Franklin Business Center: Year End Review
2024 was an exciting year for the Franklin Business Center! As we wrap things up and reflect upon our accomplishments, we are proud of the hard work and achievements of our small business clients, but also the support and collaboration between staff members and volunteer mentors, board members, and vendors. It has truly been a team effort!
6 New Leases Signed Totaling 1,475 Square Feet
In 2024, we welcomed six new clients to the small business program and the Franklin Business Center community, including Legacy Logistics, N Green Investigations & Legal Research Support, Phases Family Services, Ready Set Care Home Health Care, The Wallace Corporation, and Wonderwall Therapeutics.
3 Expansion Leases Signed Totaling 1,650 Square Feet
Summit Design and Engineering improved their existing 950 SF space and scaled up to an anchor position and a 5-year lease to accommodate their growing engineering firm. Zeno Wellness Group signed leases for an additional 550 square feet of private office space to offer more programs. This expansion makes Zeno Wellness Group the largest client at FBC as far as the amount of space occupied. Traci Butler of Wonderwall Therapeutics added 150 additional square feet in a second private office to expand her service offerings and won “Best Mental Health Services Provider” in the Tidewater News’ Hometown Choice Awards.
2 Graduates… Both Multiple-Time Award Winners in the Tidewater News’ Hometown Choice Awards!
Darlene Smithwick, owner of Hometown Realty, exited the entrepreneur program after only two years, and relocated her business and professional real estate team to 1010 Armory Drive in Franklin. Alicia Middleton and Shadonna Warren, owners of We Are All One Home Health Care, also moved out of the program and relocated their headquarters to 220 Middle Street in Franklin. We are proud to brag that both businesses are multiple-time award winners in the Tidewater News’ Hometown Choice Awards including titles of “Best Real Estate Agent/Brokerage” and “Best In-Home Elderly Care Services”, respectively. These super-achievers have created over 50 jobs for our community.
Professional Development and Client Relations
Franklin Southampton Economic Development, Inc. and the Franklin Business Center hosted several professional development and networking events in 2024 benefiting the clients here as well as the locality’s greater business community. In January, an Introduction to QuickBooks “Lunch and Learn” event was led by Lynn Ailsworth of Ailsworth Accounting and Software Solutions. In May, in partnership with the Franklin Southampton Area Chamber of Commerce, and in honor of National Small Business Appreciation Week, a business networking breakfast was held, featuring guest speakers from the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, Camp Community College’s Workforce Development, and the Small Business Development Center of Hampton Roads. December was a very busy month featuring a free 2-day community headshot event led by Brittney Vandiford Photography where over 70 business professionals spruced up their business profile images for the new year. Complimentary business counseling sessions occurred year-round with services from our on-site mentor, Chuck Bradshaw, as well as SBDC’s Senior Business Analyst in Hampton Roads, Bill Holloran. We celebrated the end of 2024 with a Holiday Client Social and a “Deck the Doors” door decorating contest and card-making activity benefitting local seniors.
Monday Food Truck Frenzy!
When the City of Franklin adopted its food truck ordinance in August of 2023, it opened the doors for some awesome lunch options for us in 2024. With many restaurants being closed on Mondays, the idea was born to bring some of these certified food trucks to the Franklin Business Center on those days to serve the clients here as well as the downtown business community. It began on a month-to-month basis with 2021 StartUp Winner, Farm Fed Food Truck serving their famous “Pancit & Lumpia” and “OG” chicken sandwiches, quesadillas, and more. Later in the year, the spotlight was shared with The Lighthouse Project serving their fabulous sandwiches, wraps, bowls, smoothies and pressed juices. Have you tried the “Turkey Royale Spinach Wrap” or an “Acai Bowl” yet? These fantastic food truck businesses have helped us lay out the entire schedule for 2025…so… most Mondays (except holidays), typically from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM, plan on grabbing lunch at the Franklin Business Center!
Franklin Business Center Advisory Board
In 2024, Crystal Butler of Crystal Marketing Solutions took the reigns as the Chairwoman of the 11-seat advisory board that governs the Franklin Business Center Program and Randolph Cook of Summit Design and Engineering accepted a nomination to fill the “Entrepreneur-at-Large” position. Pam Lease of Bronco Federal Credit Union and Patty Rhodes of State Farm Insurance agreed to accept board nominations to renew their current board positions for an additional 3-year term each. Roselyn Oglesby joined the board in November as the fixed-seat position of Franklin City Manager, after it was temporarily filled by Darlen Burcham, who was the interim in the position for part of the year. The board met 6 times in 2024 to review and vote on new program applicants and to oversee policies and procedures. For a complete list of Franklin Business Center Advisory Board Members visit us at https://franklinsouthamptonva.com/franklin-business-center/.
Occupancy Rate and Current Availability
As of 12/31/2024 we were 78% occupied, with 35 clients being served. We currently have 9 vacancies ranging from 125 to 1640 square feet. If you are an aspiring entrepreneur with a for-profit business plan, you may be a good fit for the Franklin Business Center incubator office program. For more information or to schedule a tour, call Kim Tucker, Business Development Manager at 757-562-1958 or visit us at https://franklinsouthamptonva.com/franklin-business-center/.