Day after day we hear about home foreclosures and businesses going bust. But two Wilkes County companies have found a way to not only maintain--but grow--their family businesses.
Former teachers Steve and wife Sandy Forest built Brushy Mountain Bee Farm equipment business from the ground up more than 30 years ago.
"It's very hard, a real gamble. You go into debt. You worry if you'll make it. Thankfully it all worked out for us, in this business we really love, in a place we really love," says Sandy.
Just down the road, Bob Hege retired from Duke Power only to take over Meadows Mills, a one hundred year old grist mill manufacturer. His wife June explains why she thinks they've been successful. "I think the real secret is having more than one thing to offer--hammer mills, sawmills, palletizers. If we just built sawmills we'd probably be out of business."
Bob adds, "You've got to be diversified-whatever you can sell- build it!"
That line of thinking has more than quadrupled his business since Bob took over in 1990 with 4 million in sales in 2009 alone.
As we stroll through the plant, he has a story about each piece of equipment and every employee. Twenty-five people work here. Michael Adams, the Machine Shop Supervisor, is thankful for the job. "I think a lot of industries are no longer in business. It's rare to have an opportunity like this."
Mom and pop businesses are an important part of the economy according to Wilkes County's Economic Developer Jeffrey Garstka. "It's very critical--the days when you recruit 1000 plus companies are gone. There are very few of those anymore. You must focus on who is in your backyard."
Wilkes has one of the highest unemployment rates in the state. But business at Brushy Mountain Bee Farm is booming. The company says they did 6.8 Million in sales last year and are looking at even better numbers this year.
In fact, the company is so busy, a UPS truck stays on site at all times shipping the equipment made here. They say the down economy actually helps their bottom line as bee enthusiasts get back to the basics of food production. And it's allowed Meadows Mills to buy less expensive equipment from businesses that have gone bust.
Besides their location in this rural area, both Brushy Mountain Bee Farm and Meadows Mills have something else in common. They've adopted lean manufacturing practices.
Bob Hege smiles when he says, "I may not be the smartest fella in the world but I know a good idea when I see it."
Brushy Mountain Bee Farm & Meadow Mills Grist Mill
The NCSU Industrial Cooperative Extension Service has helped both businesses improve the way they organize materials--simplifying the process by having everything they need at their fingertips, boosting productivity.
Steve Forest explains, "Everything we would go in and say why didn't we think of that?"
Steve became such a believer he's now Vice Chair of the Industrial Extension Service Board. "That's where I think we need to make our inroads is work with perfecting our smaller businesses and helping them succeed as opposed to trying to woo big industry that could come in and leave you in a few years."
Both companies learned to better track sales and they're making more of what's called value added products. That means manufacturing parts and accessories related to their big sellers. Customer service is top priority. Expertise about their products doesn't hurt either. Their commitment they say is helping both companies enjoy the sweet taste of success when so many other businesses in rural areas are suffering.
Watch the NC Now Feature