Does a mission statement really matter? (Part 2)

In the last post, the outlining of the success stories from the Piedmont Community College (PCC) Small Business Program, left off as we were about to showcase the individual business successes. To recap, the concept of having a mission statement and how the movie Jerry Maguire, many years back, told the story of the moral delima a sports agent had when his company wasn’t focusing enough on its clients but only on making more and more money without really considering the impact of the individuals.

So we pick up with how mission statements relate to the the small business world with an overview of the small businesses that have been working through the PCC program with NCVA Media and realizing their mission statements.

The businesses that have participated in the program have by example, proven that the extra efforts of investing time to embrace their mission and take on the challenges and opportunities, are all worth it. Here are a few success stories we have together experienced so far.

OD on Coffee, owned by Vanessa Osbourne – When we first began with Vanessa, she was getting all the details on her point of purchase software moving along smoothly and determining which offerings available were right for her shop. With her background in restaurant management and her approach to inventory management it is no surprise that in no time, OD on Coffee outgrew the tiny retail space in Uptown Roxboro. Now at their new location, complete with drive through, at 701 Main Street. OD on Coffee has recently secured a liquor license and are on the way to amazing new ways to grow their coffee community.

Ginger Hearts, created by owner Sandra Long, is a refreshing story of how a professional office worker made a change to more meaningful work where she could offer special custom crafted crosses in remembrance of loved ones. That coupled with her botanical oil offerings provided her with a unique way to engage with others. Sandra sold her items at An Artisan’s Emporium in Roxboro but her goal was to secure a physical shop of her own. You may have seen her new location at 731 Durham Road. where she now offers her products to the community and also serves special teas and beverages.

Another small business in the area, Bucks & Bass Caswell Outdoors, came to the PCC Small Business Center looking for guidance on expanding their service offerings. Keavy Isaacs was able to counsel and refer them into the Marketing & Mentoring program. NCVA Media and the Bucks & Bass team worked together to develop a new service offering to meet the needs of outdoor enthusiasts in and visiting Caswell for hunting and fishing. With plans to target the additional traffic passing through Caswell County to the new Ceasars Virginia Casino Resort, the Bucks and Bass team are strategically targeting this clientele.

Misty Hoeback, owner of Redefining Beauty, offering professional esthetician services, has taken an intentional leap from a corporate career in order to find a more satisfying role. Misty spent considerable time researching options for a career change with the goal of finding one that would provide her with the ability to not only make a living, but more deeply engage with people and the community. She needed to feel like she was making a real difference vs. being part of a cog in a larger corporate wheel.

After making the decision to become an esthetician, she attended training for the required certification. Having started out in a salon setting in Uptown Roxboro, Misty has now rented her own space at 31 Abbitt Street in Roxboro, where she is servicing clientele offering a full range of esthetician services and is also leasing spaces for hair stylist professionals.

An Artisan’s Emporium, mentioned above as providing a starting point for Ginger Hearts, also was a part of the M&M Program. If you are not familiar with them, in Hall’s Way, this unique shop serves as a curator of many artisans, artists makers and entrepreneurs works and provides a marketplace from which they can sell their items. Without partners like these, the Person County small business community would be at a loss. Owner Carol White spends countless hours working to help in marketing the fine works of her vendor/artists by creating posts and a positive buss about all the wonderful and unique gift ideas. Carol shared, in the program “we increased our social media effectiveness and designed a working web page. Brainstorming options and following up on progress was very helpful.” Every business (not unlike every professional athlete as depicted in Jerry Maguire) could use a marketing agent in their corner to help position their talents in the best possible light. Just as Rod and Jerry discussed in the famous locker room scene you may remember…’help me help you, help me help you, help me help you!”

These are just a few of the stories that are being written as individuals come through the doors of the Small Business Center of Piedmont Community College and tie into the M&M program. Other businesses involved in the Marketing & Mentoring Program so far include Nerdibles, Tucker’s Turf, Unkink Me Massage Services, 1Up Tech Services and the Wise Howel Financial Training. Two newer participants include Diamond Panes Window Cleaning and Chef OBs Catering and Café. These other businesses will be featured in the next issue.

Congratulations to these entrepreneurs and others that continue to participate in the opportunities that contribute to the overall economic development of the region. With the business owners willing to take the risk to provide a service, product or offering; the resource of the community college in providing these free services to the businesses; and the partnership of the business community via NCVA Media, there is a win-win for all. And one of the key quotes from Jerry Maquire … “ The key to this business is personal relationships’, rings true for all of us and it all starts with a mission statement.

NCVA Media co-owner, Amanda Hodges, is a professional marketing consultant having spent over twenty-five years in the corporate advertising, marketing and communications industry working for an international advertising agency. She now enjoys her work assisting small businesses in their marketing efforts to grow their businesses and reach their specific goals. She also dedicates time to assisting in Caswell County by serving on the Local Foods Council, Caswell County Historical Association and promoting the new Tourism Development Authority in Caswell.

By Amanda Hodges, as published in Hyco Lake Magazine, River City Area Magazine and SoBo Halifax Magazine, Fall 2024