The Carroll County Chamber of Commerce awarded the Start-Up Business of the Year award to Clearview Installations in recognition of their success as a new small business enterprise. This is the first awarding of this honor which took place at the annual fall Chamber Membership BBQ held at Mill Town Music Hall.
Clearview Installations owners Blake Jamison and Wil Rego saw a need in the market and an opportunity to build strong relationships in the construction industry. Together they built their company providing commercial glass work for storefronts and malls throughout the Southeast.
“With their ‘get it done’ mentality, they’ve been able to rise above their competition,” said Lauren Holverson, Director of The Burson Center, regional business incubator, where the company is headquartered. “Taking jobs that others may have said no to, their success is due to their ability to go the extra mile and exceed the expectations of their clients.”
The company was founded on three principles: meet the needs of clients in the marketplace, hire a highly motivated and talented workforce, and establish trust and fairness.
“These founding principles have certainly guided them to success, with a million dollars in sales their very first year,” Holverson said. “They have also doubled their 2016 sales already in 2017.”
Not only do they excel in glass, Holverson said, but they know when to ask for help.
“They’ve used the resources provided to them through The Burson Center to develop handbooks, revise contracts, hire employees, make connections, and more. When the partners were ready to take the business to the next level, Carroll Tomorrow introduced them to local venture capital resources that allowed them to maximize their return on investment.” Holverson noted.
The company continues to set record growth and plans to expand to a new location, with the guidance of Carroll Tomorrow, upon graduation from the incubator. Future plans include expanding the company’s reach in the market, increasing sales and hiring additional employees in the larger facility.
This new award was created by the Carroll County Chamber to further spotlight the importance of small business to the local, regional and national economy. The 28 million plus small businesses in the United States create value and employ more than half of the nation’s private workforce. Georgia ranks number one for the best state for business with 653,195 registered small businesses in 2017.
Start-ups and small businesses invest, employ, and engage in their communities. They are a catalyst for economic growth and the backbone of the economy. The Carroll County Chamber is proud to serve small businesses, with a majority of the members employing fewer than 500 employees.
About two-thirds of businesses survive at least two years and about half make it to five. Access to capital, increased competition, and available resources are just a few challenges faced by entrepreneurs today.
“If starting a business wasn’t hard enough, it’s increasingly difficult to grow one due to a changing workforce and increased tax and regulation,” Holverson said. “Those of you that have built a company from the ground up know it takes dedication, long hours, and a will to succeed. The owners of this company demonstrate the heart and soul of true entrepreneurship.”
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