The Mississippi Link Newswire
UTICA – The Hinds Community College-Utica Campus Business Incubation Center (BIC) welcomes its newest business owners, D & J Solutions. The desktop publishing/events consultant company is owned and operated by Utica Campus employees Diana Brown, library assistant and Joyce Woodhouse, administrative assistant.
Brown and Woodhouse are among a growing trend of independent business owners who decided to take the plunge. Brown says she and Woodhouse had been providing the services out of their homes for over a year, and after discussing it, they decided to take advantage of the services offered in their own back yard, which is the Business Incubation Center.
“The Business Incubation Center is a ‘hatchery’ for entrepreneurial start-ups,” said Ms. Jessica Smith, director of entrepreurialship and business development. “While tenants are growing their business and gaining credibility in the marketplace, the Center will provide business information resources and technology assistance. Simultaneously, tenants are realizing their dreams and building their entrepreneurial confidence while learning how to secure funding to expand their venture,” Smith added. Further, The Center provides office space, access to a conference room, a color copy machine, computer, telephone, internet, fax, workshops and counseling services, at no cost. “We are willing to contract with the businesses located in the Center,” Smith added. “We also support virtual tenants who receive the same support benefits as other tenants, without the office space.”
The two-woman business offers a wide range of personalized print media, including flyers, bookmarks, labels, business cards, brochures, and programs for all occasions, including funerals. Additionally, the business offers planning and coordinating special events, such as celebrations, social or family gatherings, weddings, showers, company picnics, and banquets.
Brown and Woodhouse said although their services, product quality, and prices are excellent, their major marketing strategy focuses on building long-term relationships with their customers.
The Business Incubation Center has office space to accommodate four businesses. “Our Center is completely full,” said Smith.
Other businesses in the Center are D. Gains Production and Kenyatta Films, both film production companies; and Modern Woodmen, a financial advisory company.
