Business class winner will open store at Burlington Outlet Village
Mike Wilder / Times-News
2009-08-21 17:53:07
M.J. Simmons has made all-natural soap for 9 years.
She’s given it away to friends, done word-of-mouth sales and sold it at farmers’ markets and craft
shows.
This fall, she’s jumping into a full-fledged business effort. She won’t do it alone.
Simmons, who lives in southern Caswell County, will open a business in Burlington Outlet Village
off Maple Avenue and Chapel Hill Road.
As part of an entrepreneur class offered by Alamance Community College’s Small Business Center
that received support from the outlet village, Simmons was picked to receive free retail space for
one year. That will be on Plaza Drive in the outlet village, which is donating the space for that
time.
The Times-News has also been involved in promoting the class and the winning business.
Simmons began making the soap and other all-natural products, including lotion bars and
perfumes, because she is sensitive to synthetics. She makes her products using food oils, essential
oils, herbs and spices.
People say their skin has benefited and they don’t have unpleasant reactions to her products.
“I think that is because they are natural,” she said.
Simmons plans to have local artists and craftsmen feature items such as pottery, glasswork and
woodwork in the business. There will be classroom space that will help the business serve as a
“center for green living.”
Classes will teach skills such as using natural ingredients to make cosmetics. That’s a product
Simmons hopes to eventually offer.
Susan Holland, who does marketing for Burlington Outlet Village, helped with the
entrepreneurship class and will provide free promotional services to Simmons and her business.
She said Simmons was the winner for two reasons – a product that will stand out in the local
market and a strong business plan.
Holland said the store is expected to open in October, “in time for the holiday shopping season.”
Milele Archibald, director of the college’s Small Business Center, said the entrepreneurship class,
taught by Brice Watkins, will be taught again for eight consecutive Mondays beginning Sept. 14. It
will again be offered at the college’s Burlington Center, which is in Burlington Outlet Village. The
cost is $68. People who want more information or want to sign up for the class are asked to call
(336) 506-4311.
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The class will again include the competition for free retail space.
Burlington Outlet Village is owned by Anthony & Co., based in Raleigh.
Jim Anthony, the company’s CEO, said providing the free space is consistent with what the
company has done in other areas in an effort to help businesses and nonprofits get a strong start.
“We’re big believers in entrepreneurship,” he said.
Anthony said the company wants to hear from any others who have serious ideas about starting or
relocating a business and asked people to call either Holland at 376-3352 or leasing agent Kathy
Gigac at (919) 582-3130.
Scott Schuler of Anthony & Co. helped coordinate plans for the contest and said the effort is a
good example of the company’s mission statement, “transforming communities.” If all goes well,
he said, Simmons will realize a business dream, the center will have an attractive draw for
shoppers and customers will get access to products that are unique within the local market.