b"SMALL BUSINESSThe Coopers immediately knew they would have to alterInstead of watching their flowers wither in the fields, the their business model. It was like blood draining down toCoopers sold bouquets at the weekly market and, at the your toes kind of moment, Vicki says. We realized thatsame time, delivered a little happiness. rural America. She is a beacon of success we had to do something different and fast. We watchedfor other aspiring entrepreneurs.on television how growers in Holland were destroyingWe found during COVID that people wanted fresh thousands and thousands of tulips, and we didnt wantflowers to brighten up their homes, Vicki says. IWith confidence in her professional to start shredding our flowers. think they also like the idea of field-grown bouquets,knowledge, McElroy says the learning especially the zinnias and sunflowers. curve was on the business side. I have With the florist and wholesale market closedat leastmany years of experience within the in the short-termthe Coopers once again requestedThe adjustment to retail sales also presented the advice from Foskey and other SBDC consultants.Coopers with some new marketing challenges. Thefield of speech-language pathology but I original business approach was wholesale, John says.didnt have any real business skills. We had to move to social media to build customers and We had regular phone conferences, and they wouldThrough assistance from the SBDC, give suggestions, John says. They were the soundingget name recognition in the community.McElroy gained a better understanding board that every business needs, especially when youWhile the initial shock of COVID restrictions caught theof accounting, human resources, and are starting something new. They helped us stay onCoopers a little off-guard, on the positive side, they track. Rural Success: Teresa McElroy, owner of The Therapy Tree, was selected as the U.S.strategic planning. discovered a new revenue stream.Small Business Administration 2020 Rural Small Business Person for Region IV. Like many other small business owners, the COVIDWhen I started, I didnt have any bigHaving the farmers market sure did pull this little farm restrictions provided the Coopers with an opportunityright up, Vicki says. Now that we are back workingThe Therapy Tree goals in mind, she says. Over the years, to pivot by moving from a business-to-business to aI started thinking about adding a sensory with the florists, we will continue to sell bouquets at the business-to-consumer approach. They also found anfarmers market. Rural Small Business Success gym. We work with a lot of autistic immediate solution a few miles down the road at thechildren, and having a sensory area is Hahira Farmers Market.the first step in teaching the basics like She might not consider herself a pioneer,There were a lot of lean years, saysfollowing directions and being able to sit but Teresa McElroy is blazing the trailsMcElroy, who received a Masters indown and pay attention. for women-owned businesses in SouthSpeech Pathology from Valdosta State New from Enay Coaching Georgia. University. I did a lot of research to findIn December 2020, The Therapy Tree This is the out how to get my credentials so thatopened its sensory gym at the Douglas In 2008, after working several years atI could start accepting Medicaid andclinic. The 4,500-square-foot facility hospitals, nursing homes, home health FIELD GUIDE agencies, and outpatient centers, McElroyMedicare. provides an interactive space for autistic children to receive ABA therapy using gave up the security of a 9-to-5 job toHer determination was recentlyspecialized play equipment to enhance open The Therapy Tree. recognized by the U.S. Small Business journal Administration (SBA) when she receivedfundamental skills.Her entrepreneurial journey started in athe 2020 Rural Small Business Person ofOnce I saw that I could make it work, small trailer with one patient. More than the Year (SBA Region IV). work book 12 years later, The Therapy Tree has fivethen I knew the skys the limit, she says. I hate to be defeated, and I dont like to clinicsDouglas, Fitzgerald, Hazlehurst,Nominated by Walt Moore, area directorbe told no.Baxley, and Vidaliaeach clinic providesof the University of Georgia Small for the young, up-and-coming various services including occupationalBusiness Development Center (SBDC)In various studies, sensory gyms servant -leader in your life. and speech therapy for birth to 21 years ofat Valdosta State University, McElroyhave shown to help children gain Order yours online at enaycoaching.com/the-book age and applied behavior analysis (ABA)was recognized for her success andindependence, improve communication therapy for children diagnosed withcommitment to business expansion in askills, and strengthen self-care habits and autism. rural community. attention spans. be a sponsor McElroy readily admits that starting aShe is extremely passionate aboutThere is no other facility like this in South Proceeds from book sales support our work with youth in Georgia's foster care system business has its challenges, especiallyserving others, Moore says. Teresa didGeorgia, McElroy says. It means autistic You can also sponsor book sets for clubs and foster group homes. the first few years when she got by on anot move away from here to do this, andchildren will have a place to get services hope and a prayer. she continues to build her business inthey desperately need. 16 SG MAGAZINE | FALL 2020 BUSINESS + CULTURE 17"