CANTON, Ohio — Aaron Dukes enjoys owning his own business: Pristine Steam Wash, a mobile car detail and cleaning service. For seven years he's made vehicles of Canton drivers look brand new.
"It has been going pretty well. We've been growing every year. So, auto detailing has been the thing for me," said Aaron Dukes.
But Dukes knew things could be better.
"It's very tough, I'm in the jobs all the time,” remarked Dukes. “I'm doing it by myself. I had a team some time, but then I won't have a team."
For help retaining workers and taking his business to the next level, a customer referred him to JumpStart, an economic development agency that recently expanded to Stark County. Dan Brown, an entrepreneur in residence and business founder, was ready to lend a hand.
"Every day I get to bring my entrepreneurial hat to work and assist, small business owners like Aaron as needed on the problems that they're encountering," said JumpStart’s Entrepreneur in Residence for Stark County, Dan Brown.
Dukes was one of five business owners to go through the inaugural Small Business Impact Program in the county. For 12 weeks they networked and were mentored.
"Really, that program is designed for small businesses that are looking to scale, that have been around for a couple of years,” said Brown. “So that we can work with previous financial history to help you guide where you're going."
"I've been able to continue to grow my business. I've learned different things,” stated Dukes. The program concludes with a "Shark Tank" style pitch competition with a 10-thousand-dollar grand prize.
"That pitch competition just helps you just break down your business to be able to share with the community what your business is about," said Dukes. "In that process, you're actually learning this yourself. You're like, wow, I didn't even know this. Where our business could be going three years from now."
The Impact Program began in Cleveland. In fact Brown was one of the first to go through it, after starting Rust Belt Riders Composting, which reduces food waste while providing jobs. Rust Belt Riders grew from a couple of employees to a team of 35 serving most of Cuyahoga County. Success, Stark County leaders wanted to see.
"They said we want to see those results here in our community and we think that there's a deficit and there's a gap in this ecosystem that JumpStart uniquely could fill," recalls Brown.
Thanks to the advice Dukes received he's cleaning up. Going after more fleet contracts. Creating a strong business for himself, his community and his family.
"You know, I'm building a legacy for them, making sure that I'm continuously building my business,” said Dukes. "Just having something of my own to build and pass on to my family."
JumpStart is taking applications for the next Stark County Small Business Impact Program, kicking off in September. Participating businesses receive 25 hundred dollars with the winner of the pitch competition getting 10 thousand dollars. To apply click here.