Dyersburg, Tennessee – Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) and the Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) presented Sew Squared with the Rising Star Award. Sew Squared is owned and operated by Sheri Hudson of Atoka, TN. Dyersburg State recently opened a branch campus in Paris.
Annually, each TSBDC office celebrates one client they deem a “Rising Star.” This is an opportunity to celebrate a business with a high potential for success and impact in its local community or field. What are SBA awards? Most offices celebrate this selected business on SBDC Day (the 3rd Wednesday of March) via an award ceremony and a TSBDC Rising Star plaque presentation. The award presentations are typically featured on social media, and offices are encouraged to share the information with local news/media outlets, host institutions, and stakeholders. It is also an opportunity to highlight the work the TSBDC offices do daily to support their local small business communities.
Dr. Scott Cook, President of Dyersburg State; Dr. Amanda Walker, Vice President of External Affairs; Van Wylie, Director of Tennessee Small Business Development Center; Barry Akin, Mayor of Atoka; and Rosemary Bridges, South Tipton County Chamber of Commerce Director, along with local community members presented Sheri Hudson of Sew Squared in Atoka, TN with the award on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.
Sheri Hudson contacted the Small Business Development Center in August 2021 requesting assistance with business planning and the development of the financial projections for the opening of Sew Squared. Funding was obtained, space was located and renovated, and Sew Squared opened on December 1, 2021.
Sew Squared is an active South Tipton Chamber of Commerce member and a community service advocate. Hudson and the business adopted and supported the Munford Middle School Softball team and actively supported Tipton County Schools and DSCC.
Over the past 15 years, Hudson designed clothes and Halloween costumes and altered uniforms for the Munford High School Marching Band. Notable projects include making over 100 pet beds for local animal rescues, the Tipton County Paws and Claws, Dogs 2nd Chance, C.A.R.E., and Friends of the Tipton County Animal Shelter.
After being successful in her new business, Hudson’s goal is to gain new clients, increase revenue, improve her online presence, and add new employees. “I am thankful for the expert business counseling I received from the SBDC because it seems to be working,” stated Hudson.
SBDC programs deliver professional, high-quality, individualized business advising and technical assistance to existing small businesses and pre-venture entrepreneurs. SBDCs provide problem-solving assistance to help small businesses access capital, develop and exchange new technologies, and improve business planning, strategy, operations, financial management, personnel administration, marketing, export assistance, sales, and other areas required for small business growth and expansion, management improvement, increased productivity, and innovation.