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Judy Wilt is the owner and operator of two local retail stores, Once Upon a Child and Plato’s Closet. Judy had spent fourteen years in retail sportswear merchandising for the Boscov stores. In the 2000, she decided to do research for a retail business that would fit her experience and personality. She discovered a franchise for recycling children’s merchandise that was attractive. This Once Upon a Child concept gives parents the opportunity to bring in outgrown children’s clothing, books, toys, furniture, etc., and either receive cash or trade-in credit.
With help from a SCORE counselor, the franchiser, and many business books, Judy opened Once Upon a Child in August 2001. She attributes the early SCORE assistance for keeping her focus and direction during the critical start-up process. “I really appreciated the support and insistence of the SCORE counselor for stressing the importance and detail of all my financial projections and budgets,” Judy said.
The business grew so quickly that she expanded this store in 2003 and opened a second store, Plato’s Closet in September 2005, which follows the same recycling concept for teens and young adults.
Judy is active in the community as an advisor to other franchisees, President of the Education Committee for Berks Women in Business, and a member of Rotary. She also provides merchandise from the store to the Salvation Army on a weekly basis.
Tech Basement
Tech Basement is a new business venture started jointly by Troy Stanley and Dave Bennett. The business is a full service residential and small business computer retail store, providing computer sales, repair, training, technical support, home or office networking, and on-site services. They are located at 800 North Sixth Street, reading, PA.
One of the many offerings of Tech Basement is a complete computer system that they can provide for $99.00, proudly advertised on one of their two store front windows.
Troy and Dave acquire used systems from businesses where leases have expired on equipment or through asset recovery services. They refurbish these computer systems and make them available for the price tag of $99.00. These systems are popular for small business applications or for families who want to provide this technology to their children for homework and educational enrichment.
Tech Basement has successfully discovered a market niche – and today they have satisfied customers who not only own a complete computer system, but who would otherwise not have been able to afford such level of technology. What a wonderful service to the community.
Troy Stanley is very appreciative for all the help that he and his partner received from the Reading and Berks Chapter of SCORE. “You can’t find what I got from SCORE anywhere else,” extols Troy.
Scrolls and Strings Violin House
Scrolls and Strings Violin House is a full service stringed instrument sales and repair establishment. Owners Jeff Reider, a Master Luthier, and his wife, Shelly, a Restoration craftsperson, started their business in April 2006. The business is located at 608 Penn Avenue, West Reading, PA.
Scrolls and Strings provides sales, repairs, rentals, and appraisals on all stringed instruments, including violin, viola, cello, bass, and mandolin. Their services and expertise include any repair of the bows for these instruments as well.
Jeff and Shelly give a lot of credit for their initial success to Reading and Berks Chapter of SCORE and the SCORE counselors that they were using during this start-up phase. Jeff said, “The SCORE counselors gave us a focus and direction and taught us the value of a business plan.” Shelly added, “I was very impressed with our SCORE experience, especially how they guided us through our early organizational efforts and the actual business opening.”
Jeff and Shelly have created a way to start a successful business combining each of their passions for music, musical instruments, and skilled craftsmanship.
Lullaby Maternity, LLC
Lullaby maternity, LLC was established in 2004 by Teri Weiss-Lohrei. Teri is the only employee, with all manufacturing, packaging and shipping done under subcontract.
Teri Initially targeted only the maternity market with polyurethane memory foam support pillows. The pillows are configured in a set of two joined by a Velcro® strip. The pillows can be used together as a set or individually.
In recent months, Teri has expanded her market to orthopedics, specifically hip, knee and shoulder post surgery support requirements.
Teri was on QVC in May 2007, and is scheduling another showing in the near future. She is also exploring joint venture opportunities with two successful maternity/sleep comfort product companies...one on the west coast and the other on the east coast.
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