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New businesses on the rise in Lewisville
Heather M. Smith
hsmith@acnpapers.com
The majority of new entrepreneurs are neither fresh out of college nor Generation X-ers. According to a new study, the baby boomer generation is the strongest force behind most new businesses.
“The very idea of 'too-big-to-fail' institutions has been permanently damaged," Stangler wrote. “Recent economic trends—away from lifetime jobs and toward more and more new companies—will thus gain even greater cultural traction.”
The greater Lewisville area has benefited from this new trend. There are three new businesses in the area that are owned and operated by baby boomers, including one owned by a couple that is part of the falling long-term employment trend.
Flower Mound resident and business owner Trent Clark was born at the tail-end of the baby boomer generation, which (census?) For the past nine years he has run an architecture firm, and two months ago he opened Smart Office, which offers individuals and telecommuters a professional atmosphere for meetings and workspace. Clark says his goal for the business is to offer the community a less expensive alternative to other executive office spaces. Smart Office is the only meeting venue in the area that is in between a home office and executive suites, he said.
“Originally, I bought this property because I needed more office space and wanted a professional atmosphere,” Clark said. “The idea for Smart Office came when I realized that I didn’t need a five-person office. This is a great place for individuals and telecommuters; it gets them out of the solitude of working at home.”
Smart Office offers its patrons a pay-by-the-month plan with no long-term contract. It also offers hourly and daily fees.
Smart Office is housed in a renovated farmhouse. It is open with card access 24 hours a day, seven days a week and includes security cameras and lighting for safety. Some of Smart Office’s clients include a non-profit agency and home owners associations.
“We’re very flexible here,” Clark said. “I really want to build the community and offer people some networking opportunities.”
Clark’s journey to opening Smart Office was filled with bumps in the road. He bought the farmhouse in March 2008, right before the housing market began its decline.
“I had already bought the property when the economy tanked, but I jumped in with faith,” Clark said. “By the time I got the zoning rights in January 2009, the economy was bust. My thought was how was I going to pay for it all, but didn’t I want to throw everything away.”
Clark credited his “entrepreneur spirit” and his prior experiences as a business owner for finishing his dream of opening Smart Office. Prior to creating his own firm, Clark worked in the corporate world for 12 years, but found that when he began looking for a new job, “all the firms seemed the same.”
By the first or second financial quarter, Clark hopes to turn a profit. He said he eventually wants to build additional Smart Office spaces and franchise his idea.
Fellow baby boomer Kevin Sadowski opened his business Sept. 1. Choice Carpets was born from a long desire to “be his own boss.”
“I thought about opening my own business for years,” Sadowski said. “I’ve been in the carpet cleaning business for years, but I like being my own boss now.”
In January, Sadowski found himself out of a job following lay-offs with his previous employer. He and his wife, Jacqueline, had a small nest egg set aside that they used to begin Sadowski’s dream.
“It took us about $14,000 to start the business,” Sadowski said. “But we run an inexpensive business with no overhead and by working out of my home.”
Currently, Sadowski averages two homes a week. He said he hopes to increase that number to two to three homes a day. Originally, Sadowski looked into franchising with Oxy Clean and Dalworth, but found that the two companies didn’t fit with his personality.
Sadowski set out to create a company that suited him. He bought the equipment needed to do both hot water extraction and dry encapsulation carpet cleaning. He said he also set his prices to be competitive with other companies.
“The name of my company came from the idea that I can do both forms of carpet cleaning,” Sadowski said. “I can also match others’ prices because I don’t have fees or employees.”
Throughout the process of creating his business, Sadowski said his wife’s support has given him the courage to move forward with the business during tough times in the process.
“My wife is my rock, she’s the stable one,” Sadowski said. “My wife and I are very conservative and don’t live beyond our means, but when I finally realized that I did want to get out of the corporate world, she encouraged me. We do everything together; it’s just natural for us.”
While Sadowski has not set his expectations for the business too high, he has set specific goals for the company. His goals are to work with realtors and book more commercial jobs. He said he wants to get customers for life.
“I believe in honesty and integrity,” Sadowski said. “I don’t think I’m the typical mindset of someone who would start their own business. I don’t have a sales mentality, but I’m very detailed and organized and I want to be professional.”
First time entrepreneurs Tracy and Richard Alvord have always wanted to start their own business. Their idea began to get serious during the summer months when Tracy Alvord took a candle-making class.
“We saw advantages because of the economy,” said Richard Alvord. “We saw lots of lease space available and decided to go for it.”
The Bean Sprout officially opened Nov. 2, satisfying the Alvords’ desire. The store offers hand-made soy candles and gifts.
“This is something fun that we can do together,” Alvord said. “We enjoy doing stuff together.”
The Alvords say they believe the private sector will get the economy back on track. Through savings and a loan the two set out to be part of the solution.
“The private sector has always driven this country,” Alvord said. “We think the economy will come back. We’re optimistic about that.”
The Alvords have set high standards and expectations for their business. They have a goal to turn a profit in six months and believe that the timing of their opening is perfect.
“We want to turn a profit as soon as possible,” Alvord said. “Because of the holiday season, we think can speed up the process.”
For information visit www.smartoffice.pro, www.CHOICE-CarpetCleaning.com and www.beansproutcandleco.com.
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