SBC Success Story

At 13 years of age, Tommy Alphin knew he wanted to be a businessman and combine his love of the martial arts and business into a career. Now 13 years later, he has done just that, but he isn't standing still. He is still moving ahead and keeping up with the times.

The young entrepreneur has recently reopened a wireless internet cafe as part of his thriving King Tiger Tae Kwon Do school on Rouse Road. He has also acquired additional land beside the school and is already dreaming of plans for it.

Alphin offers instruction in Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido and other Korean Martial Arts, an after school program, a summer program and much more. He said he started in the martial arts when he was four or five years old. He said when he was 13, his parents offered him some money to purchase a car, but Alphin had other ideas. "I knew I could open a business with that money and buy cars with what I earned through the business," he said. He laughed and said his cars have turned into vans for the business for his afterschool and summer programs.

What did his parents think of the idea of starting a business? "They were really supportive," Alphin said. "They have always supported me." Not knowing quite where to start to make his idea come to life, Alphin said an advertisement for small businesses and the Lenoir Community College Small Business Center and contacted LCC Economic Development Director Alice Tingle.

"Back then, we didn't have the Microenterprise Loan Program," Tingle recalls. "I was impressed with his enthusiasm and a little surprised by his age, but that didn't slow him down." Tingle said the first workshop that Alphin attended was How to Start A Business. Alphin said he remembered the workshop covered how to get started in business, designing business cards, marketing and other aspects of opening a new business."I knew he was for real when he called the Small Business Center," Tingle said. "He wanted answers to questions and he was determined."

Going from renting a building to building a facility, Alphin continued to teach classes. He attended LCC and studied psychology and East Carolina University where he studied business. His martial arts school is open Monday through Friday. He also teaches private lessons.

Alphin said his age when he started the process caused him to face some challenges. "I remember the bank not wanting to cash my check because of my age," he laughed. But by the age of 15, the school was built and two years later he opened a restaurant on site. The restaurant recently became a coffee shop.

His business has created eight new jobs including himself, four full time and four part time positions.
Tingle said she is proud of Alphin because he has met the challenges that his age presented and has done well. "Through the Small Business Center, I met other people and had a chance to network and interact with them," Alphin said. "I would tell others who want to open their own business that it takes a lot of motivation and a lot of dedication. And it was a great help to get the information that the LCC Small Business Center provided."

Tommy Alphin and LCC Economic Director Alice Tingle talked about starting a business and the help Alphin received through the LCC Small Business Center.