FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Each year during Small Business Week, the Baldwin County SCORE Chapter recognizes their clients for outstanding business accomplishments. For 2008, there was a tie, and SCORE awarded Amy Duffy of Shoe Fly Shoe Store, and Dotty Hess of Trendz Salon, both of Fairhope, as SCORE Clients of the Year.

Shoe Fly Shoe Store

Amy Duffy lives in Stapleton and is the founder and owner of Shoefly Shoe Store in Fairhope. Duffy initially approached SCORE with a concept for a shoe store and little experience. Initially, SCORE counselors helped she put together a financing plan and assist with location and site selection. After evaluating all options, Fairhope was targeted as a best fit for her expected clientele. Duffy kept looking for a store front in Fairhope and found her present location that was is huge need for cleaning up and fixing up, but the location was good and provided the most value.

Duffy selected the business name and set-up vendor contacts. SCORE counselors Marc Miller and Glenn Boom worked with her on store lay-out, purchasing, business records, daily reporting, employee arrangements, store staffing, banking relationship, signs and advertising. Her wonderful personality and determination drove her forward, her husband was very supportive and helped clean up the store and paint.

Duffy opened her business and has persevered against challenges and set-backs including a store break-in and various other challenges.

“Amy was a good listener and worked hard to keep a positive focus on what needed to be done and learn how to do it,” said Miller. “She has developed a special niche for a shoe store in Fairhope and the business is successful. We at SCORE are very proud for her achievement.”

Trendz

Dotty Hess contacted SCORE in July 2005, saying she wanted to expand her Robertsdale business.

She was operating out of a 600-square-foot shop and believed she needed more space. Because there was no more room in her current location, she decided to buy a piece of property nearby and build a new building. She wanted SCORE to help her develop a business plan that she could use to get a loan from the bank to build a 2,000-square-foot shop.

After several meetings with counselors John Morrison (now deceased) and Harry Moreland, SCORE helped guide her through her plan, and she was able to purchase the land and have a new facility built.

Since moving, she has gone from three employees to eight and has tripled her profit. She expressed deep appreciation for the free and confidential help from SCORE.

The counselors are compensated by the realization that they were successful in helping their clients succeed.