SCORE Chapter 14 Success Stories

SCORE™ ASSISTS WELLNESS CENTER START-UP

When Janet Long was about to open her wellness center in Hillsborough, she needed some guidance on the details in finalizing plans for her seven year dream to own and operate her own Healing Center. So, she sought the help of Central Jersey SCORE Chapter 14, formerly known as the Service Corps of Retired Executives and now billed as Counselors to America’s Small Business, a resource of the U.S. Small Business Administration and based at Raritan Valley Community College.

Ribbon Cutting – Janet Long, center, left; Mayor Anthony Ferrera, Hillsborough, right of center.

The chapter arranged for Long to meet with counselors William Rapoport and Murray Stern. Long was given “2 thumbs up” by both counselors and came away, as she puts it, “encouraged and with a go-for-it attitude”.  Now six months after opening In Balance Center for Living in the Flagtown section of Hillsborough, Long is already looking at expansion. She employs 25 people, ranging from specialty yoga and pilates instructors, to specialty massage therapists, acupuncturists, workshop leaders, and office managers. She is reworking her business plan and will meet again with SCORE to review her arrangements to purchase an additional property and building. The SCORE counselors, Bill and Murray, provided encouragement to Janet, and their follow through to offer support was impressive. Owner Janet Long thanks SCORE, and recommends their services to others.

In Balance Center is in the Flagtown section of Hillsborough, not far from the municipal complex. It offers an integrative approach to maintaining high levels of health and well-being. This includes Massage and Bodywork, Yoga, Pilates, Chinese Qi Gong training, holistic nutrition and more. Phone (908) 369-4949. Website: www.inbalancecenter.com. E-mail janet@inbalancecenter.com.

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Namaste! – A SCORE counselor develops business strategies for a Yoga Studio startup
Client – Wendy Gross-Pinto, President of The Yoga and Healing Center

It takes a special kind of person to devote their career helping people get into great shape both mentally and physically. That is the life ambition of Wendy Gross-Pinto, the current owner of the Yoga and Healing Center in Scotch Plains, NJ. Pinto discovered yoga in college and began offering classes after she graduated. Sandy Kepniss, a SCORE counselor, helped the yoga business succeed using his thirty-plus years as a small business owner.

“I was strong in my love of yoga and passion for helping people. I needed guidance in the technical skills of running a business. To succeed, I really need both,” states Wendy, now owner of a full service Yoga and Pilates studio offering morning and evening classes seven days a week.

The early stages of Wendy’s yoga studio venture were not unlike those of other small business startups. She had the vision for the actual yoga classes and the creative side of the business. She needed help with operations, from accounting and payroll to lease negotiations and facilities management. Mr. Kepniss was able to convey his experiences in these areas by advising Wendy on potential contractual pitfalls and managerial disciplines that would ensure a profitable venture. Specifically, he counseled Wendy on how to be more disciplined in the areas of payroll, record-keeping, and expense accounting. Together, they refined plans to generate added revenue through the retail sales of yoga accessories, incense and even chilled bottled water to follow intensive Bikram Yoga sessions where temperatures must exceeded 100°F! Today, the business employs eight specialty instructors and serves a community that regards the Yoga and Healing Center to be the premiere studio in Union County.

Mr. Kepniss’ most valuable piece of advice to Wendy, or to any new business owner, is “follow your money to see where your income and expenses are derived.” He advocates good accounting for new entrepreneurs, who frequently mix personal and business expenses and attempt to figure it all out at tax time instead of tracking them throughout the year.

This SCORE Chapter 14 success story emulates the philosophy of offering relevant business guidance to America’s small business. With backgrounds in a variety of disciplines, from small businesses to Fortune 500 corporations, SCORE’s counselors have the experience and motivation to help your business dreams become a reality, and take them to the next level.