Success Stories

GCSBDC Helps Local Franchise Owners

   Get Up and Running

Rita's Italian Ices, a national franchise corporation, opened its doors on Galveston Island this past November. Co-owners Mark and Esther McKenna came to the Galveston County Small Business Development Center almost two years ago seeking counsel. The couple had already purchased the franchise but had not yet formed a business plan or developed a formal plan of action.

The McKennas availed themselves of the classes and workshops given by the SBDC and worked diligently with SBDC consultant Andrea Cortinas to form a business plan and finalize financial planning. "Andrea advised us on everything from the number of employees we needed to hire to the demographics of our potential customers," said the McKennas.

The Rita's Galveston location opened in the island's newest retail space, Shops on Seawall, across from the brand new 61 Street Fishing Pier. Rita's signature product is its Italian ice (often referred to as water ice) which is much smoother than a snow cone and combines ice with real fresh fruit and is made on-site and served within 36-hours. Real fruit adds dramatically to the taste of the ice, which comes in over 40 flavors including the standard cherry and lemon, mango, green apple, kiwi-strawberry and island fusion, just to name a few.

Rita's also offers cream ice-Italian ice flavors that are as smooth and silky as ice cream but without the heaviness. Rita's ices are fat free, cholesterol free and they also offer sugar free options. Rita's also features old-fashioned custard, a desert similar to soft-serve ice cream and described by customers as "velvet on your tongue."



Mark and Esther McKenna were BOAI (born on another island, Long Island, New York). "We lived most of our lives in a beach community and were looking to relocate to a similar locale, but one that was warmer all year 'round," they said. "Galveston was a perfect fit."

And they say they could not have done it without the SBDC. "Their assistance in getting our small businesses off the ground was nothing short of indispensable."

Rita's Galveston is open seven days a week from noon to 8 p.m. The store is located at the corner of 61Street and Seawall Blvd. For more information, call the store at 409-744-ICES (4237) or visit them on the Web at www.ritasgalveston.com or on Facebook: Rita's Galveston for the flavors and specials of the day.

Speedy's Printing
Success Story

Galveston Speedy Printing Speedy's Printing has been in business in Galveston for over 47 years. It is a family owned business started by the current owners' father, Isaac (Speedy) & Sophie Kaplan. One of the current owners, Leon Kaplan, has been working with Consultant Carroll Cobb for several months in an effort to reposition the business following Hurricane Ike. Like many other businesses on the island, Speedy's suffered a total loss of its street level offices, although there was minimal damage to the equipment and offices located on the second level. Also, the business suffered from very significant losses in revenues, because many of its customers either closed or spent many months struggling to get their businesses reopened after Ike.

Mr. Kaplan worked with his SBDC consultant, Carroll Cobb to prioritize the issues concerning his business. The first priority after getting the business reopened was to implement new cash management strategies to speed up cash flow and maximize the efficiency of cash utilization to offset the impact of reduced revenues. At the same time, Mr. Kaplan worked diligently with his banker, Mr. Marvin Langston at Hometown Bank of Galveston and other creditors to "buy time" until the business could recover insurance settlements that were long delayed or denied following the storm.

The second priority was to implement a marketing strategy to recapture some of the lost customers, gain new customers, and expand the sales from existing customers. Galveston Speedy Printing Customer Service Counter The printing industry has undergone enormous changes during the past five years. Customers are now able to print many documents for themselves that previously were sent out to printers. On-line printing companies also pose a competitive challenge. At the same time, the cost of paper and printing supplies has increased. The Kaplans, Frank (Leon's brother) & Arriene (Leon's sister-in-law) have worked very hard with their consultant Carroll Cobb to devise and implement a strategy to overcome these challenges.

The result of all these efforts is that the business has survived, a significant amount of capital has been invested, and six jobs have been saved.