Woodcraft

The Reno store is 7,500 square feet with an inventory of more than 15,000 products including band saws, lathes, exotic woods and how-to-books. The store also offers classes throughout the week and during the weekend. Woodcraft carries many specialty woodworking products and services that aren't offered anywhere else in the area and attracts customers, not only from the local area, but from all of northern Nevada and northern California.

"The whole purpose of the store is to help our customers learn more about woodworking, work safely, expand their current knowledge and provide the expert woodworker with the most advanced tools in the industry, said Hughes

Mr. Hughes primarily spent his working career in aviation. He retired in 2001 from DHL Worldwide Express as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in the United States. As a lifelong wood worker and hobbyist, Larry was attracted to a new Woodcraft franchise store in San Carlos, California not far from his Redwood City home. Since Larry also owned a home in Reno, and the northern Nevada area did not have a Woodcraft store, Larry began his research to determine the viability of opening a Woodcraft store in Reno.

While Mr. Hughes was working on his business plan for his new venture, he stopped by the Small Business Administration Office to gather loan information in early 2005. It was at this time he was introduced to the Nevada Small Business Development Center (NSBDC) counselors who assisted him in polishing his business plan and doing market research on the Reno/Sparks area. The counselors provided guidance and advice on acquiring loans, managing licensing requirements and acquiring a suitable store location. The NSBDC counselors also assisted Mr. Hughes in putting together grand opening strategies and a marketing plan to assist Woodcraft to quickly build business.

"Through the direct efforts of the NSBDC staff, I was able to successfully obtain funding for the business, find an excellent location, develop successful public relations, advertising and promotion efforts as well as expand my contacts in the local business community." said Larry, "Their support continues to be invaluable."

Woodcraft currently has 11 employees and is looking forward to its first anniversary celebration. Mr. Hughes' goal is to firmly establish the success of the Reno location before his plans to work with the Woodcraft corporate organization to develop the Las Vegas market in the future. Larry's advice for future small business owners is, "Come financially prepared and use NSBDC services where ever possible."