Assisted by ASBTDC Lead Center at UA Little Rock
Consultant Patricia Long
Friends Give Business Ownership a Spin
Their love of music first made Wes Howerton and Michael Shaeffer friends, then business partners.
They are the owners of Control, a record store in the Hillcrest neighborhood of Little Rock. The shop opened in June 2019, following eight months of “pop ups” around the city.
“The demand that the pop ups created got us thinking and talking about opening a brick-and-mortar location in Little Rock,” said Howerton.
Howerton and Shaeffer had plenty of relevant experience in the record business and retail, respectively, but neither had ever owned a business. They went to the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center, where they connected with Business Consultant Patricia Long.
“A friend who had been to the center and is a small business owner recommended the center to us, and we also spoke with Edward Haddock with the SBA who also encouraged us to visit with someone at the ASBTDC,” said Shaeffer.
Long helped the pair plan their next steps and provided detailed customer and market research. She also pointed them toward FORGE, an Arkansas-based microlender.
“The greatest challenge we overcame to get our business going was obtaining a small business loan for the initial startup costs and expenses,” said Howerton.
“The ASBTDC’s assistance gave us the confidence and support to take the next step, complete the business plan, and request a small business loan.”
The center also connected the business with University of Arkansas at Little Rock accounting students for a high-impact learning experience class project.
Control sells new and used vinyl. The owners view the shop as a destination where people can explore and learn about music, as well as buy records. They want to become “a musical touchstone in the community,” they said.
Gwen Green, Oct. 21, 2019