Cindy’s Photography & Fine Art

 "Picture Clearer for Woman-Owned Business Thanks to SBDC"

BIRMINGHAM, AL - Entrepreneurship presents many challenges for a small business owner during periods of economic growth and can be an issue of not only sustainability but also survival in periods of economic downturn. The struggles many businesses are facing in the current economy are evidence of the effect of economic cycles on planning and strategies.

Cindy Kilgore, owner of Cindy’s Photography & Fine Arts, is well aware of the importance of planning and understands the key issues that are pivotal along a fulcrum of success or failure. Ms. Kilgore started her business from her home in June of 2007.

The business offers a variety of photography, painting and other artistic services that appeal to a broad spectrum of clients. Ms. Kilgore came to the Jacksonville State University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) as she was finalizing her business strategy. The counselor assisted her with developing a cash budget and financial pro forma to meet the expected needs of her firm. The business and business plan evolved over time with the assistance of the SBDC.

Perhaps the most high profile project for Cindy's involved photographs used on the Oprah Winfrey Show for an employee discrimination case that had been argued before the U.S. Supreme Court. From humble beginnings to a very traditional strategy of customer service, Ms. Kilgore knows the value of the assistance provided by the SBDC. In the first two years, sales of the business tripled as a result of her adaptive business strategy, proving that hard times don't always mean failure.

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