NCC Small Business Center Client Starts New Business
Dorothy & Aldrick Williams
Setting an example for his two sons was the motivation Aldrick Williams carried with him every day to work as a probation officer. Making things right in the world was his natural instinct; however, the demands of the job gave Aldrick pause. His wife Dorothy, a second grade teacher, expressed concern for her husband’s safety and expressed how much the family needed more of his time. The couple knew there must be another way for Aldrick to provide for the family.
Aldrick confided in his brother, Dominic Williams, about the amount of stress he was under juggling the demands of his job, playing an active role in raising his sons, and easing Dorothy’s concerns. Dominic suggested he consider professional truck driving and explained the day-in-the-life of a truck driver, as well as extended an invitation for Aldrick to ride shot-gun. Aldrick enjoyed the experience so much that he took the next step and began studying the Commercial Driver’s Licensing (CDL) Manual. Persistence and dedication paid off as Aldrick successfully completed the DMV written CDL test. With the first challenge successfully met, he was ready to learn to drive the truck.
Aldrick and Dorothy Wililliams were full of anticipation imagining what a new career would mean for their family. “We took a leap of faith and established the Limited Liability Company, LLC, in December before I even earned my CDL license,” Aldrick said. And, Dorothy committed to learning about the business behind trucking: keeping books, taxes and such. “Less than three weeks after the LLC was set-up, I was attending the first of many Business Start-up seminars to be prepared to support my husband,” Dorothy said. “He meets the physical demands of the job that I cannot, but I contribute by keeping good records and automating systems. The NCC Small Business Center seminars laid the foundation we needed to start the business.”
Over the next five months Dorothy learned about bookkeeping, taxes, loan preparation, and QuickBooks while Aldrick continued to hone his driving skills to successfully complete the road test. The two bought a truck and the following week, Aldrick earned his CDL license. Once the trailer was purchased, Hulk Transports LLC was officially in business generating revenue. “It was hard at times because we both have full-time jobs, so we worked on the business during any free time we could find. We took turns with the boys in the evenings, but we never lost sight of the goal,” Aldrick recalls.
The Small Business Center at Nash Community College continues to provide assistance to the business owners. More recently Dorothy met Theresa Peaden, NCC SBC Director, during a phone consultation to discuss needs of the business regarding taxes and regulations. Dorothy was provided resources to help her through navigating the new business territory. “I have learned so much about business through the Small Business Center at Nash, but I am also aware of areas that I need to strengthen to help my husband build a stable business.”
The Nash Community College Small Business Center provides free, confidential counseling services and a variety of workshops and courses for new and existing businesses. Available on an as-needed basis, the Center’s services act as a sounding board for ideas and concerns that clients may have about their business. For more information, contact Theresa Peaden at 252-451-8233 or trpeaden297@nashcc.edu or visit www.nashcc.edu/sbc.
