In 2015, Cindy was moved by her faith in God to open a second hand shop. She was not sure how she would operate the shop, with no business or accounting background, but she knew her love for and desire to help people, along with her trust in God, would help her through.
Encouraged by her in-laws who formerly owned The Flea Market Shoppe in Roxboro, Cindy and her husband Tommy opened HIS Second Hand Shop on Depot Street. “I never saw myself as a small business owner. I actually look at this business as a ministry. There are so many people on low income, fixed income and we try our very best to keep our prices as low as we can to meet the needs of people.”
Knowing she needed to learn how to make the business successful, Cindy’s faith led her to Piedmont Community College’s Small Business Center where she met Debra Seamster, Interim Director, and was introduced to the free business seminars.
Eager to get started, Cindy signed up for the “ Entrepreneur Mindset… Your Formula for Success”, presented by Carol Andrews and Debbie Wright. This six-part free seminar series included information about business plans, legal compliance, financial plans, IRS details, branding, marketing, and building relationships.
“The instructors gave a lot of information that would aide us in the beginning steps of opening and maintaining a small business,” commented Cindy. “They have stayed in touch and have been so wonderful, encouraging me throughout my small business journey.”
Cindy continued taking seminars at the Small Business Center because they “have been empowering”. Ed Ormsby, instructor of the “Licensing, Taxes, and Record Keeping” seminar “took the time to listen to our personal situations and answered all of our questions quickly and very efficiently. He went over and beyond to equip us with information that we need to run and maintain a small business.”
When thinking back on starting His Second Hand Shop and the Small Business Center seminars she’s participated in, Cindy said, “I fell in love with the seminars. The presenters and staff make themselves truly available through phone calls, emails, and personal contact. It’s like they not only invest their time with the students, but they invest their heart.”
His Second Hand Shop is located at 218 Depot Street and is open Wednesday – Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. You can also visit them on Facebook by searching for “HIS Second Hand Shop”.
When asked what future small business owners should do, Cindy recommended the free seminars at PCC’s Small Business Center. “I thank God for the Small Business Center and Piedmont Community College for making powerful tools available to the citizens of Person County who are dreaming of having their own small business or currently are running a small business.”
Upcoming free seminars include a marketing seminar by Mike Collins and eight social media seminars taught by Nick Hawks. Hawks was voted an eBay Education Specialist in Excellence Award Winner by eBay for all of the U.S.A. and Canada. He is a Power Seller and a Top Rated Seller on eBay with 19 years’ experience and has taught over 15,000 small business owners at over 40 different North Carolina Community Colleges how to be successful selling online.
Attend one seminar or all eight! Individuals who successfully complete all 8 social media seminars will receive a certificate. All seminars are College sponsored and offered at no cost to participants!
• Marketing Your Business – Tuesday, May 3, 6-8:30 p.m.
• Successful Sales on Amazon – Wednesday, May 4, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
• eBay Part 1 – Starting Your Business on eBay: The Basics of Selling on eBay – Wednesday, May 4, 1-4 p.m.
• Turn Your Passion Into A Business on Etsy!!! – Wednesday, May 11, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
• eBay Part 2: Building Your Business on eBay: Beyond the Basics – Wednesday, May 11, 1-4 p.m.
• LinkedIn: How to Use LinkedIn to Grow Your Small Business – Wednesday, May 18, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
• eBay Part 3: Understanding eBay Stores: Selling from Your e-Bay Website – Wednesday, May 18, 1-4 p.m.
• Pinterest for Your Small Business – Wednesday, May 25, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• eBay Part 4: Selling Items on eBay with Your Mobile Device – Wednesday, May 25, 1-4 p.m.
Learn more about PCC’s Small Business Center or register for one or more of the free seminars by contacting Debra Seamster at (336) 599-0032, ext. 204 or Debra.Seamster@piedmontcc.edu.
Photo: Cindy Sumner at HIS Second Hand Shop on Depot Street.
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