March  2008

Success Stories

Darrel Podzemny

Darrel is the owner of Storm-Track-Shelters, Inc.  He builds, sells and installs tornado and hurricane shelters with both underground and above ground safe rooms.  Darrel and his family have been in business for over nine years and recently increased it by adding four more employees.  In 2007, the company received a $75,000 business grant from the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation as the winner of the Enterprize Challenge and they received the Top Small Business Award.  The SBDC assisted Darrel with his business plan for the Enterprize Challenge competition.

Owner - Darrel Podzemny

Location - 5000 Viewpoint Avenue

Phone - 806-373-2640

Employs -  12 Full-Time and

                      3 Part-Time

Contact Us

SBDC
701 S Taylor  Suite L118
Amarillo, TX 79101
806-372-5151

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Affiliations

Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.

WTAMU Small Business Development Center is a member of the
Northwest Texas SBDC Region Network.

Accredited by the Association of Small Business Development Centers

Building Business Buzz

What’s the buzz on your business? Do you know what customers are saying?  Here are five tips to build the buzz that can help your business succeed.

1.  Know your customers.  It sounds simple, but the more you know, the better you can meet your customers’ needs and bolster your success. Don’t be afraid to ask about their preferences. Offer a short questionnaire or a suggestion box.  If your clients are young, try new forms of media. Create a blog.  If your customers are older, more traditional media—such as coupons, mailers, or ads—will be more effective. Use E-mail with customers who want to receive it.

2.  Guard your good name. If you promise service, make sure you deliver it.  Think of your entire team as part of marketing and sales... from the person who answers the phone to the one who makes the deliveries. They all represent you, contribute to customer satisfaction, and help build your success.  Be careful not to cross the lines that offend customers or the public.  Not all buzz is good buzz.

3.  Stay fresh.  Nothing is more boring than yesterday’s news. Your store front windows, website, ads, and mailings should be updated regularly to attract and maintain customer interest. Holidays, local events, and change of seasons provide opportunities for putting a fresh face on promotions.

4.  Build networks.  Be a part of the community, through a local Chamber of Commerce or the merchants association. Sponsor a softball league, a school event, or a charity project. Have a wine tasting or art show in your own business setting. If you’re trying to reach Generation X, consider interactive media such as You Tube or Facebook.

5.  Track your success.  Whatever tacks you take to market your business, keep track of your investment—both time and money—as well as tactics, feedback, and results. Build on your success. Refine what works and eliminate what doesn’t. Keep building the buzz that works best for you.

For the Complete Story - Building Business Buzz by Bonnie Friedman

Sales Tax Seminar

Do you know the state tax laws applicable to your business?  The Texas State Comptrollers Office and the SBDC invite you to attend a free public seminar to discuss such issues as:

For more information about Envision '08

$225 per person

   Quote of the Month

A lot of successful people are risk-takers. 

Unless you’re willing to do that – to have a go,

fail miserably, and have another go, success won’t happen.

Phillip Adams, Australian writer and radio broadcaster

END
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Copyright 2008 by WTAMU SBDC