“In areas where there are layoffs, incubators typically do a booming business because people that are asked to retire early, they’re too young to quit working,” Garrett said. “Now they have the time, the experience, and it’s too early for them to retire.”
The incubator offers modern downtown office space with utilities, and high speed Internet at an affordable price, Garrett says. Three entry levels, tailored according to the entrepreneur, are available.
For as little as $79 a month, the Home Run membership can get you a part-time office, use of two conference rooms and access to fax, copy and printing machines. The entire building has wireless Internet.
Private offices on a full-time basis start at $295 per month.
Garrett says the local economy is strong. “If you do your homework, you can pick some businesses that are recession proof, or that can still make a go of it.”
One business that made a go of it, Bethesda Home Health Services in Temple, was hatched in the incubator three years ago. Co-owners Ethel Flowers and daughter Deidra Williams grew the business from three people when they operated out of the incubator to more than 100 today.
She said the incubator was instrumental in getting them off and running. Staff helped them develop a business plan, both short and long term. They set up objectives and a budget. And the director helped them identify strengths and weaknesses.
“Like our payroll,” Ms. Flowers said, “it was an eye-opener when we looked at the time and management we were doing handling payroll and liability taxes and state taxes.”
The simple solution - contract out that work, and stick to what you do best, Ms. Flowers, a former nurse, said.
Another area business that grew out of the incubator was IntegriCo Composites, which “graduated” from the location in February 2006. The company recycles plastic waste to make composite railroad ties.
Garrett says leasing space at the incubator requires from a one- to four-year commitment to remain in the Temple area after graduating.
This includes new, early stage or established businesses such as Target, which used the incubator for conducting interviews and other work while the store at Bird Creek Crossing was under construction.
The incubator also offers free advice even if you’re not a member. Their software is available to help with a business plan that could be presented to potential investors.
“A lot of these people don’t have a lot of money to start out with,” Garrett said. “That low overhead foothold is what we’re about. It’s not just to be a landlord.”
