the world did she end up with the same shop 22 years and a career later? Serendipity and hard work. The passing of a long-time friend and mentor brought Shannon to a family gathering where she found out the building was going to be sold. “It was just too good to be true. I prayed first, then headed over to my bank to figure out what my options were. Angie Moore at Wells Fargo directed me to the SBAC and Debra Simmons.” Shannon stated. “I knew I’d need to put up money. Even with my savings, there was still some extra cash that would be needed. I asked myself, ‘how important is this to you, Shannon?’ I had a Jaguar that I’d saved up for and purchased a while back. Once I made the decision this was going to happen, I sold the Jag. No second thoughts.”

Within three weeks of applying for a City of Savannah MLK Revolving Loan through the Small Business Assistance Corporation, Shannon was approved and Echelon Studio & Boutique was on its way. “Shannon came in the office with a plan and a confidence in her abilities that is catching. Any obstacle - large or small - she overcame quickly and with a depth of knowledge most first-time business owners develop over years.” says Debra Simmons, Community Development Officer with the SBAC. “I’d describe her as tenacious with the experience, the resources and the knowledge to accomplish most anything.”

A few months after being approved and an entire building renovation later, Echelon Studio & Boutique opened its doors on February 7, 2011. Several clients from Shannon’s early days have returned to the new studio. After this amazing journey Shannon has some sage advice for those other aspiring business owners: think about the future; know how to do everything in your business yourself, if you turn management over to someone else then expect someone else’s results; no client belongs to you, so don’t be mad if they go - figure out why and do your best to remedy the problem.

After the bidding “smoke” cleared, the sheets were tallied. The SBAC was proud to announce that this first annual event raised $550 to benefit each of the charities. “It was our first time holding an event for our Lenders League to raise money for charities. We were thrilled at the support our clients gave us with their many donated items, as well as, the generosity of our Networking group. Both the Community Health Mission and Greenbriar do thankless work for Savannah, so it’s a treat to be able to give a little back to those who give so much to us.”

A check presentation was held on January 6th at the Small Business Assistance Corporation conference room. Several of the Lenders League members, SBAC President Tony O’Reilly, SBAC Vice President Stephen George and Dr. Miriam Rittmeyer of the Community Health Mission were in attendance.

“This check will give 20 people free health care for 2 months,” stated Dr. Rittmeyer. “We will put it to good use right away!”

In the case of Glenn Gaylord and Maurice Howell, they pursued that dream traveling from Texas to Arkansas and finally to Savannah searching for the perfect B&B to purchase and make their own.

“We came to Savannah, stayed one night here and while walking in the park after lunch, we made the decision to purchase the Park Avenue Manor B&B property,” said Maurice. “Glenn and I were sold and couldn’t remember why we looked anywhere else.”

After visiting with their commercial banker, Maurice and Glenn agreed an SBA 504 loan would be the best fit for their needs. An SBA 504 loan is beneficial for businesses who are looking to acquire real estate, build/renovate, purchase long-term use machinery & equipment or, thanks to the passage of H.R. 5297 in September, certain refinancing and soft costs. The rates are fixed and the term of the loan can be for 10-20 years. Something many small businesses find very attractive for large real estate acquisitions, like a bed and breakfast.

The Small Business Assistance Corporation’s Stephen George worked tirelessly to insure an efficient turnaround from application to approval to funding. “Maurice and Glenn have such a positive energy and are incredibly well-organized and responsive to requests. They also have a willingness to learn and acquire knowledge to better themselves and the business. It was a pleasure to see them become the new proprietors at Park Avenue B&B,” added Mr. George.

Sitting in the parlor in front of a crackling fire with coffee cups in hand, Glenn & Maurice give their advice to those of us who secretly dream about leaving it all and becoming an innkeeper.
* there are a lot of things you can’t control - arrivals, departures, attitudes and emotions, so BE FLEXIBLE.
* you are on call 24 hrs a day. Guests are ‘in residence’, arriving and departing daily.
* you have to manage your time wisely and have impeccable communication skills.
* SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS - they are your referrals, your last minute bookings, your “my parents are in town” clients.

