Despite their steady jobs, Tim and Tameka Turner kept thinking about starting a business.
“It has always been our dream to start our own business,” said Tim, who’s in his 21st year with Coca-Cola.
“We would really be tuned in and focused and then life would happen,” said Tim. “We would get busy with our jobs, family, and life circumstances, good and bad. Our dream was always before us, but we didn’t cultivate it like we needed to because of various situations.”
Taking the Leap
In 2018, after years of planning and preparation, the Turners took the leap and started Kingdom Made Treats. Tameka left her position at Arkansas Children’s Hospital to run the business.
“We wanted a business where we could sell a product that made people smile,” Tim said.
The couple first considered a shaved ice or snow cone business, he said, “because people of all ages love cold treats.” After additional research, they chose Italian ice instead. “It has the smoothness of a sherbet or sorbet, amazing flavors, and tastes delicious.”
Since April, Kingdom Made Treats has operated from a concession trailer, parked most days at the Gregory Place Shopping Center in Jacksonville. The trailer also goes to events, such as the Clarksville Peach Festival.
With summer winding down, the business will be expanding indoors at the Little Rock Air Force Base Exchange Food Court.
Also winding? The path the Turners took to open their business. Never having owned a business, they looked to the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center for guidance.
Getting Ready
The Turners’ relationship with ASBTDC began in 2009 when Tim attended the center’s “How to Write a Business Plan” seminar.
He returned to the center for market research and planning help three years later and again in 2016 when the couple settled on Italian ice. In 2017, Tim took part in the 10-week City of Little Rock Entrepreneurship Course led by ASBTDC.
“We would take various courses the ASBTDC offered and continue to learn what starting a business was all about. We wanted to gain the valuable skills and knowledge needed to do something that we could call our own,” he said. “At some point along the journey, confidence and courage had to take over because it takes them both to step out on your own.
“We see ASBTDC as a big brother/big sister, because they are family. Any time we needed to ask a question or needed any advice about traffic counts, things we wanted to implement, analytical information, and whatever we could think to ask, they were always there to help.”
Encouraging Others
The new business owner encourages prospective entrepreneurs not to give up on their idea, no matter how long it takes.
“Never lose sight of your dream,” says Tim. “Make you a dream board and put it where you can see it every day. Do something every day, every week, and every month to get you closer to realizing your dream. Do your research. Ask a lot of questions to multiple people such as the ASBTDC, SCORE, banks, and people already in business. Study your competition and learn from them what works and what doesn’t work.
“Lastly, believe. Believe that you can and you will. For us, our faith is vital in everything we do in life.”