Published January 04, 2008
When Bonnie and David Schlesselman's RV lost a starter in Buffalo nearly
three years ago, it at first seemed like just another inconvenience
that would slow down their road trip.
The couple was looking at relocating from California to Colorado. They
were taking a road trip through the Big Horn Mountains when their motor
home broke down.
While waiting for parts and repairs, the Schlesselmans wandered the
streets and shops of the scenic foothills town and quite simply fell in
love with the area. After they walked by the old Buffalo train depot and
saw that it was for sale, the couple, especially Bonnie, thought about
opening their own business. She immediately thought of a studio and
possibly a gallery, but after looking further realized that the space
was much larger than what she would require. Bonnie realized that she
was envisioning something that could benefit the entire community.
The one-day layover became a month, and after brainstorming the
potential opportunities of the building and the community, the
Schlesselmans decided to make Buffalo their home.
They opened Potters' Depot LLC, located at 75 East Benteen Street, in
April 2007. They credit a University of Wyoming-sponsored program with
helping them start their venture.
Bonnie first became acquainted with the Wyoming Small Business
Development Center in March 2006 after visiting the WSBDC booth at the
Johnson County Business Expo.
With its main office located at the University of Wyoming, the WSBDC is a
partnership of UW, U.S. Small Business Administration and the Wyoming
Business Council. The WSBDC helps to strengthen Wyoming businesses and
create economic growth by providing management assistance, educational
programs and helpful resources for Wyoming small businesses and
entrepreneurs.
The WSBDC also offers low-cost educational forums and one-on-one
counseling at no cost to participating businesses in areas such as
planning, management, marketing, and finance. The WSBDC has regional
offices throughout the state. For more information, call 1-800-348- 5194
or e-mail wsbdc@uwyo.edu.
Bonnie had worked as an occupational therapist the past 18 years, and
although she had shelved her youthful dreams of making a living with
clay, she followed the path of secure employment. The potter's craft was
never far from her thoughts and Bonnie continued to do her pottery part
time.
That's where the Schlesselman's path from California led them to Buffalo.
Bonnie registered for a "Is Entrepreneurship In Your Blood -- Do You
Have What It Takes to Start A Small Business?" class and scheduled her
first appointment with Jill Kline, WSBDC Region V director in Gillette.
Bonnie envisioned transforming the train depot into a studio, a gallery
and the couple's home.
Bonnie knew she did not want to compete with other local artisans, but
she wanted to find a way to complement the businesses that already
existed in Buffalo. She quickly became involved in several local
organizations and built a strong community foundation. She began
nurturing bonds that would help support her business.
"I got connected with the potters in the area and received incredible
support for my idea to have pottery classes and a gallery; and that's
how it started," she adds.
Kline and the WSBDC assisted her with additional market research, cash
flow projections and business planning. Bonnie says she could always
count on the WSBDC to connect her to the appropriate resources to help
with such things as sales taxes or registering with the state. She found
the WSBDC Web site resources and the monthly newsletter a great asset.
"I feel like I'm kept up to date with events and other information that will help
me sustain my business," she says.
The business has been successful and Bonnie now offers classes and
workshops to the community and region. It also provides a gallery to
display and sell student and local potters' work. Bonnie is now looking
to expand by offering more classes this fall, since the first classes
were so successful.
Her advice to others considering following their dream would be to,
"Make sure to understand and accept both the positive and negative
aspects of your business.
"Do the research, have a dialogue with others in your field and ask the
hard questions, build and use a good database, get professional advice
when necessary, such as from the WSBDC, become a Chamber of Commerce
member, and most of all, be involved in your community," she adds.
Bonnie praises Kline for her assistance in starting the business.
"She made herself available to me by phone and in person several times
whenever I needed help. Jill was always positive, supportive and yet
realistic. She was at all times able to answer my questions or guide me
to the resources I needed," Bonnie adds. "I would highly recommend WSBDC
to anyone who intends to start a business. It is a valuable service."
For more information about Potters' Depot LLC call (307) 684-4555 or e-mail pottersdepot@msn.com.
