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Success Stories

Situation:

In 2005, Lisa Cochran started “The Studio”, a beauty salon in Laurel, MS. Lisa’s passion lends itself well to this chosen venture given her extrinsic and intrinsic care for her clients. The salon offers a complete beauty service catalog consisting of all elements of hair and body care. Lisa and her professional staff are qualified to provide the kind of total body service experience. Using the momentum garnered from the first location Lisa opened a second location in Hattiesburg, MS during 2007.

Solution: How the SBA helped:

Lisa began her SBA journey by contacting the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), an SBA resource partner for help to develop an SBA Low Doc loan package to finance the business.

The SBDC assisted Lisa in developing a business plan to fund a second location backed by an SBA loan. Lisa continues her relationship with the SBDC by receiving business counseling and attending business workshops.

Lisa said, “The SBA... Read More

Situation:

AGJ Systems & Networks, Inc. is a veteran-owned small business that specializes in network solutions and integration, hardware and software computer sales, and Web site design and hosting. Founded as a partnership by Brian Alford and Arthur "Bud" Jones in May 2002. The company was located at the Gulf Coast Business Technology Center, a business incubator in Biloxi where they occupied a 400 square-foot office and had one client. They are currently located in Gulfport, MS and have doubled the size of their offices which are currently staffed with 27 employees. AJG currently supports a client base of over 40 websites and more than 160 commercial, federal, state, and local government customers in Mississippi as well as throughout the United States and Canada. 

How SBA Helped:

AGJ received business counseling from the SBA The business was financed with a $20,000 loan from Hancock Bank backed by the SBAExpress program.  AGJ has received a SBA 7(a) Loan AGJ... Read More

Situation:

T’Keyah Williams is the owner of Mama Nature’s Juice and Salad Bar. The small business was started in November 2016. Williams’ mom went vegan in April 2016 to help with health issues. Williams began researching the subject because her children suffered from chronic asthma. Williams began putting together juice recipes to help heal her children body from the illness. Williams decided to become a vegan herself and saw the benefits for her and her children. Along the way, she decided to sell her products to help others have healthier options.

 

Mama Nature’s went from a mobile delivery service to storefront located in Ridgeland, MS known for its fresh pressed juice. They provide juices, smoothies, salads, wraps, and much more healthy eating options. The juice bar promotes healthy living and assists many people with education behind food and benefits they brings good health.

 

Mama Nature’s Juice Bar is all about encouraging a healthy way... Read More

Vera Hall
Principal & Managing Member
Innovative Performance Construction Co.
Jackson, MS

With guidance from the SBA Mississippi District Office and her local Procurement Technical Assistance Center, Vera Hall positioned her small business to better compete for government contracts. Vera has over 10 years’ experience in construction management.

A college vocational ed class sparked her interest in the industry. As part of a class project, she helped replace her grandmother’s door—still standing as a reminder of her first project and how a small thing can do a world of good for someone. Vera knew she wanted her small business to capitalize on local SBA assistance so her team and community could benefit. A lifelong resident of Mississippi, Vera is working for change in her community of Jackson, helping renovate historic churches and affordable housing. Using SBA contracting assistance programs and surety bonding, Innovative Performance Construction... Read More

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