Success Story - The Teachers' Connection, LLC
Melinda McKinney started the Teachers’ Connection after doing extensive market research. She found that a need existed and how she could fulfill that need. McDowell County does not have a store for teachers to purchase school supplies, materials, bulletin board materials, etc. They carry teacher supplies by Carson-Dellosa, Creative Teaching Press and others. They also carry children toys by Melissa and Doug. Local teachers now have to go to Asheville or Morganton for those products. Dean Kanipe, the Small Business Center Director at McDowell Technical Community College, worked with Melinda to create a survey through Survey Monkey to see the demand for the products from the area teachers. Over 250 teachers responded. All responses were positive for locating a store here. It also gave her an idea of what products to carry in her store. Melinda attended the eight week NC REAL class that McDowell Tech’s Small Business Center offers and completed her business plan. She has two full time employees and two part-time employees. It is located at 1423 US Highway 70 West in Marion, NC 28752. Their website is: www.TheTeachersConnection.com