6/15/2010

God Win's Hair Designs

"“Janet offered us assistance with every part of the seemingly impossible process and was patient in answering all of our questions and endless phone calls. She helped us with getting our new business formed, explained the loan process to us and put us in touch with a qualified SBA lender. Anytime we contacted Janet at the SBDC we were treated like she had a personal interest in the success of our business. We have always received an immediate response to our needs.” "

When Gay & Stanley Godwin came in to see Certified Business Analyst Janet Etheridge in the summer of 2009, they were hoping that they would receive the kind of assistance they knew the SBDC could provide. They had owned a hair salon in Gulf Breeze, Florida for more than two decades prior to selling it in 2006 to spend more time with their children Kayla and Roman. As owners of the salon, they had used the SBDC as a resource for their business. After selling it, they took jobs working for another salon and had the luxury of having their daughter working there with them when in 2009 they were suddenly given three days to vacate the premises due to the owner not having paid the rent. They came to the SBDC at this time because they were hoping to get assistance with getting a SBA loan to start up another salon. The Godwins were able to secure an SBA loan, found an ideal location, all the necessary equipment, hired a full staff and were open for business within 6 weeks. One of the hardest things they had to overcome was securing their new salon license through the State Board of Cosmetology, but with the help of someone at the Governor’s office, they were able to get a liaison to the appropriate department and had their license within one day! Gay and Stanley attribute all of this coming together to God and the special people he put them in touch with, especially Janet at the SBDC and the Governor’s office. Their staff consists of five experienced stylists, a massage therapist and a reception person who just happens to be Stan. Their son Roman has enrolled in the cosmetology program at PJC and plans on helping out with reception duties. The Godwin’s dreams are coming true as they are now enjoying the rapid success of God Win’s Hair Designs and having their two children carry on the family business. God Wins is located at 316 Gulf Breeze Parkway and when you walk in the door, you automatically feel like family. Indeed, they feel blessed!