Local businesses are the backbone of the community. Every story is unique, and we love seeing each business grow. That's why we offer tools like accounts, loans, and business services to help our business owners keep things running smoothly.
It’s also why we’re highlighting one of our business customers who’s faced some of the difficulties that come with running a business. Because who better to understand what you might be facing in your business, than someone who’s been there before.
Meet Matt and Shelley, the owners of Cabinet Concepts by Design in Springfield, MO. They've been in business for a while and have experienced their fair share of the ups and downs that come with owning a own business. Read on below as they share what running their business is all about, and how they've made use of a few Southern Bank products to keep things moving smoothly.
Q&A with Cabinet Concepts by Design’s Matt & Shelley
Q: Tell us about your business. How did you get started? How long have you been in business? What motivated you to start your own business?
A: After searching on a business brokers website, Shelley and I bought a small 4-person cabinet shop in November 2007. I always wanted to be a business owner and Shelley wanted to spend more time at home with the kids. We thought that it would be easy running a cabinet shop with her doing the books and I would take care of the customers and manufacturing. I had thought to myself, “I have always enjoyed working with wood, I took shop class in high school and had worked at Edward Jones as an investment advisor....how hard could it be?”
Little did we know that the worst recession was going to hit the very next year. We spent the next 5 years digging out of a very large hole, but we survived it and have been in business for over 15 years now.
Q: What’s your favorite thing about being a business owner?
A: My favorite has been working with Shelley this whole time. Over the 15 years, we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and lean on each other for support. Shelley's favorite thing about being a business owner is being able to give back to our community, provide quality jobs for our employees and seeing our customer's smiles.
Q: Looking back, what are the not so fun aspects of owning a business that you didn’t anticipate?
A: What really caught us off guard was the recession of '08 and '09. That really put us in a hole that seemed insurmountable, but we are fighters and didn't give up. Shelley would look up new building permits and call the builder and/or homeowner to see if we could bid on their cabinet package. We lived off a lot of pb&j’s and beans and rice.
Q: What role do you think local businesses play in your community?
A: We feel that local businesses should be focused on building their employees into good people. We do this by making sure our leaders practice servant leadership. Our motto is: "We don't build cabinets at CCBD, we build people who build cabinets."
Q: Do you think banks are influential in helping local businesses empower communities?
A: Banks are very influential because without them, we wouldn't have the funds to expand when needed.
Q: How can a bank best help a business owner? How can they be a supportive partner?
A: I would say that keeping the processes simple. Also, by providing perspective on the economy.
Q: What tools have you taken advantage of at Southern Bank?
A: I believe that my controller would say being able to deposit remotely was the best thing since sliced bread. 😉
Q: How has Southern Bank helped you along your journey of building and growing your business?
A: Southern Bank has helped us invest in new technology which has enabled us to speed up production along with making a safer environment at the same time. 😉
> Get the tools you need for your small business. See how Cash Management with Southern Bank can help you.
> To see more about Concepts by Design, you can check out their website, cabinetconceptsbydesign.com.