Conflicts in decision making are all too common for small family owned businesses like Elite Auto Collision. Between the mother, father, son, and daughter team, procedural methods were becoming blurred. Matriarch Sandra Baker-Assemi decided that to clear the air and ensure a successful future, she would reach out to her local SBDC for help.
Baker-Assemi met with SBDC consultant Michele Burkart in 2012 to discuss mitigating the internal strain within Elite Auto Collision and how to promote future growth. “She wanted to really restructure the company and realized that updating of her financial information was a key to accomplishing this.” Burkart noted.
With Burkart’s help, Elite Auto Collision created a plan to accomplish their goal. First they compiled a list of banks in the area, learning the eligibility rules for SBA loans. Burkart advised them on what business plan software to purchase in order to make financial presentations that ultimately secured the financing they needed.
Baker Assemi is a true believer in how SBDC helps small businesses. “We consider the SBDC to be a part of our success strategy.” By getting an outside opinion on their next steps, Elite Auto Collision refocused and reinvigorated the company. Elite Auto Collision continues to seek better ways to increase profitability and market share through innovative marketing initiatives, and the SBDC is at their side every step of the way.