Before a move from Omaha, Neb., to Northwest Arkansas, entrepreneur and builder Jeff Snow made the local ASBTDC his first stop, with financial planning his first step.
After working with the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville’s Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center, he started J-ARK Building Professionals, a home remodeling and general contracting business, in September 2021.
Snow said the most challenging management issue facing his new venture was “how to educate myself on financial matters and how to grow at a manageable rate.” He attended the center’s Financial Boot Camp, led by ASBTDC business consultant Scott Lacy.
Initially, he wanted help with QuickBooks and an overall accounting and reporting system. Lacy continued to work with Snow to set up financial records and processes, advising him on budgeting, cash flow, sales forecasting, and how owners can pay themselves from their business.
Lacy also provided guidance on what banks look for in loan applicants.
After the Boot Camp, Snow chose to hire a bookkeeper and an accountant with experience in the construction industry. Taking financial tasks off his plate allowed him to focus on business development.
Jeff’s wife Kayla Snow manages the company’s marketing and made a great start on brand assets and a website for J-ARK Building.
Then the center’s marketing team helped further develop j-arkbuilding.com. Led by Lindsay Ramsey, the team shared its expertise in content, photography, and graphic design for branding and social media.
“ASBTDC marketing consultant Lindsay Ramsey was my contact, and she was incredible. Her team and the resources she connected me to were top notch. We are grateful for the expertise that each of you are affording me and my business. I recommend ASBTDC to everyone I talk to,” said Snow.
“That’s a lot of letters you have going there,” he added with a wink.