unleashing
national impact
igniting local
transformation
BioPet, headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, stands at the forefront of innovative solutions using biotechnology, revolutionizing the pet management landscape since its inception in December 2008. With a mission to aid apartment managers and town administrators in enforcing pooper-scooper regulations, BioPet Vet Lab introduced PooPrints, a groundbreaking DNA-based system. This system, which collects saliva swabs from dogs in participating areas, has become a pivotal tool in identifying and holding accountable those who disregard community cleanliness standards.
Recognizing the potential for global impact, BioPet sought assistance from the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) at Pellissippi State Community College (PSCC). The company's objectives were clear: to explore export markets, secure capital funding for a new facility, and recruit interns from PSTCC to bolster their laboratory workforce.
"As BioPet continues to grow and expand its operations, we are immensely grateful for our partnership with TSBDC at Pellissippi State Community College. They have proven to be an invaluable resource on numerous fronts and are accessible and responsive to the needs of what is an unusual business. They understand our mission and have shared our story.
During the pandemic, they guided programs, protocols and access to resources, aiding us in navigating through those challenging times. Additionally, they have been instrumental in facilitating our exploration of expanding into international markets by fostering relationships through the U.S. Department of Commerce. Their guidance has extended to assist BioPet secure $3.1M in funding for our property acquisition to open our world headquarters.
The TSBDC has also helped us to add employees to meet the growing demand for our services via intern programs in collaboration with Pellissippi State Community College and build awareness with local universities, including The University of Tennessee and Lincoln Memorial University."
In response, TSBDC at PSCC acted swiftly, collaborating with BioPet and the Department of Commerce to navigate the complexities of international expansion. They provided guidance on the export strategies and facilitated connections crucial for penetrating foreign markets. Additionally, TSBDC played a pivotal role in securing a substantial loan to finance BioPet's facility expansion, enabling the company to realize its vision of a world-class headquarters.
The outcome of this partnership has been nothing short of remarkable. Buoyed by the support of TSBDC, BioPet/Poo Prints successfully acquired and refurbished a new facility, propelling its operations to new heights. With its world headquarters now operational, the company stands poised for exponential growth, projecting to add 30-40 employees in the coming year.
Looking ahead, the TSBDC at PSCC remains steadfast in its commitment to BioPet's success. Recognizing the company's potential for further expansion, the TSBDC pledges ongoing support to facilitate continued growth and market penetration. By fostering a collaborative environment and leveraging strategic partnerships, the TSBDC aims to ensure BioPet's sustained success in the competitive global marketplace.
For BioPet, the future brims with promise and opportunity. With the support of the TSBDC, the company is eager to explore new frontiers. Armed with technology and a steadfast commitment to excellence, BioPet/Poo Prints is poised to leave an indelible mark on the global pet management industry.
Reflecting on their journey thus far, BioPet's owners and leadership teams expressed gratitude for the TSBDC's role in their success. They were consistently impressed by the TSBDC's accessibility, responsiveness, and unwavering dedication to BioPet's mission. From navigating the challenges of the pandemic to securing vital funding for expansion, the support of the TSBDC has been and will continue to be available to BioPet as a resource partner.
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Better Carabiner, a pioneering tech development, emerged on the scene with a revolutionary product designed by Naveen Sharma. The brainchild of an engineer with AutoCAD expertise, Better Carabiner introduced a patented 360-degree, double-headed carabiner that folds onto itself. This innovative design, featuring spring-loaded grates on both ends, serves as a safety lock, ensuring secure attachment and preventing any slips or drops. With applications for outdoor enthusiasts, travelers, and daily tasks at home, Better Carabiner quickly became a versatile and sought-after accessory.
"SBDC is a great resource for small/new businesses like us. During the product development stage, the SBDC team supported us in market research, sales strategy, and finding potential buyers for our product. If they didn't have internal resources for things like legal or accounting, they connected us to outside resources which was very helpful. It is effortless to reach out to the SBDC team and their response is always very prompt."
Approaching the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) in December 2022, Naveen sought assistance with the TSBDC. The TSBDC provided Naveen with extensive industry research and provided guidance and tactics for negotiating various topics such as royalty payment, R&D reimbursement, and more related to the licensing of Naveen's patent. This collaborative effort between Naveen and the TSBDC paved the way for significant success.
The outcome was nothing short of remarkable. Better Carabiner successfully licensed its product to a multi-million-dollar company. Naveen Sharma not only secured a royalty for himself but also positioned Better Carabiner to potentially become a household name product. The strategic decision to partner with a large manufacturer opened doors for the product to reach a broader audience.
Looking ahead, the TSBDC remains committed to supporting Naveen Sharma and Better Carabiner. Recognizing Naveen as a successful inventor, the Center is ready to facilitate new partnerships and endeavors for his future inventions. Leveraging the TSBDC's research capabilities and insights, as well as introductions to programs like PTAC/Apex, Naveen is well-equipped to explore new avenues of innovation and business growth.
For Naveen, the future holds exciting possibilities, with aspirations to see Better Carabiner on the shelves of major retail stores. The successful licensing agreement paved the way for Naveen to dream bigger, turning his invention into a widely recognized and accessible product. The collaboration between Better Carabiner and the TSBDC exemplifies the potential of entrepreneurial spirit combined with strategic support for creating impactful success stories in the business world.
In the picturesque city of Chattanooga, Scenic City Arborists, owned by Chelsea Moore and her husband Benjamin, stands out as a prime example of a women-owned business thriving in the field of tree services. With roots planted on August 1, 2019, Scenic City Arborists was able to blossom using the guidance of lead consultant Josh Brown from the Tennessee Small Business Development Center at Chattanooga State Community College (TSBDC at Chattanooga State).
Recognizing the need to fortify their business acumen, Chelsea turned to the TSBDC for guidance and support. As a women-owned enterprise, they sought assistance in navigating the intricacies of running a successful tree service business.
"Our TSBDC Consultant has served as a valuable mentor to the entire team at Scenic City, supporting our efforts as well as challenging us to take our business to the next level."
The initial focus for Scenic City Arborists was on crafting a robust business plan and developing meticulous financial forecasts. Over time, the scope of their collaboration with the TSBDC at Chattanooga State broadened to encompass diverse areas critical to their success. This included gaining insights into employment regulations, navigating heavy equipment acquisitions, delving into commercial real estate investments, managing human resources, and implementing effective sales and marketing strategies.
The outcome of this comprehensive support has been nothing short of remarkable. Since its inception, Scenic City Arborists has experienced exponential growth, with revenues escalating from $38,000 in the first year to an impressive $600,000 in 2023. The team has expanded to include five full-time and two part-time employees, a testament to the effective strategies implemented with the assistance of the TSBDC. Furthermore, the company has acquired property in Chattanooga, slated to become their new operational hub in the coming year.
Looking ahead, the TSBDC at Chattanooga State plans to continue supporting the success of Scenic City Arborists through extending guidance and training to Benjamin and his supervisory team. The focus will be on refining sales strategies, enhancing overall management capabilities, and addressing any evolving needs the business may encounter.
For Chelsea, the ongoing relationship with Small Business Consultant Josh Brown has been invaluable. Regular engagement, occurring every 4-6 weeks, has allowed Scenic City Arborists to benefit from continuous mentorship. Josh facilitated connections with banks for equipment financing, guided Chelsea in crafting essential documents like employee handbooks, and provided insights into insurance and benefits. Beyond the technical aspects, the consultant engaged in fruitful discussions on funding and financing, contributing to the holistic growth of the business.
