Assisted by ASBTDC Lead Center at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Consultant Wendy Orvis
From Hard Times to Side Hustle to Hiring
Today, Army veteran Isaac Traylor of Maumelle owns a growing business and helps homeless veterans and youth through a non-profit he formed.
A few years ago, he was the homeless veteran.
After experiencing hard times and homelessness, Traylor turned his life around with the help of friends, family, and his pastor. He found a full-time job working nights and was able to get an apartment.
One morning while dropping his daughter off at school, he teased a teacher about having a dirty car. The teacher fired right back at him, “Wash it, then” and she would pay him for it. He washed and detailed her car and the word spread.
Each morning after drop-off, he would wash cars for busy teachers and administrators for extra money before getting some sleep to prepare for his next shift.
As his side hustle grew, Traylor progressed from working out of the back of his car to buying a pressure washer. Next, he fixed up a van his church gave him and bought a mobile water tank.
A Side Business to a Growing Company
He established an LLC (limited liability company) in 2017, 3-I Pressure Washing and Detail. The fully mobile business serves customers around Central Arkansas.
3-I pressure washes homes and buildings, plus sidewalks, driveways, fences, boats, recreational vehicles, and more. Auto detailing includes washing, waxing, and polishing the exterior and fully cleaning the interior and under the hood.
After building his business and reputation for four years, he needed funding to continue growing.
Business Plan Leads to Funding for New Equipment
Arkansas Rehabilitation Services recommended Traylor visit the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center. He met with Wendy Orvis, who provided guidance and training on how to write a business plan.
Isaac and Wendy talked about different funding opportunities he wanted to pursue and worked together to clarify his goals. They discussed each section of the business plan and looked at financial projections.
“Wendy helped me take a messy draft business plan and make it into a real business plan that made complete sense and took the time to help with my goals. She taught me more about my budget and accounting so I could run the business better,” he said.
After reviewing his detailed business plan, Arkansas Rehabilitation Services awarded Traylor an $8,000 grant for new equipment through its Small Business Program.
Then he approached Communities Unlimited, a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). His loan officer Debra Williams helped him obtain a Communities Unlimited small business loan of $42,000, which he used to buy a truck.
In Expansion Mode
Adding the truck and new equipment, including another tank and a trailer, means Traylor can detail cars on a parking lot or at customers’ homes and power wash buildings and exterior spaces without needing a water hookup.
Since receiving the funds, Isaac’s company has expanded its services and hired its first assistant.
He is grateful for the no-cost consulting offered by ASBTDC and Orvis.
“Wendy is awesome and very knowledgeable about the concepts of a business plan and financial planning,” he said.
With the center’s help, Traylor also created a marketing strategy and developed messages to appeal to his target audience.
Even during hard times, Isaac’s goal was to set a good example for his girls. He praises God for his accomplishments and just wants his daughters “to see what comes with gratitude, praise, and hard work,” he says.
