SCC Announces Business Plan Winners, Upcoming Event

Franklin - Claire Suminski, owner of Smokey Mountain Video on the Highlands Road in Franklin is the recipient of a year's free membership in the Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce. Southwestern Community College's Business Assistance Center and the Chamber awarded this membership to Suminski for her outstanding business plan.

Claire Suminski some of the stores video selections.

Suminski attended the Rural Entrepreneurship through Action Learning (REAL) course at SCC. REAL is a course taught in a three-day retreat format, followed by several weeks of follow-up classes. This interactive course covers all aspects of starting and operating a successful business. Suminski completed the course in April.

Students vie for the chamber membership in a business plan contest that commences at the completion of the course. Students who submit their business plan to the Business Assistance Center by June 1 are eligible. According to Keith Corbeil and Russ Seagle, lead instructors for the course for the past seven years, this year's crop of students produced high quality plans. This made it difficult to select a winner.
"I have a B.S. degree in business," said Suminski, but this class had a lot of practical information that I didn't get with my undergraduate degree. We covered marketing, breakeven analysis, insurance, current trends in business, and had some great guest speakers."

SCC's Business Training Coordinator, Keith Corbeil, the Suminski family (L to R) Joe, Annie, Jamy Beth, Jerome, Molly, and Claire Suminski, Franklin Chamber Administrative Assistant Diane Baldwin, SCC Small Business Director Russ Seagle.

Husband Joe Suminski, who did not attend the course, was equally impressed. "We've incorporated quite a few things she learned from the class. I've also been impressed with the quality of Claire's fellow students. They are exceptional people-a real asset to our community."

The business plan, written by Claire and Joe, included input from family members and all of their seven employees. The Suminskis believe in treating their employees as owners, and everyone plays an important role in the business. Claire says, "Strong family businesses have a major impact on shaping the community."

That drive to shape the community in a positive way is a large contributor to the Suminskis' success. When asked if advances in computer download capability or Internet competitors such as Netflix are a concern, the Suminskis are confident in their approach to business. "We have a special appeal. People like our personal touch. Our customers enjoy relaxing and exploring movies. We're even converting a few people back from competitors like Netflix." Joe appreciates that, "When people spend their money here, it stays in western North Carolina."

As the only locally owned video store in Franklin, Smokey Mountain Video is a successful part of this successful family. Claire attributes much of her devotion to customer knowledge and her advocacy for fresh ideas to the REAL program. "Sure, it's a good course for folks wanting to start a business, but people need to go back and take it again after starting. There's so much more to learn."

This year, Suminski shared the Best Business Plan Award with Pam Haddock of Signature Brew in Sylva. Signature Brew is a roaster and wholesaler of organic Fair Trade coffees from around the world.

Small business owners and would-be entrepreneurs can meet the Suminskis, Haddock, and other REAL alumni, and find out more about the REAL program at the annual REAL alumni picnic starting at 5:00 p.m. on September 10 at Sylva's Poteet Park. For information on this fun and informative gathering, contact Keith or Russ at the Business Assistance Center at 828.349.1278.

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