Community Renewal Good Stories - Norfolk-Portsmouth

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EZ Helps Welding Company Connect With New Opportunities

Norfolk-Portsmouth, Virginia, EZ

Two years after Tiggs Welding, LLC, was established, profits soared 150 percent, a result of the company's relationship with the Small Business Incubator and Resource Center (SBIRC) in the Norfolk-Portsmouth, Virginia, EZ. This family-owned metal smith firm received invaluable information from and made valuable business contacts through the SBIRC.

Tiggs Welding is the brainchild of Herbert and S. Patrice Tiggs. Trained in California as a special niche welder, Herbert Tiggs was inspired by another entrepreneur and motivated by a family crisis to begin this joint venture. Patrice Tiggs, a former client of Empowerment 2010, which administers the EZ and the SBIRC, had heard of self-improvement programs for EZ residents, but was unclear how they could be of help in establishing a business.

Initially, the husband-wife team sought professional assistance for their business from the veteran's center. When that program concluded, the instructor joined SBIRC and the Tiggses soon were reaping the benefits of all SBIRC had to offer.

"I guess the three things we've gained have been knowledge, insight into business relationships, and accountability," said Patrice Tiggs. "While the information is available at the center, we've learned it's up to you to learn as much as you want to learn. No one is going to do it for you."

After establishing itself in April 2001, Tiggs Welding requested assistance with marketing to increase its share of construction and government contracts. The SBIRC helped the firm implement several initiatives to help enhance market share. As a result, the firm has expanded from mobile welding to metal equipment repair and fabrication and has been certified by the Virginia Department of Transportation as a "Stay-in-Place Decking" builder for bridge construction. Additionally, its increased market presence led RockfordTM Steel Building Systems, a South Carolina manufacturer of ready-to-assemble steel buildings, to designate Tiggs Welding as the Hampton Roads region's authorized dealer for its products.

These milestones allowed the company to increase its 2002 revenues by 150 percent over the previous year. The relationships initiated through the Empowerment 2010 SBIRC helped Tiggs Welding reach new heights.

For more information on the programs of the Norfolk-Portsmouth EZ, contact Assistant City Manager Marcus D. Jones at (757) 664-4350.