NJSBDC’s WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES’ AMAZING SUCCESSES . ..
Contact: Jody Calendar
973-353-1927 or 732-245-9181
January 15, 2014 (Newark, NJ) – Women small business owners from varying industry sectors – some of whom with annual revenues of a million-plus – have credited their tenacity as well as the New Jersey Small Business Development Centers network for much of their development and growth. Small business drives the economy and leads the way for innovation and job creation throughout the state. These NJSBDC women business clients lead the way with their success stories.
Clients of the NJSBDC network, including women at the helm, have further developed and grown by seeking the advice of and guidance of the NJSBDC’s business professionals. The network provided more than 20,000 hours of one-on-one counseling to more than 5,000 small business owners and entrepreneurs in 2012. Data for 2013 will be released in February.
“We believe these women are great examples of how perseverance and attention to details can pave the way for great accomplishments,” NJSBDC CEO-State Director Brenda Hopper said.
“Our network’s business experts helped them succeed in getting to these great benchmarks and will continue to provide guidance during the various stages of growth to come,” added Deborah Smarth, NJSBDC chief operating officer-associate state director.
They include:
- HerbaKraft (Nisha Khanijow, President) – Manufactures of dietary supplements, employing 13 individuals and reaching annual sales of more than $4 million; located in Piscataway. “Our company and team received very strategic assistance to help us manage our rapid expansion. We truly thank the NJSBDC for their quality support and guidance,” says HerbaKraft President Nisha Khanijow
- Morris Family Medical Center (Elena R. Jauregui, MD) – Has grown her family medical practice since opening the business in 2000, building a practice of more than 3,000 patients; located in Elizabeth. “To have someone guide you in creating a business plan is a strategic way to start a business. Thanks to the NJSBDC and its highly informed coaches and instructors we were able to fulfill our dream,” said Dr. Jauregui.
- GIANT Gymnastics (Jennifer Packard & John Skorski) – Focused in the world of gymnastics, the company now has 6 full-time employees and has increased sales to almost a million dollars; located in Hackettstown. The owners credit the NJSBDC with showing them how to run a business and with its high customer retention rate.
- Stokes Creative Group, Inc. (Joanne Stokes) – Provides full service marketing services with specialization in the construction and transportation industries; has succeeded in obtaining major contracts in New Jersey and New York; located in Southampton. Stokes received assistance with business plan formulation, enabling her to obtain financing from Sun Bank to take the company to the next level.
- WisEngineering, LLC (Cheryl D. Hall) – A defense contractor providing technology solutions and consulting services with 30 employees and several million dollars in sales annually; located in Dover. “Our company truly appreciates the guidance and support of the NJSBDC and SBA. We will continue to leverage the knowledge that they provide as we look toward the future.”
- Mallory’s Marvelous Muffins (Leslie Nist) – Has attracted new customers and grown her business due to an aggressive Internet marketing/ and website sales campaign for her diversified supply of gift baskets with an array of baked goods selections; located in Basking Ridge. Nist credits all of the NJSBDC’s resources as making “all the difference in the world.” Her online sales have grown tremendously as a result.
- Jersey Girl Café (Kathleen Rana) – A corporate catering business and a retail eatery establishment, the business now has 6 full-time employees, known for its culinary experience; located in Hamilton. Kathleen Rana, owner of Jersey Girl Café, said that the NJSBDC at the College of New Jersey “put everything right after an auspicious start and allowed me the training and guidance to open a new location planned for early spring. I am so thankful.”
“Among the array of services provided, the network assists small business owners with enhancing sales, customer service, long-term strategic planning as well as business continuity planning to prevent and ameliorate negative impacts on business operations from disasters like Super Storm Sandy,” said Hopper.
“Our NJSBDC network long-distance learning programs, also, provide advice on pricing strategy, strategic planning, disaster assistance and benchmarking financial and marketing performance,” added Smarth.
About NJSBDC
This non-profit network is a federal-state-educational partnership. Its expert staff and business practitioners help small business owners and entrepreneurs with every stage of business development and growth. The network headquarters is located at the Rutgers Business School in Newark. Its major funding partner is the U.S. Small Business Administration. The New Jersey Business Action Center is an additional funding partner of the NJSBDC program as well as other public and private grants/sponsorships. The NJSBDC network is an accredited member of the national association of SBDCs, with more than 1,100 centers and satellite offices throughout the country serving and assisting small businesses and saving and creating jobs across the nation. For more information, visit www.njsbdc.com.
