My Entrepreneurial Adventures
As you might therefore expect, entrepreneurship is a passion for me. I started two small business consulting firms, one in 1986 and the other in 1993. Business Development Services, Inc. is almost 16 years old now. My idea for this business came from my great passion for entrepreneurs, developed while working in banking. I just loved hearing their stories, but hated to say "no" when they needed financing for their ideas. So BDS is involved in market research, as well as business and strategic planning for private businesses, and nonprofit organizations, and communities interested in economic development. This helps the businesses to document themselves to the point that they can get financing. My husband, Tom, (who is a "compulsive" entrepreneur and well liked by Ripon College students) became involved in 1988. BDS grew to around 12 employees by 1993. We sold BDS in 2001 in order to make more time for the college, but I am still involved with the organization as a consultant. I like to share my business experience with students, so I will probably always be somewhat involved in the private sector.
Commercial Credit Consultants, the other consulting practice, was acquired by Wisconsin Business Development Finance Corporation in 1996. CCC is involved in loan packaging and other financial services for banks. The whole idea of CCC was to help bankers to wade through the bureaucracy and paperwork involved with governmental financing programs such as the Small Business Administration, Department of Commerce, etc. The idea for this business came from my observation that the banks still often could not help the entrepreneurs, even if they had well documented studies and plans. The governmental financing programs mitigate the risk for the bank in helping a new or rapidly expanding business, but they are often either difficult to access or require specialized knowledge to know how to combine them. Tom was very instrumental in growing this business, and he continues to work with them.
The third business, Avery Farms, Inc. d/b/a Cedar Ridge Ranch is our labor of love. Cedar Ridge is home to 30 horses, including seven of our own. We board, give riding lessons, offer a corporate retreat program, and give wagon and carriage rides. My husband and both teenage sons are more active in this business than I am. I have had a passion for horses since I was old enough to say the word, and always dreamed of having my own stable. Well, you have to be careful what you wish for, or you'll be mucking stalls at AM! Seriously, I hope that all business students will come to recognize that entrepreneurship truly can make personal dreams come true!