Success Stories
Small Business is OUR BUSINESS!
Family Pharmacy of Perry County, LLC:
Being a pharmacist was a dream of Jamie Chaney Fletcher. Having been born and raised into a family of medical professionals, she was destined to do the same. Jamie’s dream is now a reality. A member of the first graduating class of the University of Appalachia in Grundy, Virginia, she earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2008. On Monday, March 9, 2009, she opened her own retail pharmacy in Hazard, Kentucky: Family Pharmacy of Perry County, LLC. Interestingly, this pharmacy is at the same site as her father’s pharmacy, John’s Pharmacy, operated for years. Family Pharmacy is located at 747 Morton Boulevard, within easy access to area clinics, the ARH hospital and other healthcare facilities. The new pharmacy has been well-received in the community and is thriving in its first month of operations. Jamie is amazed at the volume of customers she has seen thus far. So many, in fact, that she quickly has hired two additional employees just to meet the demand.
Jamie Fletcher utilized the services of the West Liberty Small Business Development Center to assist in accomplishing her dream of business ownership. She was referred to the center by an area bank. Jamie worked with Michael Rodriguez, SBDC Consultant, in developing a business plan and financial projections. According to Rodriguez, “Jamie was a pleasure to work with. Most of the details needed in developing her business plan were already provided. Thanks to Jamie and her attention to detail, she made my role much easier in finalizing her business plan.”
Jamie’s overall mission is to improve the healthcare in the Hazard, Kentucky area by dispensing medications promptly, accurately and with individual care. Family Pharmacy of Perry County, LLC, is also a member of the Good Neighbor Pharmacy network. Continuing her family’s long-standing tradition of service to the Hazard community, Jamie Fletcher and the Family Pharmacy of Perry County, LLC, will have a positive impact on the community and the customers served.
An official grand opening of the pharmacy is scheduled for Friday, April 3, 2009.
Ken's Shoe Clinic :
Chad Damron recently took over a family business that has been located in Pikeville since 1915. The business now called, Ken’s Shoe Clinic was taken over from Ken Damron who operated it for several years. Chad had been to the SBDC on several occasions because he realized a need for change. In the early years, the business had been able to support itself with shoe repairs but as times changed more people began to dispose of their old shoes and buy new ones instead of repairing them. Chad felt he could provide the community with a line of dress shoes and work boots as well as work wear to enhance his business’ income.
About a year ago, he asked a friend and mentor to come to the SBDC to gather information on applying for a loan. The friend gathered the information and helped Chad get organized. When he took the information to the local bank they requested an action plan so they could do the loan as a community express loan. Chad visited the SBDC, a plan was developed and he now has a full line of shoes and work clothing. When he was last contacted by the SBDC, he advised that things were going really well. The business loan allowed him to move his business forward and add additional revenue streams.
