Knowledgeable and committed coaches can help you clear those hurdles and prepare you to start smart. You will find these invaluable resources in Pennsylvania’s 18 Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) located throughout the state.

Entrepreneurs start businesses for many reasons – they have a dream, they identify a need, they want to be their own boss. For some, like Drew LeWay, owner of ADL Electrical Solutions, LLC, in Centre country, the incentive to explore business ownership came from losing a job.

Thanks to his experience, however, he already had built two crucial assets for a successful business launch: a network of contacts and a sound reputation. LeWay was known by many in his community for honesty, fair bids, and good work in his previous job, giving him a great head start.

Despite these advantages, he lacked other important ingredients to start and grow a business, namely adequate capital and business management know-how. His contacts and experience gave him the confidence to forge ahead as a private contractor. But when he sought a commercial loan to purchase trucks and tools, Nittany Bank sent him to the Penn State SBDC for help with creating a business plan.

When he arrived at the Penn State SBDC in July 2004, he already had a list of jobs he had been asked to bid on. Just days after his first meeting with SBDC consultant Linda Feltman, LeWay decided to move ahead without a business plan or bank loan, using personal money to fund his start-up costs. But he realized that in order for ADL to survive and thrive, he would need commercial funding to take it to the next level. Over the following months, as time permitted, he worked with Feltman and one of the SBDC graduate students to craft his business plan. LeWay, who also recognized the value of basic management education, made a point of attending the SBDC’s business seminars.

“He was a regular whirlwind,” said Feltman. “I think he attended every seminar that we offered, all the while making business contacts, working with the contracts he had landed, and me nagging him to work on the research he needed for his plan.” Completing his business plan to present to the bank became increasingly important as LeWay’s growing business was quickly outstripping his ability to personally fund his operations.

In April of 2005, LeWay submitted his completed plan to the bank and received both a term loan and a line of credit, which enabled him to add to his rolling stock by purchasing a bucket truck and to cover payroll during the often long periods between invoice and payment.

Once he got going, LeWay availed himself of other specialized services from the SBDC. The SBDC’s outside QuickBooks consultant worked with him one-on-one to help him master the accounting software, which will keep him on track for managing and recording payroll and taxes. The SBDC-based environmental specialist stepped in and offered guidance on OSHA regulations regarding hiring procedures.

In little more than a year since its inception, LeWay’s business has grown to three employees; he became a member of the Centre County Electrical Association; and he joined the Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County where he has been nominated for the annual Small Business of the Year award.

The recent award of multiple contracts from a local university is a sure sign of LeWay’s recognition. “It is quite a testament to him for such a new company to be awarded contracts like these,” said his SBDC consultant. “It’s gratifying to work with clients like Drew because he took our advice and ran with it. I wouldn’t be surprised if five years from now he owns a fleet of trucks and ADL has several dozen employees.”

“It's gratifying to work with clients like Drew because he took our advice and ran with it. I wouldn't be surprised if five years from now he owns a fleet of trucks and ADL has several dozen employees.”

– Linda Feltman
Penn State SBDC

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