Orem SBDC Success Stories: August Success Story- Jones Mobile Marine Service, Inc.

Friday, August 1, 2008

August Success Story- Jones Mobile Marine Service, Inc.

Jones Mobile Marine Service, Inc.

Kevin Myers

946 West Utah Avenue, Unit B - Payson, UT 84651

801.427.0668

http://www.jonesmobilemarine.com/

Boating is a huge past time for families in Utah. There are so many beautiful lakes and reserves in this desert; and what better way to spend a day with the family than relaxing on the water in the sun or skiing behind a speeding boat. Kevin Myers grew up with boats around him. As a kid he worked in his dad’s and uncle’s business named Eagle Marine. His goal was to own his own place someday, and that dream came true in 2001 when Eagle Marine closed its doors. Kevin purchased all the inventory and tools from Eagle Marine when it closed, and started his business working out of a garage. He named his business Jones Mobile Marine Service, Inc. He quickly realized that the purchased inventory contained many boat parts manufactured from 1950-1990 parts that are not manufactured any more parts that a boat owner will pay a good price just to find them. This is one of Kevin’s distinct competitive advantages.

Kevin’s start-up year was difficult- because of Kevin’s youth and lack of credit history, banks were unwilling to loan him money. Also, the garage he worked out of was too small for working space and storage. As a result Kevin transformed into a mobile boat service and would work on the boats at the customer’s home. This was difficult, time consuming, inefficient, and expensive for the boat owner. Kevin needed money for a shop location large enough to service multiple boats and store parts. He had his wife Carly contacted Ken Fakler at the Orem Small Business Development Center. Ken helped him create a business plan that resulted in a loan from a local bank. Also, Ken helped him locate a building and forge an acceptable lease with the landlord. The result was that the new efficient business has resulted in a doubling of sales each of the three years he has been in business; the need to purchase a larger building to keep the business growing; and the hiring of his father (who has years of experience) to keep an acceptable turnaround time on contracted work.

The rising price of gas has not affected Kevin’s business. His sales are still climbing and he is still booked one to two weeks out for work. He has added a new service where he picks up and delivers boats to customers; this helps to lock people into doing business with him. When Kevin purchases that new building, he hopes to start selling a line of small fishing boats and will expand his boat trailer services, boat detailing services, and his parts offerings. Also the expansion will help them maintain their personal, attentive service with his customers. Kevin knows what service really means.

With the help of the Orem SBDC, Kevin and Carly are making their dream come true. In passing, Carly just had their second child; nothing like another good family business to make America the most economically advanced country in the history of the world!

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SBDC In The Spotlight

The Orem Small Business Development Center, located just west of Utah Valley University, assists startup business owners and entrepreneurs to navigate the often treacherous waters of becoming self employed. Among the center's staff are (left to right) consultants Eddy Yujra, Marynika Miche , director Ken Fakler, consultant Camille Pendleton, and administrative assistant, Karen Wenn. Michael Rigert - NORTH COUNTY STAFF With the economic turmoil depleting personal finances, displacing employees and forcing some to seek new career paths, more and more Utah County residents are turning to self-employment to support themselves and their families. Floralyn Martinez, a master hair stylist for 17 years, researched the possibility of opening her own salon last summer. It was at that time that she came into contact with the Orem Small Business Development Center located just west of Utah Valley University. She didn't have a clue about the steps to starting her own business."I'm an artist behind the chair, but I'm computer illiterate," she said. "I was either going to start up my own place or go to another salon."A free resource provided to entrepreneurs, startup businesses and existing merchants, the Orem Small Business Development Center is one in a network of such centers across the state tasked with not only helping the self-employed get into business, but stay in business, said Ken Fakler, the Orem center's managing director.Funded through the Small Business Administration, the state of Utah and Utah Valley University, the Orem center assists clients in applying for SBA loans, putting together a business plan, doing market research and strategies, and learning the nuts and bolts of business ownership. It serves clients in both Utah and Wasatch counties.Martinez said Fakler and Orem center consultant Laurie Ann Thomas taught her how to write up a business proposal, where to find resources and apply for funding, and how to navigate the often treacherous waters of self employment.In October, Martinez and her husband, Marcos, opened Katumba's Day Spa and Salon, 1015 S. State St. in Orem, which offers a wide range of services from hair styling, massage therapy, skin care and aesthetics. Their salon employs a full staff of stylists and therapists, and business is slowly but steadily increasing, she said."Ken is absolutely incredible and knows what he's talking about," Martinez said. "It was a huge, huge help. I would say they are a major aspect of getting me started."With the housing slump and high gas and food prices hurting businesses and residents, Fakler said the center has seen a large influx of clients in recent months. From the newly unemployed to people looking to earn some income on the side, the center's clients come from all walks of life and range from college-age students to people in their 70s.The center supports clients who own businesses with dozens of employees to stay-at-home moms who want to take their eBay sales to the next level.The center works with about 35 to 40 new businesses a month, or nearly 500 per year. About 50 percent of the center's clients are women, Thomas said."It's really an entrepreneurial area," she said.Because approximately 80 percent of small businesses go under in the first five years, the center stresses the importance of formulating a strong business plan and funding options as well as forming a long-term relationship with owners to continue to provide advice as their companies grow. The center also offers free classes on a variety of related topics taught by professionals."We have very, very few businesses that go broke if they're doing the things we ask them to do," Fakler said.Just two weeks ago, Martinez said Fakler stopped by her salon to inquire about her business's progress and see if there was anything he could do to help. Without the assistance of resources like the Orem Small Business Development Center, she doubts if she would have taken the risk of living out her dream."I would have probably ended up going to another salon," she said. "I wouldn't have had the guts to try to go out on my own."