Frog Leap Wellness

 

Frog Leap Wellness: A Journey to Success

Kate and Dale at table under Frog Leap wellness sign Kate, a Southeast native and retired Brigadier General, and Dale, a Northeast transplant with over 50 years in the natural health industry, both found their permanent homes in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina. Their paths crossed in Waynesville in 2008, and by 2016, they were co-workers with a shared passion for helping people and a dream of owning a business.

In December 2022, Kate and Dale decided to turn their dream into reality. They sought assistance from the Haywood Community College Small Business Center, which played a crucial role in their journey. The SBC provided:

  • Business Plan Assistance: Helped develop a comprehensive business plan.
  • Startup Budgets and Cost Analysis: Assisted in creating realistic startup budgets and conducting cost analysis.
  • Research and Referrals: Conducted market research and provided referrals to local business experts.
  • Certifications and Financing: Guided them through obtaining necessary certifications and exploring financing options.
  • Grant Programs: Informed them about relevant grant programs.
  • Counseling and Seminars: Kate and Dale invested significant time in their business education, attending numerous seminars and counseling sessions. They participated in:
  • Counseling Hours: Over 50 hours on one-on-one counseling with SBC advisors plus the SBC provided over 32 hours of non-contact work in the areas of marketing including the use of social media, website development, product transfers and other areas of business operations.
  • Seminars: Attended 6 seminars on business management, marketing, and finance.

The SBC team was instrumental in the success of Frog Leap Wellness. Their support included:

  • Website Development: Assisted in building a website with one of the SBC partner Subject Matter Experts, which went live in October 2023, featuring over 700 natural health products.
  • Networking: Encouraged participation in festivals, educational conferences, and influential associations like the National Product Association (NPA) and the Alliance for National Health Association (ANA).

“Without the unwavering support and guidance from the SBC, Frog Leap Wellness would still be a dream. Their expertise and dedication were the deal-makers in our journey. We are forever grateful!” – Kate and Dale

In January 2024, Frog Leap Wellness expanded from a 300 sq. ft. web-based business to a 600 sq. ft. space at Lake Junaluska. They had invested much money into developing their website, purchasing product inventory, and seeking professional assistance, but Kate and Dale knew that their value was in connecting with customers and matching them with the products that they need. This convinced them that having a storefront with traffic was imperative to their success. They had the best products on the market but competing online isn’t the same as building in-person relationships with friends, neighbors, community members and visitors.

By April, they found their perfect brick-and-mortar location at 1082 N Main St, Waynesville, North Carolina. They knew the space was larger than they needed, and it required some significant remodeling, which would require another significant financial investment. They applied for funding through a couple of local CDFIs, but the process was long, and they needed to commit to the space as it was highly competitive. After several discussions and analysis, they determined it would be best to access funding through their sources. Once they received the funding, the new brick-and-mortar storefront, located on a major thoroughfare connecting the highway to downtown Waynesville, held a soft opening on Wednesday, June 26, 2024.

Both Kate and Dale operate the store, creating a full-time job for each of them. They are exploring the idea of hiring a part-time employee to assist with operating which could eventually lead to full-time.

Frog Leap Wellness aims to educate and share health information, creating a unique shopping experience for customers. Their logo, a happy frog on a lily pad next to a lotus flower, symbolizes transformation, resilience, and life’s fragility.

Kate and Dale’s story is a testament to the power of collaboration and support from the SBC. Their journey from dreamers to successful business owners highlights the significant impact of the SBC’s involvement in fostering new business start-ups.