Friday, July 30, 2010
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| 6/23/2009 11:19:00 AM |
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Hurricane man realizes dream of business ownership
Jim Hale
For The Putnam Standard
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| Six years ago, Richard Shell of Hurricane followed his lifelong dream and became owner of his own business - Budget Blinds. PHOTOS BY JIM HALE |
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HURRICANE - According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate has grown throughout 2009, reaching 9.4 percent in May of this year. With the employment market becoming smaller, new opportunities are slow coming to the jobless.
Self-employment is often one choice that people must consider. But knowing if self-employment is for you, is only one of the questions that arises in this thought process. Other questions may be: Is the timing right to open a business? What type of business should I open? Are there people that can help advise me in my decision?
Small business owner Richard Shell of Hurricane faced these same issues six years ago.
Shell worked at Columbia Gas in Charleston in the company's information technology and finance departments for a total of 20 years.
Shell said, "I've always had a fire in my belly to do my own thing."
Shell went on to say that "However, I was risk-averse and afraid to venture out of my comfort zone."
This fear held Shell from his dream.
But things began to change just after a corporate merger at Columbia Gas.
Shell then got busy with an introspection process with the intent of leaving Columbia Gas. Working on his MBA degree at the time, it became increasingly difficult to concentrate on his studies as his dream of owning his own business kept resurfacing.
"I just kept thinking about what I wanted to do" said Shell.
One night the thought process became so intent that Shell literally pushed aside his books and began to list all the jobs he had held since high school and what he like about each job and also what he disliked.
"From that list" says Shell, " I found a recurring theme. I enjoyed the creative parts of each job and I enjoyed working with people and helping them accomplish their goals."
Another part of the process says Shell, is looking at where you live and where you want your family to be.
In Shell's case, he liked where he lived and wanted to stay local.
Shell began investigating the right blend of these elements by reading entrepreneur magazines like INC. and subscribing to e-mail lists pertaining to businesses.
These e-mail lists brought in as many as 200 e-mails a day. One day Shell came across Budget Blinds, and the sales pitch was something he felt he should look into.
Shell said, "You must consider what will work in the area you are wanting to start your business. The housing industry has remained pretty strong here."
Shell called the company and requested a copy of their UFOC document.
A "UFOC" is an abbreviation for Uniform Franchise Offering Circular, which is a legal document franchisors must give franchisees.
"I read through it (UFOC), called them, then flew out there(California) to meet with the founders. When I left California, I knew that was what I wanted to do" said Shell.
It is clear that the planning has paid off to Shell's benefit. Out of the over 1,100 franchises in the Budget Blind network, Shell's Cross Lanes location has scored some impressive numbers.
In the last two years alone local monthly sales have placed him in the top five among other regional franchises in four separate occasions. One month in 2008 he placed 4th in the nation.
Self-employment has given Richard Shell financial success but also has allowed him to enact principles he had pushed for many years in the large corporate world.
"At times I was frustrated because of the procedure people wanted to follow, that it was only used because they had always done it that way" Shell said. He believes managers should empower those under them, by giving them tools that would allow them to make the decision on their own.
Shell suggested a few helping tools for others thinking about self-employment.
The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the U.S. Small Business Administration allows you to make needed connections.
Shell told of presenting his business plan to the SBDC, "I went to them when I was seeking a loan. I put together a great colorful plan. They in turn gave me some questions to ask Budget Blinds. I followed their lead, got the answers and was approved for the loan."
"Those that are considering a small business need to use the resources available" said Shell. "Do what you do best, and let professionals do other things for you" Shell added.
When asked what is the best advice you can give others thinking of self-employment, Shell replied, "Follow your heart. Find out what drives you. It may not be what you are known for. You may end in something you never dreamed you would be in. This is what happened to me. Anyone that knew me before, thought I would be in business, but never dreamed it would be this business. But it's who I am."
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