The Central Oregon Chapter of SCORE provides small business entrepreneurs with free and confidential business counseling throughout Central and Southern Oregon. Three local businesses have recently benefited from their relationship with a Certified SCORE Mentor.
Nonprofit — Jasper Fox Project
Rachel and Charles Feriend launched the Jasper Fox Project to serve families who experience the tragic loss of a child through miscarriage, stillbirth, or pregnancy loss. The handmade stuffed animal foxes are weighted to match the exact birth weight of the child who has passed away. Each fox is unique, personal and purposeful. The idea for The Jasper Fox Project came from Rachel’s sister-in-law shortly after Rachel’s son, Jasper, was stillborn at six months. Her sister-in-law saw the depth of Rachel’s grief and sewed the first Jasper Fox. It weighed 1lb 13oz, which was Jasper’s birth weight. The fox helped Rachel cry and comforted her at night when she couldn’t sleep. It was then that Rachel knew other women needed their own fox too. Learn more at jasperfoxproject.org, @jasperfoxproject.
Acquired Business — Waddell Electric Motor Service
Stacie and Gary Perkins bought Waddell Electric Motor Service in 2020 from the original owner. Since then, they opened an additional location in Klamath Falls. They specialize in electric motor and pump repairs including everything from table saws to 400HP turbine pumps. Acquiring an existing business and opening an additional location brought up questions from accounting to hiring and sales. Their SCORE Mentor was able to provide guidance through these challenges and help them on their path to success. waddellems.com.
Online Clothing Manufacturer — Sendr Brand
Sendr Brand was started in 2019 by Andrew Balzer at the age of 16. It all began with a Singer sewing machine, fleece fabric and an abundance of creativity and determination. Andrew’s first product was a polar fleece beanie. After the beanie he continued to perfect his sewing skills and started to dream of bigger things. The concept for the color-customizable half-and-half hoodie was born. The hoodie quickly became a popular product among Andrew’s peers and helped shape some of the color combinations. With the help of social media, Sendr Brand gained a following across the globe and the popularity of the half-and-half hoodie exploded. Sendr found a niche by offering a customizable product that allowed their followers to interact with the brand by picking color combos offered at the online store. The family home quickly became the manufacturing hub where many family members and friends would help daily. The balance of school and running a company was no small task, but with a business mindset and excellent time management skills Andrew was up for the challenge. Today Sendr Brand is selling worldwide through its online store and continuing to grow into a successful business based in Bend, Oregon. Sendrbrand.com, @sendr_brand.
Central Oregon businesses who need this type of guidance can contact SCORE at centraloregon.score,org. Mentoring and online resources are free of charge. There is also an option to volunteer as a business mentor.