Since December 2003, Innovative Healthcare Management Solutions have assisted dozens of offices in the medical profession get started and remain efficient through variety. Three years of fast-paced growth brought Annie and Rita to a crossroads in 2006. They desperately needed to expand, hire more staff and find a permanent location that could give them the ability to continue to grow in the future. Knowing their long-term goals, Patrece Grant at Capitol City Bank & Trust directed Annie and Rita to the Small Business Assistance Corporation.

“We looked at the SBAC loan programs several times. We kept thinking, ‘This loan is going to be so much paperwork. We won’t have time to do it,’” says Annie Harvey. “Then, it came to the point where we decided to do it. It was so simple and the SBAC’s staff helped us each step of the way.”

The SBA 7(a) loan guaranty program gave them the capital they needed to acquire a larger building and the City of Savannah Martin Luther King, Jr. Revolving Loan Fund -EDA program for the operating expenses incurred by the business expansion.

Four years later and they have a lot of advice for small business owners. “Don’t lease any equipment - buy it,” Annie says laughingly. “But seriously, we got into several leases that upon reviewing what we paid out of pocket for versus what it was to buy them new - we could’ve had 4 of them!”

“Don’t be afraid of your business. It’s a living being that needs to be fed and will grow in the right environment. If you need a bigger place, new employees, equipment, get the capital you need and make the expansion,” adds Rita.

Ted began the journey at the SBDC writing a business plan with the focus and assistance of Lynn Vos. “A small business is like a hive. Every person and item has a role to play and can influence and change their environment. I needed the funding to take those people and the product to the public.” He went “public” on Broughton Street with an EDA-MLK loan in conjunction with the City of Savannah. “Savannah Bee Company had a unique, high-quality product that was ahead of the curve,” says Stephen George, Vice President of the SBAC “Ted and his team were the first in their niche. We knew from his first visit that his passion and impeccable organization would make Savannah Bee a success.”

The EDA loan that created the signature storefront Savannah-ians and visitors still buzz about spurred an addition to the Savannah Bee Company hive. Ted revisited the SBAC needing to build a warehouse & second store on Wilmington Island. An SBA 504 loan with its flexible use, low interest rates (4.62% for Sept. 2010) and long-terms (up to 20-year fixed) fit the needs.

After so much success, what does the King Bee have to say to others venturing to build their own business hive? “Many people in business don’t realize how far-reaching their seemingly little product or service is for people in the community. The analogy of small business as a beehive - every person has a role and an impact. We all interrelate in so many ways that in the day-to-day gets overlooked. But that’s where the most important stuff happens.”

In 2002, Brian & Julie Curry had reached in an impasse. They found the location,
had the business plan, but needed the working capital to launch. Their banker,
Walter Bowden, advised them to visit the SBAC. He believed they would be able
to put the pieces together and get this ambitious couple open for business. Brian
said, “Walter was a different banker. We were not the best looking prospects on
paper, but he had this unshakable belief in me as a customer and businessman.”
Walter Bowden was right. The team at the Small Business Assistance Corporation
in conjunction with the City of Savannah used funding from the Business Loan
Guaranty Program.

The Business Loan Guaranty Program assists Savannah businesses to obtain
financing under the City of Savannah’s CDBG Revolving Loan Fund. The Small
Business Assistance Corporation makes a business loan directly available to qualified
borrowers. Priority is given to businesses located in low to moderate income
neighborhoods, minority owned businesses and businesses that will create jobs
for low to moderate income persons. Funding is eligible for working capital, land
and building, machinery, equipment, furniture, fixture or inventory acquisition,
renovation of current facilities, or payment of accounts payables.

“Jazz’d was a new concept for Savannah. Brian and Julie had years of restaurant
management experience and were savvy entrepreneurs. We knew it would be a
business to benefit the City of Savannah for years,” stated Stephen George, Vice
President of the SBAC.

Brian makes it clear that being a restaurant owner is “24/7 and rarely if ever the
glamour people might think it is. “This is your lifestyle. I am owner, maintenance
man, counselor and more. I know to the penny how much we make from
every dollar. I have to know. Just a 1% change in a few areas can make all the
difference.”