Small Business Center Success Story

Donna Hardy has found her niche along the riverfront in downtown Kinston. Among the brightly colored polka dotted bows and colorful wrapping papers, she and Cathy Bass have carved out a place of casual elegance in Herritage Landing at The Briary.

The business venture came through hard work and a little help from the Lenoir Community College Small Business Center located downtown at the Kinston Enterprise Center.

Hardy who is no stranger to small businesses saw the potential of The Briary when it was owned by Fran Dubose. Years later, she along with Bass had the opportunity to buy it. Dubose still works in the business.
“I knew the Small Business Center was there,” Hardy said. “I had seen the workshops offered, but one caught my interest one day and I went. Since that time, I have gone to several and they have taught me how to run my business.”

She said from marketing to financing, the SBC provided valuable information to make The Briary successful. So successful that Hardy is planning to expand by opening the Briary Bistro and Coffee Shop across the street. With a frog as a mascot, the bistro will offer salads, sandwiches, deli choices, soups and quiches not to mention homemade desserts, smoothies and specialty coffees.

“We hope to open in August,” she said. “Like The Briary, we want to make a lasting impression. We will be open for breakfast as well as lunch.”

Like the bistro, Hardy describes The Briary gift shop as one that does not follow trends, but leads them. “Our style is from whimsical to traditional gifts, home accessories, custom floral arrangements - it’s kind of a one-stop shop that is known for our ribbons and wrappings. Our customers like our attention to detail.”
Hardy said the encouragement she has gotten from the LCC Small Business Center workshops and from LCC SBC Director Alice Tingle helped her decide to expand to the Bistro across the street.

“Alice is a great resource,” she said. “She does a great job in following up and lending assistance. The workshops are amazing. I encourage small business owners to take the time to go. I learn something strategic each time and you have the opportunity to network with others and learn from them about how to handle business.”

Hardy said she wouldn’t have had the confidence to expand if she hadn’t taken advantage of the resources at the LCC Small Business Center. “The workshops give you the confidence to use the concepts learned.”
Tingle said that she was extremely proud of Hardy. “As she develops her business along the riverfront, she is helping the economic development of the area by employing others. The two businesses will add to the quaintness of the area and will continue to bring people to the downtown area.”

For more information on LCC Small Business Center resources, contact Tingle at 522-8008.

Donna Hardy, left, shows some of the unique gifts and wrappings of The Briary to LCC Economic Development Director Alice Tingle.