Success Story: Breakthrough Autism
It is my genuine privilege and honor to write a testimonial on behalf of the Cape Fear Community College Small Business Center (SBC). I began consulting with them in May of 2021. I constituted Breakthrough Autism in December 2020. Covid-19 had left myself without a job and my clients without an Applied Behavior Analysis (i.e., ABA) provider, so I took it upon myself to constitute the practice and fill the void within our local community. However, because my practice was started based on a vision, passion, heart, and ambition, I had $0.00 set aside to start my business. I had to bootstrap my way to where I am now, and their advice was fundamental in my success.
When I first started working with the SBC, I only had 1 employee and we set an initial goal to have $15,000 in reserves and aim for $5,000 in sales per month. Using their 5-5-3 method, I slowly and strategically grew my waiting list of clients and began recruiting talented staff. My business now has 20 employees and an Office Manager to assist me with scheduling and administrative duties. I have purchased a business condo that has been transformed into a clinic space for children with Autism, and I am currently under contract for a second condo unit to assist with expansion. I have secured a $150,000 line of credit that I can use as needed, but I am proud to report that I haven't had to borrow from this yet. Furthermore, my sales have now increased to over $100,000 a month. Lastly, I have also achieved Behavior Health Center of Excellence Accreditation, which signals to our local community that I am committed to operating at a standard of excellence.
Looking back, it brings me immense satisfaction and pride to see how much my business has evolved and grown in just one-year from working with the Cape Fear CC Small Business Center. They played a fundamental role in my success. When I started consulting with them, I was an intimidated 30-year-old female, who doubted herself and was scared that she did not have what it takes to create a thriving business. However, the SBC empowered me by always believing in me, encouraging me, and providing me with wise council. They helped focus my ambition so I could leverage my passion and enthusiasm in the areas that mattered most for a young business.
When I first started working with the SBC, I only had 1 employee and we set an initial goal to have $15,000 in reserves and aim for $5,000 in sales per month. Using their 5-5-3 method, I slowly and strategically grew my waiting list of clients and began recruiting talented staff. My business now has 20 employees and an Office Manager to assist me with scheduling and administrative duties. I have purchased a business condo that has been transformed into a clinic space for children with Autism, and I am currently under contract for a second condo unit to assist with expansion. I have secured a $150,000 line of credit that I can use as needed, but I am proud to report that I haven't had to borrow from this yet. Furthermore, my sales have now increased to over $100,000 a month. Lastly, I have also achieved Behavior Health Center of Excellence Accreditation, which signals to our local community that I am committed to operating at a standard of excellence.
Looking back, it brings me immense satisfaction and pride to see how much my business has evolved and grown in just one-year from working with the Cape Fear CC Small Business Center. They played a fundamental role in my success. When I started consulting with them, I was an intimidated 30-year-old female, who doubted herself and was scared that she did not have what it takes to create a thriving business. However, the SBC empowered me by always believing in me, encouraging me, and providing me with wise council. They helped focus my ambition so I could leverage my passion and enthusiasm in the areas that mattered most for a young business.
Looking back, it brings me immense satisfaction and pride to see how much my business has evolved and grown in just one-year from working with the Cape Fear Community College Small Business Center. They empowered me by always believing in me, encouraging me, and providing me with wise council.
Ashleigh Leuck
Founder, Breakthrough Autism