Brenda and Richard Carter launched B & R Tile, LLC in Texarkana Nov. 1.
The couple purchased and renamed Richard’s former employer, Shurtleff Tile Company.
When they sought financing to acquire the business in April of 2017, they were referred by their lender to the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at Southern Arkansas University.
SAU ASBTDC’s previous center director, Megan Whitehead, and current business consultant, Kristen Cribb, worked with the Carters on developing a business plan and formulating three-year financial projections and assumptions for the business.
The center also used its market research tools to show the traffic count for the business location, the number of potential customers in the area, what potential customers are spending for home building and remodeling, and what to expect for the seasonality of the industry.
Thanks to Richard’s experience at the company and in the tile industry, along with his rapport with local tile setters and contractors, the couple was well positioned for the purchase.
The Carters received financing through BancorpSouth in Texarkana to acquire the building, new equipment, and new inventory and to update the computer system.
Brenda said, “Megan and Kristen were a Godsend. I would not have been able to do this without them. They took the time to help me and worked with me to understand” the purchase process.