Congratulations are in order for Kay Supply of Snowflake, Navajo County recipient of the 2016 Small Business Development Center Success Award.
The award was bestowed by the Small Business Development Center of Arizona (AZSBDC), which offers counseling, workshops, training and other resources to help the state’s entrepreneurs reach their fullest potential.
The center operates statewide in partnership with county community colleges, Northland Pioneer College in this area, and through additional state funding.
“We recognize the people who do the hard work, who take the risks, who persevere and do what they need to do to become successful,” said AZSBDC State Director Janice Washington, MBA, CPA.
“For some of our winners, this is an incredible honor. They never expected it, they were simply there doing what they do and servicing their clients. So to have somebody come out of the blue and say, ‘Congratulations, you are a success,’ is really an encouragement to them and that is part of our role,” she said.
The accolade marks a 10-year milestone for Kay Supply, which began its building supplies enterprise in 2006 with only two employees.
One short year later, Kay Supply built a 4,000-square foot showroom and 22,000-square foot warehouse to continue meeting the needs of the area, adding 51 employees to its roster, as well as operations in Taylor, Pinetop and Show Low.
In 2013, the company was introduced to the services provided by the NPC SBDC. Kay Supply owner Terrill Kay credits the accomplishments to the counseling he and his team received.
“If you’re looking to start a business, they will give you guidance in what it’s going to take to do that.
“If you’re an existing business, they will allow you to come in, discuss your business, and provide you with resources to know how to grow your business, how you compare to other businesses like yours, and also provide classes that will allow you to learn,” the latter of which Kay says he found invaluable in maintaining stable and consistent growth.
Kay encourages area entrepreneurs to take full advantage of local educational resources like NPC’s SBDC.
“AZSBDC changed Kay Supply. We were able to expand our business when we brought in lumber, and as a result we were better able to know how to negotiate with banks,” said Kay.
“They gave us a lot of knowledge, and our businesses have continued to grow. I can’t say enough good things about them.”
District III Supervisor Jason Whiting, who joined county officials in recognizing Kay Supply’s achievements, continues to champion county business development.
“It’s important that we continue to partner with local businesses, and to find opportunities to help open doors for them,” he said.
