Meet Our Clients
Stanford Addison, Stanford Addison Ranch
Stanford Addison has always had a passion for horses and for helping youth. He has combined these two passions at Stanford Addison Ranch, where he holds horse clinics that teach people of all walks of life a unique, gentle method of training horses using the principle he calls "heyteyneytah", the Arapaho word for respect. He hires at-risk youth to work on his ranch and assist with the trainings and he does all this from a wheelchair.
In 2005, Stanford came to WRDF because he needed to purchase some corral poles and tools for his ranch. Working with WRDF staff, Stanford began to develop a business plan and look at his pricing and cash flow. A microloan helped him to purchase much-needed supplies, and now, in 2008, Stanford is poised to grow his business by bringing buffalo onto the ranch. He plans to use this small business venture to teach youth the traditional uses of the buffalo as well as the skills needed to run a small business. Stanford is teaching important skills not only to clients but also to the many youth who come to him looking for guidance and hope. He is an inspiration and role model for us all.
Letitia Black, Merry-Go-Round Kidz Kloz
Letitia Black often wondered what do do with her children's good-as-new clothing as they quickly grew out of them. She was on a trip in California and came across a quality, second-hand clothing's store and recognized a business opportunity. When she came home she enrolled in the SAGE business planning course, wrote a business plan, and turned her idea into reality by opening Merry-Go-Round Kidz Kloz in Arapahoe in 2006.
With financial match support from the Equipoise Fund and First Nations Development Institute, she became WRDF's first Individual Development Account graduate. She used her savings and matching funds to purchase equipment and supplies to help grow her business. "Having your own business can seem intimidating," says Letitia. "But WRDF showed me how to turn my idea into a reality. I couldn't have done it without them."
Floyd Addison, NATCO, Inc.
As owner and President of NATCO, Inc., Floyd Addison knows the meaning of perseverance and determination. After working for his dad as an employee for several years, Floyd took over ownership of the family construction business in 2002. Since then, he has successfully completed numerous projects with the Tribes, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and other governmental and private contracting entities.
After attending the SAGE business planning course and completing his business plan, Floyd received a small business loan from WRDF to help him purchase a new truck, allowing him to bid on and receive a large contract from the Wyoming Department of Transportation. The company's SBA 8(a) status has allowed Floyd to obtain many large construction projects as he continues to grow and strengthen his business.
In the off-season months, Floyd has shared his time and energy by instructing in several construction programs that teach local people construction skills. In 2006 he was recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration as the Wyoming Minority Small Business Person of the Year.
Don Morgan, Morgan Oil Field Water Service, LLC
Don Morgan starts his day by kissing his wife and children goodbye and stepping into his 2003 Peterbilt truck. He then heads off to the oil fields to haul water for his customers. He is living his version of the American Dream: "Creating a viable business with my own truck has been my lifelong dream," Don says.
That dream took a lot of work and planning. Don worked as a roughneck on a drilling rig operated by a local oil and gas company for several years. While at the company, he learned to haul oil field water. "I needed every single year of experience that I gained to help me feel confident starting my own business," says Don.
In January 2006, Don felt the timing was right to try and make his dream a reality. He and his wife, Ramona, enrolled in the SAGE business planning course. "The SAGE class opened my eyes to the responsibilities involved with business ownership. WRDF is a great resource for anyone looking to open a business." He graduated from the course in March. In May of that year he received a small business loan from WRDF, purchased his truck, and opened his doors for business.
Bridger & Arthur Lawson, A&B Badger Daylighting, LLC
In late 2005, Bridger and Arthur Lawson were working for Arthur's father-in-law in the local Badger Daylighting franchise. The company provides excavation and trenching services. When the owner decided to sell, the Lawson's decided it was time to start working for themselves. They took out a loan from WRDF to purchase the business, and they closed the deal on New Year's Eve 2005.
Starting with just themselves, they have since grown the company to 11 employees. Their first year's sales were almost double their initial projections, and they quickly paid off their initial loan. From 2006-2007 they utilized a line of credit from WRDF to help grow the company another 70%. In early 2007, they made it a true family affair by bringing on their dad, Mike Lawson, as the company's business manager.
In 2008 the entrepreneurs created their second company, A&B Lawson Enterprises, which will provide guided fish trips in the Bull Lake area on the Reservation.
Lloyd Tillman, Heavy Eagle Tepee Rental
Lloyd Tillman completed the SAGE business planning course at the very top of his class in 2004. He then took out a microloan from WRDF to start up his tepee rental business. "The SAGE class really helped me understand what I needed to do to get my business started. WRDF has been there for me ever since with help on all kinds of parts of my business, like marketing and pricing. They've really helped me make my business better."
After paying off his first loan, Jingles has been a return borrower, using the additional capital to purchase a truck and continue to grow and strengthen his business. Heavy Eagle Tepee Rental has set up tepees not only for local clients but also for people around the country-and globe.
Cathy Owen, White Buffalo Beads
Cathy Owen has had a passion for beading for 30 years. "It is something I have always done and something I always go back to. I woke up one day in April 2008 and decided I was going to open a bead store." Cathy contacted WRDF and began working with the Business Development Specialist to develop her business plan. She obtained a small business loan from WRDF to cover inventory and start-up costs and opened her own bead store, White Buffalo Beads. "Opening the store has been a dream come true," says Cathy.
Edward L. Wadda, Eddie Wadda Graphics
"WRDF is a great resource for small businesses on the Reservation. As a result of assistance from them, I was able to purchase equipment and expand my graphics art business."