Our Mission:
Founded in January 2003,
the Suburban Home-based Business Association is a non-profit organization
dedicated to providing support to individuals starting or growing a profitable home-party plan business.
In a non-competitive environment, we strive to share ideas, network,
advertise and promote our businesses and educate our members.
The following article was published in the Thisweek Rosemount and Thisweek Savage newspapers.
Giving small business owners what they need to succeed
Local organization provides a support system for small business owners in direct sales
Posted: 3/31/06
by Pam Rutyna
Thisweek Newspapers
More than three years ago, the Suburban Home-Based Business Association (SHBBA) was founded to provide support to small business owners. However, it may never have been formed if it wasn't for a local open house.
In November 2002, a group of entrepreneurs were planning to hold an open house for direct sales vendors. They were looking for inexpensive promotion and Kay Thibodeaux volunteered to place the open house in the local newspaper's community calendar.
"When I first called the newspaper, I was told that you had to be an organization in order to be placed in the community calendar section," said Thibodeaux. "I started to panic because I had promised to find advertising."
Thibodeaux's husband told her that she should become an organization called the "South of the River Home-based Business Group." It worked and the item was placed.
Shortly thereafter, the Thibodeauxs went on vacation. While away, she received a message from Greg VanGompel, who was interested in joining the group.
"When I called him back, I just started ad-libbing when he asked me about the group," she said. "If it wasn't for Greg's interest, I don't think we would have started this group."
The first meeting was held in January 2003. Throughout that year, Thibodeaux organized a number of speakers, but said the group wasn't focused enough to draw a large, stable membership.
In 2004, the group began focusing on direct sales business owners, and began to grow. By the end of the 2005, the group had more than 30 members.
"We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support to individuals starting or growing a profitable home-party plan business," said Thibodeaux, who now serves as vice president of the group. "In a non-competitive environment, we strive to share ideas, network, advertise and promote our businesses and educate our members.
"I love this group," Thibodeaux added. "I never feel as if I'm in competition with everyone. Instead we help and support each other."
The group is currently comprised of approximately 13 members. The members come from all over the south metro and range in experience from two months in their business to more than 20 years in direct sales.
The majority of the group works full-time, and works in direct sales as a part-time job.
"It's a good balance of experience and interests," said Thibodeaux.
In order to recruit more members, the group advertises by printing brochures twice a year and places its events on its Web site.
"Men and women who work in direct sales will sometimes not get going on their company until summer, so our membership can fluctuate throughout the year," said Thibodeaux. "We usually see an increase during the summer months."
The group, which collects $45 in annual dues, meets the fourth Monday of each month at the Davannis in Savage. Each meeting discusses upcoming events the group plans to participate in such as holiday expos and garage sales, as well as community events.
"We believe in giving back to our community," said Thibodeaux. "You can see our members volunteering throughout the communities and participating in the Dan Patch Days parade each year in Savage."
During these meetings, Thibodeaux and Conni VanGompel, who is president of SHBBA, invite special guests to discuss specific topics ranging from taxes and health insurance for direct sales businesses, to how to use technology to make a small business look like a big business.
While the group meets in person, Thibodeaux has also set up a chat group online that is exclusive to members only. While in the chat group, members can find a calendar that includes various events where they can sell their products.
"The calendar is extremely important. There are the well-known events such as county fairs and such, but there are so many little ones that you don't hear about. When we find those, we add them to the calendar," said Thibodeaux.
Along with a chat group, the members also plan to begin a buddy system, that will provide even more support and accountability.
Currently, Thibodeaux and Cheryl Gebhart are buddies.
"All it takes is one call or e-mail a week to see how each other is doing with his or her business," said Thibodeaux. "This has really helped keep me on track and in turn, helped my business."
Gebhart agreed. "My business is my priority," she said. "But sometimes the days go by so fast and you get so busy with other things. It's nice to have someone to keep you accountable and on track."
For those interested in joining SHBBA, Thibodeaux says the group does require active participation in the meetings.
"Someone can't just join to get all the information and then never show up at the meetings," she said. "Anyone interested can e-mail me at info@shbba.com and I'll send them back an application. It's as easy as that."
Pam Rutyna is at rosemount.thisweek@ecm-inc.com.