Tom and Shannon Westgate know a bit about business.
They’ve owned and grown individual companies and jointly operate Arcadia’s Pleasant Valley Resort, purchased in 2012. Now, with the help of Venture North Funding & Development, they’re starting down a new path.
Fueling Growth in Arcadia
The husband-and-wife duo have launched Symmetry Concepts LLC, a company to create customized products like signage, component parts, and other items using computer-guided machine tools – a manufacturing method known as computer numerical control, or CNC. Seizing on a niche to handle small-scale product orders, the Westgates plan to provide CNC-cut and laser-engraved materials to a variety of customers for commercial, residential, craft, and other uses.
“Most companies that have a CNC component to what they do, are scaled to do large production runs. So, getting something that is a small production run made on a CNC machine, is tough,” Shannon Westgate said. And as the two started exploring the idea, she said, they saw opportunities.
Symmetry Concepts is one of the latest Manistee County businesses assisted by Venture North, a federally certified Community Development Financial Institution, or CDFI, that focuses on Manistee and nine other northwest Michigan counties, offering loans and other resources to support small business growth and jobs.
Venture North – Unique Business Services
“They approach funding and support of businesses in a way that is different from traditional commercial finance,” Shannon Westgate said. “I think they are unique in the depth of support that they have for small businesses. Too often in rural communities, we see very passionate people trying to put together a small business…(and) some of these people don’t have the support needed to create success.”
She said Venture North provides “a full scope of support for a potential small business operation to really understand, are you ready for this. And if not, what is needed.”
Steve Brower, a Venture North business development manager and coach who connects with businesses throughout the county, helped the Westgates secure a Venture North loan – made possible via the Michigan CDFI Funding Program – for the multiple pieces of equipment they needed to launch their company, including a CNC production router system manufactured by ShopSabre CNC in Lakeville, Minn.
Brower said the CDFI can offer competitive loan interest rates and flexible terms, as “an alternative to the conventional financing offered by banks.” And he too said consulting services – in a host of areas including accounting and bookkeeping, business plans and cash flow projections, marketing, social media, inventory management, and legal needs – are an important part of what Venture North can provide.
A Business Plan Positioned for Growth
Symmetry is located on the Westgate’s Arcadia property, but a separate location in the future could be possible with business growth. The Westgates initially plan to do CNC material carving and laser engraving of wood, plastics, composite materials, and non-ferrous metals for products including branded and interpretive signage, customized component parts, and crafts. Looking ahead, they could explore product expansions like simply designed and adaptable furniture using locally harvested wood, and kiln-dried onsite.
“The machine really has a diverse range of things it can do,” Shannon Westgate said. “We’re both really excited about the prospect of what this could look like. And the opportunity to work with other creative people as well.”