HMC Performance Coatings, a Hobby Monster Customs, LLC company is family owned and operated in Tonganoxie, Kansas.
Once a personal hobby that ‘morphed out of control’ HMC was developed as a full-service powder coating facility for custom and manufacturing projects.
In January of 2014 on the recommendation of a business acquaintance, the team at HMC contacted the Kansas SBDC at the University of Kansas (KU). Initially the big challenge was to conduct market research to test the theory that the retail business would succeed. However, as the business changed its focus, the challenge shifted from marketing to business development. As the company has grown, the challenges have shifted.
HMC is a great example of how the SBDC works with a client business as their needs change over time. The following is a short Q & A with the HMC team that highlights their experience with the SBDC team.
Kansas SBDC: What specific challenge(s) prompted you to contact the Kansas SBDC?
HMC Performance: Entrepreneurship comes with a host of challenges. We had an amazing vision, but in truth, we knew very little about planning, launching or building a business. In our search to learn more, we discovered America’s SBDC Kansas at the University of Kansas. Initially, we reached out for assistance in finalizing our business plan to obtain funding. Will Katz, our SBDC advisor helped to educate us on the vast support and resources available to entrepreneurs ready to build a successful business for little or no costs. The SBDC has become HMC’s “one stop shop” for business related resources. Despite what many might believe, the challenges of entrepreneurship do not get smaller as the business grows, however, our capacity to meet those challenges continue to develop thanks to the mentoring and coaching relationship we have with SBDC.
Kansas SBDC: How did your Kansas SBDC advisor or advisor team help you overcome these challenges? What solutions did you and your advisor discover together?
HMC Performance: As new entrepreneurs with limited business background we understood that we had many challenges ahead of us. HMC initially launched as a ATV/UTV specialty shop, offering powder coating services to further customize the machines. Within the first few months of business, the demand for our outstanding powder coat finishes and fast-growing reputation of unbeatable customer service spread well beyond our atv/ utv enthusiasts. The revenue trend of our powder coating services continued to grow and consume all our available resources. Armed with our company’s data, HMC worked closely with the SBDC to determine which path was best for the future of Hobby Monster Customs; continue to stretch HMC resources to “stick” with the original business plan OR use our data, embrace it, and redefine who we would become. The opportunity to work closely with Will analyzing balance sheets, profit/loss statements, and further market research allowed us to become laser focused on the profitable stream of the business and develop a plan for eliminating less profitable sections of the business. This was a momentous decision with great outcomes for our business.
Kansas SBDC: What specific results or outcomes have you experienced in your business since implementing these solutions? How have these results changed your business?
HMC Performance: HMC has experienced tremendous growth since focusing solely on powder-coating and media blasting services. Our business went from one employee to one part-time and 16 fulltime employees, with an increased facility of 8,400 square feet from 3,600 square feet since our doors opened for business four years ago. HMC continues to grow and looks forward to another successful year capitalizing on low cost professional development courses and other resources of the SBDC.
More about HMC Performance Coatings
Website: HMC Performance Coatings
Facebook: HMC Performance Coatings
Kansas SBDC Advisors
Will Katz, KU
Jack Harwell, JCCC
How Kansas SBDC helped HMC Performance Coatings
Cash Flow Projections
Business Plan
Marketing Plan
Market Research
ProfitCents Analysis
Strategic Management Program
