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Lakes Uniforms - Small Business Success Stories
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Gone are the days when nurses and medical professionals wore only white uniforms. Today, many medical professionals choose comfortable pants and colorful printed tops as their uniforms of choice. Styles and prints are as varied as the colors in a color wheel and many are theme-oriented. From cartoon characters to motorcycles, birds or butterflies, local professionals can now choose uniforms that reflect their personalities and individual style at Lakes Uniforms in west Waynesville.
For the past five years, Laura Inman, owner of Lakes Uniforms, has provided uniforms to many medical offices and facilities in Western North Carolina and the surrounding areas. “I worked in nursing for 18 years. I knew that local health-care professionals were having problems finding a good selection of uniforms. I wanted to take care of that by providing them with a nice store and a good selection of uniforms from which to choose.”
According to Inman, having the vision was the easy part. “I had never owned a retail business; I had no clue where to begin. And I didn’t know where to go to get the help I needed.”
Inman decided to attend a Small Business Fair at Haywood Community College, where she met Sharron Bleyl, Small Business Center director. “Sharron was a lifesaver for me. She was very helpful and guided me through the first steps I needed to take,” Inman said. Bleyl also suggested that Inman attend some of the free seminars sponsored by the Small Business Center. She attended five seminars and said she found the information invaluable in pointing her in the right direction.
The Center provides budding entrepreneurs like Inman with the knowledge and resources needed to make informed decisions concerning their business ventures. A resource library of print, audio, and video materials is also available for loan. The Small Business Center is located at the Regional High Technology Center.
Within a year of opening, Lakes Uniforms expanded. In July, the store celebrated 5 years of business. It can be listed as a “survivor.” In a time when many new businesses experience difficulties within the first few years, owner Inman and her daughter, Dayna Truitt, have found the right focus and mix to make their store a success. “I feel like I am now providing a service and helping area professionals look their best.” According to Inman, 98% of work places let professionals choose a variety of scrub tops.
Inman and Truitt attend the Professional Apparel Association show once a year where they get to see the new lines first-hand. “We hand-pick everything that goes into our store. New merchandise arrives daily,” said Truitt. “Chain stores have no choice in what they offer, but we can pick and choose. The store deals with over 16 vendors so that we can offer the best selection available.” Selections change in the store on a seasonal basis and include such items as scrubs, lab coats, novelty items, medical accessories, shoes, hose, and socks. They carry men’s clothing as well as women’s and some children’s. According to Inman, they have a size to fit most anyone—from xs–5x.
When asked what they liked most about running the store, Inman and Truitt said they enjoyed the buying, but most of all they loved the people they meet. “We believe in customer service and treating people well.”
Because of this commitment, Lakes Uniforms’ reputation has spread. A lot of people just drop by the store to see the new selections and to say hello. The store at 1906 South Main Street, Waynesville, is centrally located within Lakes Uniform’s service area.
Inman and Truitt also travel to local hospitals and area doctors’ offices where they take “on site” special group orders. According to Inman, about 25% of their business can be attributed to these “on-site” sales. They have plans to expand these sales and hope to one day sponsor a uniform fashion show for nursing students at Western Carolina University.
Looking back over the strides she has made in the past five years, Inman said, “Owning your own business is hard work. I didn’t realize it was so difficult. It takes time to grow. Patience, getting the information you need at the start—like I got at the Small Business Center—and staying focused on your goal will help make your business a success.”
