The Power of Small Business in Community PT. 2

By: Angie Stryker

I had the awesome opportunity to sit down with three of our WEDO Media Inc. advertisers who are celebrating one year anniversaries this summer. These were the questions I wanted to know the answers to in our time together:

First of all - so many congrats! You made it to the one year mark.

I've seen a few stats  — 18 - 23% of small businesses fail within one year...

1. What do you attribute to your success this year?

2. What is something you wish you knew about running a small business that you know now?

3. What has been the most rewarded thing/what you love about running a small business at Lake Wedowee?

4. What are you excited about for year number 2?

5. Can you imagine doing this business anywhere else? In other words, what is special about Wedowee?

6. What would you like to say to your fans?

7. What is something that people may not know about your business?

Here are some of the stories I heard. I hope you are as touched as I was.

Wake N Shake

Dawn Timmons, co-owner of Wake n Shake with husband David Timmons, sat down with me for a brief conversation during some down time at our favorite little donut and coffee shop (and ice cream!). When I asked her questions about her experience over the past year, she gushed with pride, not about what she had accomplished, but about the people - the customers, the staff, the town and the other business owners.

Dawn says so much of their success is due to community support and to her staff who give as much creativity and ideas for the shop as she does. She also acknowledges a ton of hard work and putting in the hours.

She has learned a few things along the way as well. She says, "The return on investment is not as quick as you think or hope it will be. As business owners, you put in so much time and money and it takes awhile for that to come back to you." She also says that food service is its own animal - knowing as much as you can about it before jumping in is absolutely advised!

She loves the regulars who come in. Knowing their names and what they like and getting to know their children and grandchildren. Dawn and David adore their staff and treat them like family. Some of the young people that work there come and hang out when they aren't on shift - that's how much they love being there.

It's hard to even begin to think about year 2 after surviving the summer months but Dawn is looking forward to programming and community events at the shop. She hopes to grow their little business into other towns at some point in the future but only because Wedowee has embraced them so well. She cannot imagine having started anywhere else, saying that is has been the perfect beginning.

To the fans, she wants you to know in all caps, "WE LOVE YOU". They are so grateful for their customers and their regulars. Dawn has always wanted this kind of shop and so when people come in and say things like, "We're so glad you are here", or "That hot donut is so unique!", or, "There is no one else like you!" - it makes her so happy.

Our readers may not know that Wake N Shake is also a coffee shop, offering all the milk options, syrups, cold foam flavors, cold brew, lattes, cappuccinos, americanos that you can invent! I personally recommend the Iced Chai oat milk latte with one pump lavender with or without an espresso shot (depends on how the day is going..). They are also constantly updating their menu. They have their Snownado, their own personal "spin" on the blizzard. They have breakfast items like breakfast burritos and the breakfast donut. They have protein smoothies for your post workout treat with 27 grams of whey protein, no sugar added, almond milk for low carb count with frozen fruit. Yum!

Wake n Shake is located at 108 St. S, Wedowee, AL 36278

Wedowee Animal Hospital

I have to admit, as someone who "isn't from here," I didn't know Breanna Yarbrough. I knew who she was and I had met James a few times, as the vet at another establishment. Spending time with Breanna in her office was such a lovely time. We could have chatted all day!

I learned the heart and soul of the Wedowee Animal Hospital. I saw first hand how important prayer is to the team. I heard the love and the passion for animals and for caring for them and their owners well. I discovered how important community engagement is for them.

In the beginning of the hospital, Breanna and James Yarbrough stood right there and prayed asking God that he would help them do what they are supposed to here. They want to take good care of animals, but they feel they have a responsibility to serve the community as well. Together they remodeled the whole place with the help of friends and family.

Breanna has learned and seen just how gifted James is with the people and the animals. She knew he had a passion for all things animal. He "eats, sleeps, and breathes veterinary medicine," as she says. But now that they are in business together, she sees it everyday. When he needs to learn something about a new animal - they once had a camel that needed some attention - he researches it at night when he comes home to make sure he gets it right. James spends quality time with each animal and owner, even when his staff rushes him along knowing the waiting room is full.

They try to keep their prices low, knowing their clients' needs. After one year she says, "We had no idea how hard running a business would be. And how much it would be a whole family affair. We also didn't know how much a small business relies on the community. We need them and they need us to be engaged as well." She also wishes they had done this sooner. James has found his niche and it has been such a blessing for him. He has flourished here, surrounded by his people and his family and his community.

For the next year they are looking forward to rhythms. Understanding a little better what to expect, when the calendar is full and when it isn't.

