Beginning with a garage-based youth sports fitness center, Major Frederick Alcazar, USAF, Ret., went from training four student-athletes to 40 between June 2020 and January 2021. Due to the growth trajectory, Frederick and his wife, Heather, searched for a larger facility to accommodate them. Starting their search, they turned to the Oklahoma SBDC for help. Business Advisor Larry Siebert assisted them with financial research and projections for any potential facilities. As the couple evaluated their options, they originally planned to lease space to cut down on start-up costs. However, due to the lack of available lease spaces, Frederick and Heather decided to build their own. With this decision, Larry suggested a more detailed business plan and assisted with information to make a lending application.
"Mr. Siebert has always been a great and reliable resource and mentor as we grew our business and planned for our future. He drew our attention to REI as a financial source and has supplied great knowledge to help us succeed. Mr. Siebert truly cares about our business and helping us succeed."
By March 2021, the couple had located two plots of land in Piedmont, Oklahoma. Planning started so all the needed details for financial projections and the lending request could move forward; however, issues with contractors, subcontractors, and architects caused problems early on. Despite the setbacks, the number of student-athletes attending Frederick's fitness center grew to 78 by May 2021. Throughout this process, Larry continued to assist the Alcazars with additional planning, financial projections, and opportunity assessments. By September 2022, the construction loan was approved, and work on the new facility began soon after.
Thanks to community marketing initiatives and word-of-mouth, the number of client athletes had increased to 197 by the time construction was underway. During the year of construction, Larry was available for support and guidance. Czar Athletics will hold its official grand opening ceremony on June 4th, 2023. By October 2023, the number of athletes attending the new sports performance center had risen to 380. Frederick is excited about his growing business and appreciates Larry's assistance. He also understands that Larry and the entire OKSBDC are available as questions arise in the future.
When searching for ways to enhance their accounting skills, Sands Inn owners Vik and Jenny Desai first heard about the Oklahoma SBDC in 2019. The couple had expanded over the years and owned several hotels in Western Oklahoma. While these hotel owners were successful, they recognized the importance of evaluation and assistance from an outside team. In working with Oklahoma SBDC, the business strengthened administrative and accounting processes. The COVID-19 pandemic began soon after and would hinder their business, causing them to continue their relationship with the SBDC for guidance in navigating relief programs and for strategic planning in moving their business forward. Beyond the lockdowns, Jenny and Vik Desai continued to work with the SBDC into 2022 to improve their business internally.
“It’s like a multi-tool, you have your knife, your scissors, and your pliers, the Oklahoma SBDC has the marketing, the banking, the company culture. I mean, literally any other question we’ve had, they’ve had an answer or a resource to go check out. So, again, the Oklahoma SBDC is the most important tool in my toolbelt... They love to help people, and it shows immediately… reaching out to somebody like the Oklahoma SBDC, who has helped a lot of businesses, will help you realize that you’re not the only one, you’re not alone…”
Then, Business Advisor, Dana Hugle and Business Advisor, Ben Evans worked together to assist the Desais by providing guidance on HR best practices, company culture improvement, insurance company research, and EIDL payment and procedure navigation. In addition, the SBDC also assisted with employee training, further HR development, and a review of guest policy for Sands Inn.
As a result, the Desais successfully navigated the pandemic and utilized relief programs. In addition, as they worked with the advising team, guest satisfaction increased, and employee turnover decreased for Sands Inn. While they had led a successful business in the hospitality industry for some time, working with the SBDC gave the Desais a fresh, new perspective and encouraged them to continue growing.
Jennifer Long, a family life studies graduate of the University of Oklahoma and a foster care professional, was interested in the franchising opportunities with the company We Rock the Spectrum. Providing inclusive gyms for special needs children, We Rock the Spectrum was the perfect fit for Jennifer's passions, and after three years of researching franchising opportunities with the company, Jennifer registered for advising with the Oklahoma SBDC, seeking assistance with financial projections, business plan preparations, and SBA loan applications.
"OKSBDC was always quick to respond. They were there to answer any and all questions. If they didn't know the answer, they knew how to find it! As a first time business owner, I really appreciated the support I received from the OKSBDC."
Working with Business Advisor Claudia Pannell, Jennifer worked on the needs of the business. She began by filing the required forms and paperwork with the state and working to hire a professional team for her business. The final task was the acquisition of funding to open their facility. After researching multiple funding options, Jennifer and her husband, Robert, applied for a loan in the spring of 2023. The couple was confident in their application since they had a fully developed business and financial plan.
The Longs' loan was approved and funded, so they opened their We Rock the Spectrum location soon after. The facility aims to provide children with sensory processing disorders with a fun and safe place to exercise, stay active, and socialize. Since the opening of their business, the Longs have been committed to supporting their local community and providing an inclusive environment for the children of Yukon, Oklahoma.
