Melissa Smith started Kids-R-Us daycare in West Memphis 12 years ago, and the COVID-19 pandemic was the push she needed to purchase her own space.
At nearly 7,000 square feet, the new location is much larger and has enough room to house her catering business as well.
“My new facility will allow me to double my student capacity and add a night-care option, something local parents who work third shifts need,” stated Smith. “Also, I will have a separate full-sized kitchen and dining area for my catering business.”
Smith was one of the first clients of the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at ASU Mid-South, which opened in 2021. The center’s Jack Poff Jr. assisted her with obtaining financing. He also connected her with other ASBTDC services.
“I had a lot of questions and frustrations while trying to run my business and work on the building,” Smith explained. “That’s when my Realtor, Mrs. Jody Fenter, suggested I talk to Jack at ASBTDC. He was able to help me get my financial documents in order to prove that I had a successful business model.”
Room to Grow
“She had recently purchased a building and was attempting to self-finance the renovation,” said Poff. “But the numbers showed that betting on herself was a smart, low-risk business move.”
Ultimately, East Arkansas Planning and Development District was able to provide the working capital loan needed to rehabilitate the former warehouse.
Following the move to the new facility, Kids-R-Us plans to add at least five more employees. One of the core members of the team is Smith’s daughter, Destinie. “I didn’t give up and neither did she. She has been with me the whole 12 years,” Smith said.
With a growing staff in mind, the business owner is also working with ASBTDC on best practices to make managing her business more efficient. Through ASBTDC, Smith is learning how to grow her social media presence.
Kids-R-Us and Wine Me Down Catering’s new location is 311 S. 4th St. in West Memphis.
