For more than 30 years, Appalachian Center for Economic Networks, or ACEnet, has been helping small business owners in 32 counties across the state bring their ideas to fruition.
Starting a small business may seem like an intimidating endeavor.
For more than 30 years, however, the business incubator, Appalachian Center for Economic Networks, or ACEnet, has been helping small business owners in 32 counties across the state bring their ideas to fruition.
“Basically, people describe us as a community development corporation,” said ACEnet executive director Larry Fisher. “We’re about raising people up in our community, helping them find economic opportunities, grow their own businesses and support everyone from low income, all the way up to people that have resources.”
Inexpensive office space available in ACEnet’s facilities, located at 94 Columbus Rd. in Athens, is beneficial for small businesses just getting off the ground. ACEnet also has an additional facility in Nelsonville.
“Our buildings are used for renting out to new business start-ups or existing businesses that are looking to grow wealth and expand,” Fisher said. “A lot of people starting small businesses need small space, and it’s not available in Athens.”
Businesses looking to work with ACEnet must fill out an intake form and are evaluated to see if they are a good fit for the incubator.
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ACEnet has helped jumpstart many local businesses in the Athens area, including the food company Vino de Milo, Matrix J Technologies and Herbal Sage Tea Company, all of which are housed at ACEnet’s Athens campus.
Danielle Young, owner of the chemical-free cleaning product company Nature’s Magic, has also grown her business through ACEnet.
“I partnered with them nearly 3 years ago, and things have grown immensely since,” Young said in an email. “Not only have they given me an affordable space to create products, they have also provided my business with marketing, sales, networking, and learning expertise along the way.”
Jackie O’s Pub and Brewery has also utilized ACEnet’s facilities. Tom Potter, the bar’s kitchen manager, said Jackie O’s transferred their bakery production to ACEnet after the Union Street fire damaged their kitchen in late 2014.
“(After the fire) we moved our bakery to ACEnet, and they started producing bread and buns for us,” Potter said. “We used the place quite a lot, and it really helped during our renovations.”
Fisher said dealing with different types of small businesses presents its challenges, but each owner is generally looking for the same thing.
“Everyone comes with a different set of needs. It could be a food business, it could be cleaning products, it could be a masseuse, it could be counselors,” he said. “But they all come looking for business assistance and getting their business launched, and they’re looking for a safe place to network and to have a small place to prove their concept.”
When analyzing new clients, Fisher said it is important to make sure the person is willing and able to develop their concept to turn a profit.
“We’re looking for people who are wanting to create wealth for themselves ... and who are also looking to hire people and expand their business to where they would have other employees,” Fisher said. “But we make everyone aware of the situations they may be facing, because self-employment is not for everyone.”
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