Terry’s Story
By Johanna Kroth, ARC of Stanly County
At 22-years old, Terry is energetic and has a great sense of humor. He first attended the Stanly Industrial Service Vocational Program part-time when he was still attending school half days. He was chosen as a participant in the Rural Institute’s Rural Entrepreneurship and Self-Employment Expansion Design Project (RESEED) because he had been considered “unemployable” by local service agencies and also numerous agency staff.
Terry had a history of “challenging behaviors,” including property destruction and running away from his group home and the workshop. He did not like the sub-contract production related work that he was assigned in the workshop and would frequently try to run away, as often as a few times a month to a few times a day. He also used gestures that many considered inappropriate for a work place. A few staff that worked closely with Terry were convinced he had enormous potential that was not being utilized and that many of the behavioral issues were expressions of his boredom and dissatisfaction with what he was doing. We felt that he would be the perfect individual to demonstrate to others how anyone could become employed if the correct approach and process were utilized.
We started by having a team meeting with Terry, his family, staff working with him, and our Rural Institute consultant Dave Hammis. Aspects of the personal futures planning process were incorporated in this meeting, which resulted in a list of places and opportunities to explore based on Terry’s interests. After taking Terry to over a dozen prospective businesses, the team focused on Terry’s apparent love of dirt, the outdoors, and plants. Although Terry was often labeled as reckless or destructive, he was extremely tender and gentle with plants. He visited several local greenhouses and nurseries with much enthusiasm and he and his staff received a lot of encouragement and useful advice about the greenhouse business.
Community Opportunities
During this time an opportunity arose to purchase a greenhouse and the team agreed to do so. Agency funds were used for this purchase, since it was so early in the process and no other funding could be identified quickly. Initially staff wanted to place the greenhouse on agency property, right next to the vocational workshop. All were reminded that the focus of this project and our agency was community involvement. We did not need or want another extension of our existing workshop.
Several staff tried to find the right location and the right person to collaborate with for the greenhouse. After some searching, a staff member gave us a lead. He introduced us to two brothers, Danny and Ricky Thompson of Windy Hills Farms, who had their own small business growing and selling produce. They had several ideas to expand their business. Danny Thompson had drawn a sketch of the produce stand, with strawberry fields behind it and greenhouse beside it. He had the produce stand under construction and the strawberry plants started in the field. They had wanted a greenhouse but did not have the capital to obtain and open one. When asked, he was willing to consider having someone start a greenhouse business next to his produce stand. They also did not have the capital to have water hooked up on the site for the stand and for irrigation of the fields. They were open minded and willing to listen to possible ideas of how they could work together with Terry, who was presented as already having a greenhouse and needing a place for it.
Funding
After a few meetings (some with our Rural Institute consultant’s involvement) we developed an agreement for Terry to set up his greenhouse next to their produce stand. Part of the agreement was that Terry would assist them by paying for the water hookup and his doing so would be considered his advance lease payment for the space for the greenhouse.
A business plan was written and Terry was referred to Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) for assistance. The original business plan requested a total of $3,900, but was revised at the request of the local VR office to $2,900. Due to turnover at the VR office, it was quite some time before the actual plan was submitted for approval to the state office in Raleigh. Terry received $1,850 toward the water hookup, $500 for supplies, $400 for business liability insurance, and $150 for a conditional use permit, which was required by the county.
We are in the process of requesting some additional funding through VR. Due to the delay in approval of the plan combined with the need to get started on time for the planting season, expenses were incurred prior to the funds arriving and these expenses were not reimbursable according to VR. Originally we were told that these expenses would be reimbursable and since we had never done anything like this before, none of us really knew how this would be handled.
Having to go through a lengthy and cumbersome process to get required county permits delayed the raising and opening of the greenhouse. In an effort to salvage important spring sales, a small temporary greenhouse was purchased and put in Danny’s yard while we were waiting to be able to legally put up and open Terry’s Greenhouse at it’s location near the produce stand in the town of Pee Dee, NC. This allowed Terry, with staff’s assistance, to start a variety of vegetable and flower seedlings. By the time all legal requirements were satisfied, Terry had enough plants ready to fill his 14" X 30" greenhouse. Terry’s Greenhouse officially opened on April 9, 2001.
Actually receiving the money for the water hookup was quite cumbersome and we ended up having to go back to the state office in Raleigh for approval. They had difficulty understanding the concept of the arrangement and the approval of leases had to be done by a different department from the one that approved the rest of the business plan. A written agreement was drafted and sent to the state and the state ended up sending the money directly to Windy Hills Farms instead of to Terry’s Greenhouse. Because this took so long, the greenhouse ended up opening up without water. After watching us carry water in for a few days the neighbor let us borrow his hose until it was finally hooked up. This neighbor has his own small framing business next door, and framed the first dollar that Terry’s Greenhouse’s made for Terry free of charge. He has been quite supportive of Terry and his business.
Terry continues an informal partnership with Windy Hills Farms and grows and sells plants to them in addition to selling plants to the public. He sells plants at his greenhouse and has also sold some through a beauty shop a few miles away and in front of the agency’s ARC General Store.
Marketing
Terry’s Greenhouse has advertised in the local newspaper, agency newsletters, and has also distributed flyers throughout the community. Terry was proud of some the original flyers we developed and carried them around to show people. Plans to continue marketing and updating flyers and advertisements seasonally are in place. The old adage “there’s no such thing as bad publicity” proved true in Terry’s case. Shortly after the business opened, Terry ran away from staff, way off into the woods, and 911 had to be called twice in one week. This was quite a commotion for a small community. News of Terry’s business spread like wild fire.
When the team realized that on both occasions when Terry ran away he was wearing his swimming trunks under his jeans, swimming time was scheduled in for him in addition to other reinforcing activities. The decision was made to fence in the area, which we hope will be a precaution against theft and vandalism also. These supports made the difference for Terry and helped relieve the safety concerns of his team members.
Terry loves having his own business and is very aware that he is the boss and that it is his greenhouse. If you visit him he might try to put you to work. He works at the greenhouse six days a week and has hired someone to water his plants on Sundays so that he can visit his family on that day. He likes being at the greenhouse. He also enjoys his relationship with the Thompson brothers, who have provided continuing support and advice for Terry and his business. They have continued to improve and expand their business, too. The relationship has been rewarding and mutually beneficial.
The entire process has been a tremendously challenging and rewarding learning experience for everyone that has been involved. This includes Terry’s planning team and many people that were not even directly involved. It has dramatically changed the perspective held by Terry’s mom, agency staff, case managers, VR counselors, and community members. The quality of Terry’s life has improved and it has changed course. Another result has been numerous and frequent requests by Terry’s peers to start their own businesses. Prior to this venture, staff and participants probably would not have even considered the idea of small business ownership a viable option. They have seen a dream come true.
Contact Information
Johanna Kroth
Stanly Industrial Service
A Division of ARC Services, Inc.
730 Greenwood Street
P.O. Box 2448
Albemarle, NC 28002-0068
(704) 983-2174