In 2004, owners Marthalyn Schimsa, in photo, and Allison Wilks opened The Greek Store and More located on Saluda Avenue after thorough planning with the SC Women's Business Center.

Three years ago, Clemson University sophomore Rebecca Schimsa remarked to her mother Marthalyn that many of her USC friends were not finding a wide array of sorority and fraternity merchandise in the Columbia area. Rebecca often received requests from USC friends to purchase sorority merchandise on the ride home from Clemson. She suggested to her mother that a gift shop targeting school organizations would be well received in Columbia.

Marthalyn Schimsa and Allison Wilks, both teachers at the time, realized this could indeed be an exciting venture for them. But they wanted to make sure the business would be profitable as well. They decided to drop by the S.C. Women's Business Center (SC WBC) on Calhoun Street to talk further about the idea. Schimsa said SC WBC representative Bill Littlejohn was enthusiastic and supportive. He led them through key phases of business and financial planning, ensuring a successful start for their store.

Schimsa and Wilks opened The Greek Store and More for business in 2004. The shop is conveniently located within walking distance of USC students at 745 Saluda Avenue.

The Greek Store and More became a reality after thorough market analysis and business planning. Yet Schimsa and Wilks battled unforeseen obstacles soon after their grand opening. Construction in the Five Points area changed the flow of traffic and parking in the area. The Greek Store and More owners developed new marketing strategies to keep their customers coming by lengthening store hours during certain events, as well as working out a schedule for groups.

As The Greek Store and More owners can attest, the SC WBC is helpful to women who are just starting out, as well as those who already own a business. The organization offers individual consultation as well as regularly scheduled seminars. During the past four years, the SC WBC assisted 2,490 individuals and helped 86 businesses start up. The SC WBC also organized 118 training events, in turn reaching about 2,684 people.

Carol Robinson instructs a course entitled Core Four, which is offered through the SC WBC. The course enables participants to analyze their obstacles and be cognizant of them," she said. She listed a few obstacles that prevent women from opening their own business and suggestions to surmount those obstacles:

+ Education in the basics of entrepreneurship: It is now an objective of some school districts (i.e. Richland School District Two), colleges and other institutions to offer this subject.

+Learn about money management and understand how to generate wealth. Too often women have never been responsible for money and its management.

+ Create and manage a growth strategy to take the business to the next step.

+Avoid inadequate planning by developing a well thought-out business plan.

Robinson added that securing capital for business startup is a common obstacle as well.

"Let's face it," she said, "Running a business is hard work, or everyone would be doing it and succeeding at it. Women need to know exactly what they are up against and conduct a personal analysis of their commitment, financial situation, and willingness to give it their all."

"You should go into business to make money, and it should support the financial needs of the owner and the owner's family," she advised. "In other words it should be more than a hobby."

The SC WBC offers a variety of courses for women interested in opening their own business. Courses include:

"How to Start Your Own Business in S.C." provides participants with the tools to start a business on the right path. It is a three-hour course

"Core Four" guides participants through success planning, market planning, cash flow planning, and operations planning. The course entails a total of 12 hours of training, three hours per week for four weeks.

To register for a course or to arrange a consultation, contact the SC Women's Business Center, 817 Calhoun Street, Columbia, SC 29201; (803) 461-8900.