Client: Artisan Fine Rug Care
239 Walker St.
Watsonville, CA  95076-4523
www.rugcarestudio.com

After 25 years in family law practice, Margaret Kinda looked forward to her retirement and enjoying her passions including gardening and textile arts. Her son, however, presented an intriguing second career option in 2008: he was ready to partner with her to start an oriental rug restoration and cleaning business. Kinda contacted the Central Coast SBDC to look at options in order to start a successful business in the City of Watsonville.

Wallace Berry, SBDC Business Plan Advisor, began assisting Kinda with lease negotiations and business planning for a promising site in the industrial and agricultural zone.  John Hibble, SBDC Marketing Advisor, was brought in to develop a marketing strategy, along with Penelope Faure, SBDC Bookkeeping Advisor, to review and refine financials reports. Lastly, Danny Braga, SBDC Financing Advisor, assisted Kinda with business plan development, loan and line of credit options.  She also took advantage of four seminars offered through the SBDC.

The SBDC team approach to launch “Artisan Fine Rug Care” was a great success-  the business opened for the holiday season, Kinda hired her first employee, and by June 2009 she was approved for a line of credit. Sales are steady from her first marketing mass mailing, and word of mouth has been her greatest marketing tool.  The addition of her new website in the summer will help expand her visibility.

Client Statement- “While negotiating the lease for our present location, Wallace Berry helped me analyze the lease terms and other aspects of the contract. Mr. Hibble gave us advice that prevented us from making expensive mistakes. We were able to capitalize on his counsel, attend his SBDC seminars on marketing and internet optimization, and otherwise develop an aggressive word-of-mouth and internet campaign. Penelope Faure was critical to us being able to get up and running with our accounting program. Her counsel has been essential. Ms. Faure helped me figure out how to organize my accounts and save steps, worry and frustration. Lastly, Danny Braga’s insightful comments and suggestions about the business plan helped me finish it, hone it and put in presentable form. Thank you all so much!!

SBDC Advisors: Wallace Berry, Danny Braga, Penelope Faure,  and John Hibble
Central Coast SBDC