SCORE’s Mousetrap award winners
by Cape Business staffMost small businesses fail within the first five years. To recognize those that survive, SCORE awards its Build a Better Mousetrap award to small businesses that have survived the first five years and appear to be headed for long-term success. Each winner is chosen by a local chamber of commerce. In addition, Cape Cod SCORE presented its 2007 Small Business Owner of the Year award to Susan Stanley and Jack Hickey, owners of Schoolhouse Ice Cream & Yogurt of Harwich Port, who have been extremely successful with their establishment, which is one of two on the Cape to make its own ice cream and yogurt on premises.
We view these winners as prototypes for other small companies across the Cape. In addition to these capsule descriptions, we will periodically profile each of the winners to learn more about their missions, goals, strategies and tactics for success.
Brewster
Lisa Witzke, Naked Earth
Brewster
www.nakedearth.org
Naked Earth, owned by Lisa Witzke, offers healthy, fresh, organic, pure and natural foods and products. The business also strives to educate the customers about health and well-being through resources, alternative choices and individual attention.
Cape Cod Canal Region
Michael LaCava, Floor Coverings International of Wareham
East Wareham
www.floorcoveringsinternational.com
Michael LaCava, owner of Floor Coverings International of Wareham, has built this business franchise from the ground floor. He received the Presidents Circle Award from Floor Coverings International in recognition of outstanding business performance in sales growth, business management, customer service, marketing, and personal commitment.
Cape Cod Chamber
Bob Maffei, Maffei Landscape Contractors
Marston Mills
www.maffeilandscape.com
When Willowbend Development Corporation admired work Bob Maffei had completed near the upscale golf course community, it contacted Maffei Landscape Contractors. That was a tipping point. (See next page for a profile of Maffei.)
Chatham
Scott & Tina McDonald, Robert White, Jeffrey Heap, Chatham Village Market
Chatham
When the old A&P store in downtown Chatham closed its doors, four employees – Scott and Tina MacDonald, Robert White, and Jeffrey Heap – decided to draw on their knowledge of the grocery business and combined 90 years of experience to open the Chatham Village Market.
Dennis
Lynnette Walker, Yoga Center of Cape Cod
East Dennis
www.ccyogacenter.com
Director and owner Lynnette Walker, a native Cape Codder, notes that over time, with a consistent practice, yoga can help heal many physical conditions and emotional ones as well. This small, intimate and friendly studio will help support you in your journey.
Eastham
Alice Kuntz, GymKids Gymnastics
North Eastham
www.capegymkids.com
Owner Alice Kuntz opened GymKids five years ago. It specializes in small group instruction so students receive more attention and turns on the equipment. Strong basic skills are emphasized to provide the foundation for more difficult skills as the student progresses.
Falmouth
Greg Lanoue, Balanced Health & Fitness
East Falmouth
www.balancedhealthfitness.com
Greg Lanoue began his career in the fitness world as a salesman for NordicTrack and then became interested in personal fitness training. He now has a staff of 12, including four trainers. His goal is to “provide a state-of-the-art fitness facility, coupled with innovative programs and service oriented professional staff.”
Harwich
Jim & Marie David, Harbor Breeze Inn & Gardens
Harwich Port
www.harborbreezeinn.com
Owners Jim and Marie David have extended their seasonal business year-round, transforming the inn into a retreat site in the off-season, and equipping rooms with fireplaces to accommodate the colder weather.
Mashpee
Paula Peters & Mark Harding, WampWorx
Mashpee
www.wampworx.com
WampWorx is a Native American-owned and operated consulting and general contracting company, started seven years ago. It was developed to provide living-wage employment opportunities to tribal people indigenous to the region and other local workers.
Orleans
Ed & Laurie Maas, The Orleans Waterfront Inn
Orleans
www.orleansinn.com
Ed and Laurie Maas bought the then-bankrupt inn in 1996. Working together, the Maas family – including their son and twin daughters – has turned an abandoned, bankrupt business into one now rated in the top 10 performing hotels nationwide as recognized by Lodging Hospitality Magazine.
Sandwich
Robert & Joanne Guertin, Robert Guertin Jeweler, Inc.
Sandwich
www.robertguertinjeweler.com
After 27 years in the Cape Cod Mall, Bob and Joanne decided to relocate at Merchant Square in Sandwich. Their daughter is now carrying on the family tradition by designing and crafting her own line of jewelry that is sold in the store.
Truro
Bob Montano, Montano’s Restaurant
North Truro
www.mantanos.com
Montano’s was established in 1988 by Chef/Owner Bob Montano. Montano’s is opened every day year-round, and employs as many as 30 employees during the summer season. Many of these employees have been with Bob since he purchased the restaurant.
Wellfleet
Russ & Marie Swart, Russ and Marie’s Marconi Beach Restaurant
Wellfleet
www.marconibeachrestaurant.net
Smoke billowing from the front and rear of a restaurant is generally considered a bad sign. Not here, where the smoker out front is a major attraction – by sight and smell. "The secret is in the smoke and Doctor Russ's recipe," said Swart.
Yarmouth
Joan Gilbreth, Barn & Co.
Yarmouth Port
www.barnandco.com
Now open for 13 years, the Barn & Co. gift shop embodies Gilbreth’s philosophy of “care and respect for their customers and fellow employees.” Gilbreth uses email, e-newsletters and her Web site to direct traffic to her store. She recently opened a second store in Dennis called Details Cape Cod.
Published in Cape Business Sept/Oct 2007
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