Cindy Merx of Potosi, Mo., participated in Operation  Bootstrap and shortly afterward she opened Sweet Memories Sandwich Shop and Catering in Potosi.

“At first, my business was just all local, here in Potosi,” she said.  “Now I have people calling me from outside Washington County, so I know my name is getting out there.”  

Cindy says that the training classes were helpful to her because she learned to look at the business plan in a different way.  She felt she was helpful to the other class members because she was able to provide some personal insight into business ownership.  Cindy and her husband, David, already owned a convenience store and gas station and she said with that business, she had no type of business plan. In fact, she said,  “my husband quit his job and we opened the doors (of the convenience store) the next day.”   Reiterating that very little prior planning went into the convenience store.

Because of this, Cindy said she was excited to learn about Operation Bootstrap. She wanted to learn how to have a plan before starting the Sweet Memories business.  She also had little to no marketing and advertising strategies with her first business.  Again, the entrepreneurial training class gave her advertising ideas and she said she now knows how to go about marketing her products, services and herself. 
  
 Cindy’s business plan had enough potential that she was awarded the full amount of grant funding--$5000.  She was able to purchase chafing pans for her catering business, a grill, char broiler and dessert cooler, she said.

"This class is a wake-up call for those thinking about starting a business," Cindy said. "Planning is vital if you want to succeed in the business world, and this class prepares you to take that next step."

Today, Cindy said she works seven days a week sometimes and doesn’t take too many vacations.  Still, she doesn’t regret a day in the last four years.  

“I’m doing what I love and that’s all that matters.”

For more information please visit www.ozarkhickbilly.com/sweetmemories.

Printer-friendly

E-mail this page to a friend