Stories Archive - Penn State Small Business Development Center

View a collection of our clients' success

A New Salon in Reedsville: Hello Beautiful Hair Co.

With help from the Penn State SBDC, Madi Ferencz launched Hello Beautiful Hair Co., overcoming startup challenges to bring modern beauty services to Reedsville, PA. Her salon is now a space where clients feel confident, cared for, and connected to their community.

Creating Memories One Cake at a Time

Learn how the Penn State SBDC helped Helen Velásquez Photography formalize her business by providing guidance on business structures, legal requirements, and marketing strategies, resulting in a 60% business growth and enhanced credibility.

Learn how the Penn State SBDC helped Kelly Scott, owner of Kelly Scott Studios, transition from teaching part-time to running Kelly Scott Studios full-time within a year.

Learn how Penn State SBDC helped Robin and Tim Emerick, Jr., owners of Otzzy, grow their business through local connections, customer discovery, funding strategies, marketing insights, and testing growth strategies.

Learn how Penn State SBDC helped Adam Roskowski, owner of Rosko's Brew House, refine his business strategy, optimize his menu and local partnerships, and achieve his production goals while maintaining a high-quality customer experience.

Chris McCracken, owner of Pine Creek Seed Farm in Jersey Shore, PA, has grown his business into a multi-million-dollar enterprise and is now planning an expansion into seed coating for enhanced agricultural efficiency. Recently awarded the 2024 Small Family-Owned Business of the Year for Eastern Pen

Learn how the Penn State SBDC helped Hanna Stover, owner of Momoyo Otsu, develop custom breast milk jewelry to succeed in her vision of creating unique pieces to meet all of her clients' needs.

With the help of the Penn State SBDC, Audrey Chambers and Jessica Sayers successfully turned their passion for photography into a full-time business venture by providing assistance every step of the way and allowing them to open their studio in the heart of downtown Bellefonte.

With the help of the Penn State SBDC, Ryan Troutman, owner of Fitness Factory, successfully pursued his passion of establishing a fitness center. By utilizing his previous industry expertise in conjunction with Penn State SBDC resources, he ensured a smooth transition into business ownership.