Breanna works another job but is also the back office support for the hospital. She gives a lot of credit to her staff. They have a wonderful trio working with Skye. Skye has been working with James for many years in many different settings. She's a fantastic vet tech who is like frontline triage AND she can handle the office. His vet assistants, Emma and Lacey, are invaluable to the care and treatment of the animals, and the cleaning staff, Carmen and Anna, keep the clinic in good order to ensure efficiency and cleanliness. They all work well together, something James and Breanna consider a blessing.

The community brings gifts and gift baskets and cakes and treats to celebrate the staff for the love and care they give their pets. All of that is very telling about how the community feels about their new little animal hospital and the people who care for their precious pets!

Wedowee Animal Hospital is located at 794 W Broad St, Wedowee, AL 36278. Photography for Wedowee Animal Hospital provided by Little E Photography.

The Range

I get the joy of spending quality time with Tricia Jones, the co-owner of The Range with her husband Michael, weekly. And what a treat. If you don't know Tricia, march right in and introduce yourself so that you can be blessed by her smile and her enthusiastic and caring nature.

Tricia and Michael have had The Range, a top golf style driving range, opened in the Wedowee area for a year. They have owned a construction company together for many years. This is a new endeavor for them, as they have come to the area to live here full time. As avid golfers, this was a dream come true.

When I asked about the success of the past year, Tricia says it's all due to prayer, sweat, determination and an incredibly supportive community. Way to go Wedowee! They can't even imagine doing this anywhere else. The people have been so genuine and incredible. She also mentions that she has never experienced so many wonderful entrepreneurs. The kindness and sense of community here in Wedowee is something you can feel. So many people — whether they are visiting or here full time - call this their "happy place". That is something very special.

She wishes that everyone knew that, "If you want to fill a need in this community and become an active part of this town that you will be genuinely welcomed." Their favorite part about running this business here in Wedowee is the experience of the joy the families and friends gathering and making memories together. For year 2 they are looking forward to getting the word out even more about their fun place and to continue being a part of this community.

To their fans, "Thank you just doesn't seem to embody enough of how we feel. Every person that has visited or supported us in any way is a blessing beyond measure, truly! Some people that we have met through this business have become dear friends and that's been one of the loveliest surprises!"

You may not know that they have a League Night on Thursdays from 6 - 8 pm. They created this league with so many regular single players coming to play. They wanted a way to connect these individuals. It has become a really fun part of the week. And you are invited!

The Range is located at 1310 County Road 269 Wedowee, Al 36278

To be an entrepreneur is something special. It's not always seen as such, but think about it - without those brave people starting things - where would we be? Entrepreneurs are amazing because they can see the vision of an idea playing out in front of them AND they have the courage and the boldness to start something even with the naysayers can be quite loud.

The Wedowee area is blessed by the power of small businesses. This is one of the things that sets us apart. Our town and surrounding Wedowee area is full of businesses that beat the odds and provide something unique to our community. Quick examples:

- A lifestyle magazine was created 17 years ago because there was nothing in the area promoting Lake Wedowee. Now, the family-owned business publishes two state-wide publications and will launch a third in 2025.

- Against all odds a winery and now brewery opened when the county was dry up until 2012.

-Two couples who love the area started selling their barbeque and delicious brisket and then taught themselves how to make ice cream (that now wins awards across the country).

- An old run down eyesore of a motel was turned into a lovely, luxury hotel in town complete with bus rides to surrounding towns for events and restaurants.

-Two childhood friends swore to each other that they would create businesses in Wedowee one day as adults and now we have a perfect donut-milkshake-coffee shop AND the old dollar store turned into the loveliest of office bays to rent.

- A kitchen counter experiment has turned into a national selling candle brand.

- A couple who love golf has brought a top golf style range to the area with plans to rebuild a 9 hole course.

- And many more!

All in a town of 750 ish people? Wedowee is quite special.

We want to see that continue. The nonprofit Frameworks Lab celebrates all things WORK. When work is an extension of play, creativity abounds and small business come to life and communities win.

Frameworks Lab will be hosting a facilitated class this fall at the Britton House (our magazine office), 104 W Broad Street, every Tuesday for women who have a business idea or a business that is two years old or less. The class is to facilitate spending time on your business instead of just in your business.

With 10 classes centered around the business canvas, the Co.Starters class is a great way to focus on everything from who is your customer, to what is your story, to the financials behind good business ownership, and everything in between.

Materials are $350 per person. If you know a local woman who has a young business or wants to start one, please encourage them to reach out the Angie Stryker, who will be facilitating the course as a volunteer, at 470-295-6525.

5:00 to 8:00 PM Tuesdays

September 3, 10, 17

October 1, 8, 15, 22

November 5, 12, 19

December 3