SCORE Mentor Provides Courage and Confidence to First-time Business Owners
Peter Varkonyi and Lauren Stevens built a bond over local produce, and developed a business plan to bring fresh, local ingredients to their community. With help from SCORE mentor Juan Florin, Peter and Lauren launched Brownsville’s Butcher and Pantry in November 2018, a market and café for their community offering fresh produce and in-house butchered meat.
Peter and Lauren had experience, Peter an executive chef and Lauren a farm manager, but as first-time entrepreneurs they lacked confidence they were taking the right steps that would lead to success. They reached out to the U.S. Small Business Administration Resource Partner SCORE for advising and were connected to Juan Florin, a locally based mentor with a successful track record in the hospitality industry.
“He really spoke with that confidence in saying you have a good idea, it has some flaws, but how can you overcome them?” said Peter in reflection. “Juan provided us an in-depth perspective and the guidance that we needed at that stage we were at. And he asked valuable questions that we weren’t willing to ask ourselves.”
Peter and Lauren credit their SCORE mentor with helping them turn their vision into reality. Juan worked with them to fine tune their business plan: analyzing their financial model, assessing the viability of the market, and giving them the courage to move forward. He also introduced them to the Friends of the Brownsville General Store, an LLC formed of approximately 40 residents of Brownsville, VT, looking to make a social investment in the reopening of their vacant general store. They took over the space and after extended renovations, the Brownsville Butcher & Pantry opened its doors on November 20, 2018.
“Lauren and Peter have proven to be entrepreneurial, ready to take on risk but resourceful in mitigating it” shared SCORE mentor Juan Florin. “They are good listeners and persistent in dealing with the myriads of obstacles and setbacks during this process. Their creativity and their professional and optimistic attitude make it a pleasure to work with them and will ensure their business success.”
Just past their one-year anniversary the COVID pandemic brought a new set of obstacles and unique challenges. They immediately let go of any systems or "normalities" built in the previous year and accepted everyday as a new learning opportunity. Peter and Lauren utilized the SBA Paycheck Protection Program loan to retain their employees and keep providing sustenance for their community. Learning to adapt quickly became the backbone of the small market, and with a strong business plan and confidence from their mentor, they trusted their decision making.
Today, the Butcher and Pantry continues to thrive. With the help of an SBA 504 loan, Peter and Lauren purchased the real estate in 2022 and now operate six days a week with a large staff of 24. They are still in touch with their SCORE mentor Juan. He mostly supports them by being a good customer, but the confidence their relationship provides continues to exist.
“He is familiar with this market, familiar with this area, that speaks volumes when you're feeling intimidated at times,” expressed Lauren, “but you still have this person that you can relate to that knows what you're going through and can help guide you.”
Every January the U.S. Small Business Administration celebrates National Mentoring Month and the contributions mentors make to small businesses. To learn more about SCORE, request a mentor or volunteer to be one, visit SCORE.org.