Message from Small Business & Supplier Diversity Director, Willis Morris

Governor Glenn Youngkin’s “Compete to Win” growth plan requires a total team effort. I am providing this update to let you know that we are competing, and we are winning!  Governor Youngkin understands the importance of a robust small business community in enhancing Virginia’s competitive position as the best state in America in which to do business. Here’s how the Department of Small Business & Supplier Diversity (DSBSD) is competing to win.

DSBSD partners with business and workforce development organizations from federal, state, local, and private sectors. Through these community partners, we provide Virginians with a wide range of opportunities to connect and learn skills which may lead to opening their own small businesses as well as connecting with resources for a wide range of opportunities, in these areas, as well as many others.

DSBSD connects across the government to the Labor Secretariat’s Department of Professional Occupation and Regulation (DPOR) in sharing information on SBSD’s Business One Stop (BOS). DPOR in its licensing capacity is usually the initial point of contact for an individual or business wanting to get started. It is one of many resources needed to connect with to legally conduct business in Virginia – and DPOR makes an easy hand-off to the Business One Stop for the quick connection on how to start a business.

Also from the Labor Secretariat, our sister organization, Virginia Works – the Commonwealth’s new agency for workforce development and advancement – administers the over 950 apprenticeable occupations employers may bring to their employees. As individuals learn skilled trades, opening their own small business may become an option.

The Virginia Department of Transportation's (VDOT) Business Opportunity and Workforce Development Center (BOWD) also provides apprenticeships, workforce development, and federal grant business development opportunities for vendors in the transportation and construction sectors. Additionally, BOWD offers a learning module through VDOT University with a catalog of free courses.

DSBSD also works closely with public universities across the Commonwealth to support the workforce needs of local businesses. Through partnerships with institutions of higher education, local governments, and private sector organizations, we support workforce and business development initiatives. Examples of these partnerships include Crater APEX Accelerator, Women Business Centers, the Business Development Center at Old Dominion University, the Virginia Commonwealth University da Vinci Center for Innovation, the Loudoun Workforce Resource Center and Virginia Career Works Fairfax Annandale Center, The Hive in the City of Virginia Beach, and the Hampton Roads Workforce Council. These collaborations enable DSBSD to effectively reach across all localities.

Through a recent federal grant received by Virginia Energy, we are collaborating in developing a Training for Residential Energy Contractors program.

DSBSD supports small business expansion and workforce development by providing various programs and services. 

Lending for Small Businesses: The Virginia Small Business Financing Authority (VSBFA) provides lending needed for economic growth and expansion throughout the Commonwealth. VSBFA’s five loan programs can work directly with businesses and commercial lenders needing help in offering a loan to a small business.

Resource Guide: The Small Business, Startup, Entrepreneur, & Innovator Opportunity Guide. The digital version of this resource directory will be built upon, refined, and improved as new content is identified for inclusion and updates are required. The resource directory was developed in conjunction with the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation. Hard copies will be available later in the year. 

Business One Stop: A first stop for individuals wanting to start a business. A business may need to register with several agencies to legally establish a business in Virginia. The BOS is a collection of most agencies an individual needs to connect with to launch their business. The weekly list of individuals using this system serves as one of many resources DSBSD uses to reach out to offer additional services to assist businesses launch and grow. Key in this effort is connecting with other federal, state, local and non-profit entities.

One-on-One Business Counseling Sessions: Providing confidential counseling sessions to business owners on various topics such as business planning, strategies to do business with the state, and on-one-one eVA training that directly and indirectly helps companies to increase sales and expand their businesses. 

Workshops and Webinars: Providing educational workshops and bringing subject matter experts to small businesses at no cost helps business owners access the resources they need to support their business growth and expansion. 

Collaboration: DSBSD works closely with Virginia public universities such as George Mason University, Radford University, James Madison University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Norfolk State University, Virginia State University, and Old Dominion University. Fusing academic disciplines such as engineering and computer science with discussions around entrepreneurship creates the roadmap that aligns entrepreneurial excellence, innovation, and idea generation to our future workforce. Our other partners include the Virginia MBDA and the Virginia Small Business Development Centers throughout the state to support the needs of local businesses. 

DSBSD Small Business Seminars/Conference: Provide unique opportunities for small business owners to connect with resource partners such as local economic development departments, and local workforce development organizations and get support and resources to expand their businesses. 

New Virginia Scaling4Growth Program: A statewide cohort-based program designed to scale small business growth by providing executive-level training. During the six-month program business owners develop a compressive growth plan for the next three years that supports their growth and expansion.

Visit us at www.sbsd.virginia.gov to connect.

Business Spotlight!

Each Month we will spotlight a different Goochland Business!

TKL Products Corp

TKL Products Corp. is a leading manufacturer of hardshell cases, molded cases, bags, and covers for musical instruments. The company has built a solid reputation for impeccable, high-quality products, and a passionate commitment to customer service. As a result, TKL has gained a customer base that spans the globe.

TKL is widely respected in music industry circles. The company supplies guitar cases to guitar manufacturers such as Fender, Gibson, Gretsch, Guild, and Martin, as well as for Wayne Henderson, one of Virginia's most respected guitar builders.

Through Cedar Creek Custom Case Shop, TKL's specialty division, they handcraft some amazing, one-of-a-kind instrument cases. Cedar Creek has built cases for artists like Zac Brown, Kenny Chesney, Eric Clapton, Alan Jackson, Dolly Parton, Les Paul, Richie Sambora and Randy Travis, and groups such as the Avett Brothers.

In addition to cases and bags for musical instruments and accessories, the company's TKL Outdoors division, builds firearms cases for hunters, the military, and law enforcement agencies.

Tom and Donna Dougherty founded TKL in 1984, naming the company for their children-Tommy, Kevin, and Laurie. The company started with humble beginnings, with 600 square feet of rented space on Long Island in New York.

Today, the company owns more than 63,000 square feet of manufacturing, R&D, and distribution space in the Oilville Business Park in Goochland County