It Takes a Village ( Plus some thank you's)

So the last month has been quite the ride. I’ve put this small business together and it’s been an amazing, empowering feeling the whole way. I couldn’t have done it alone. I’ve had some amazing people and organizations help me out and I would be remiss to not give them some credit.

First off is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Their small business portal is very helpful and well laid out. It was startingly easy to file all the paperwork for an LLC and sales tax license. Also as veteran in the commonwealth, it is free to file most business incorporation paperwork. Bravo.

https://business.pa.gov/

https://business.pa.gov/grow/supporting-diverse-businesses/supporting-veteran-owned-businesses/

Then a big shout out to Melissa Jacobs and Main Line Tonight. Main Line tonight is a digital magazine featuring all that is great about the suburbs surrounding Philadelphia. Melissa put out a great article about Groundhog Hickory Golf, and a wonderful social media push. You can check it out here or on our home page. In addition to being a journalist, Melissa is a board member of the Valley Forge Park Alliance, a great local organization to support here in southeast Pennsylvania.

https://mainlinetonight.com/groundhog-hickory-golf/

https://vfparkalliance.org/

My next praise is for the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board. They are a local media and marketing blowtorch with the focus on helping Montgomery County PA business thrive. I was lucky enough to get an invite to their annual luncheon, and within hours of becoming a member, I was getting contacted about supporting events in the area. I’ve been focused a lot recently on my product, but they really opened my eyes to how networking and marketing can help you succeed.

https://www.valleyforge.org/

Finally, a quick thank you to Founding Forward. They don’t have anything specific to do with hickory golf or groundhogs, but it was a personal connection of mine with them that got me into the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board luncheon, so I gotta give them a plug. They are a civics and history non-profit that focuses on teaching kids on how the United States works, and how to have civil discourse about different opinions when it comes to government and politics. They also give teachers the tools to elevate civics, history, and government to the same level that STEM education has gotten in recent years. A great organization with some wonderful goals.

https://foundingforward.org/

Again a heartfelt thanks to everyone here for the support they’ve given me. One special thank you though is to Janice, my partner of the past 10 years. She’s been my cheerleader through all of this, but more importantly, my business planner. It’s a huge help to have an industrial engineer with an MBA and a six sigma green belt, and whole bunch of other industry certifications at home. She’s helped me write a business plan, brainstormed with me on how to optimize my workspace, developed an inventory system, and countless other little things. I couldn’t have done it without her.

Finally, to all of you out there that want to start a business, it’s scary, and exciting, and fulfilling all at the same time. Don’t be afraid to make the leap. There are lots of people around who can help you get there, and be sure to acknowledge and thank them for the help they give you. You can do it, but don’t go it alone.

-Adam