Chamber’s Business Development Division announces March ‘Business of Month’

Published 9:23 am Wednesday, April 3, 2019

AMERICUS — The Sumter County Chamber of Commerce announces the March 2019 “Business of the Month” — Mobile Glassblowing Studios LLC. The “Business of the Month” Program is designed to spotlight a member business each month that does an exceptional job of serving its customers and the community. John Stovall, chair of the Business Development Division, said, “Businesses are a vital part of our community and we want to be able to recognize them for their contributions. We feel this program can help shine a light on a successful business as well as commend them for their commitment to the Chamber and the community.”
Mobile Glassblowing Studios owners Chuck Wells and Phil Vinson began their business in 2015. Wells and Vinson were committed to providing all those with interest in glass blowing a place where it was affordable, and simple a way to experience hot glass in a wide range of environments. Using their furnaces, they have been able to bring the world of hot glass to audiences who might have never experienced this amazing process otherwise, thus spreading an appreciation for how things are made to venues not traditionally thought of as “art markets.” Wells and Vinson were asked the question, “What do you enjoy most about owning a business in Southwest Georgia?” They answered, “Southwest Georgia is an affordable place to start a business. Americus is a business-friendly community that is easy to work with the City and our landlords, providing reasonable operation cost that has allowed them to exist as an emerging business.” They added that having a great level of skilled labor coming from both Georgia Southwestern State University and South Georgia Technical College is an asset they appreciate in having their business in Americus.
Their advice to entrepreneurs interested in starting their own business are to have a solid mission with a clear plan, develop a healthy habit of proper documentation and bookkeeping skills, and build and maintain positive relationships with local vendors.