What started as a part-time venture has grown dramatically into a successful family enterprise. P & G Variety Shop is a clothing store in Davenport that specializes in urban wear, which is described as clothing with a strong African-American identity. The shop is a partnership between Glen Humes and his mother, Pat. The business opened in 2004 in a 2,000 square foot building, located in an inner city shopping area just blocks from Davenport’s largest high school.

Glen’s retail instincts seem to be a family trait; his family has owned several retail stores. Glen began selling items out of his backpack at Central High School long before the store became a reality. He noticed that many school supply items were only being sold before and after school, so he stocked his backpack with pencils, pens and other supplies purchased at Big Lots and sold supplies throughout the school day.

To make his retail dream a reality, Glen worked part-time jobs and also purchased a car online that he sold for more than two and one-half times his investment. Along with contributing 40 percent of the initial capital investment of $10,000, Pat works part-time in the shop and Glen’s brother, Shawn, started working in the business in 2006.

Glen attended the Eastern Iowa SBDC’s training workshop “BootCamp for Entrepreneurs” and then began counseling sessions with regional director Ann Hutchinson to develop his business plan. His goal was to be able to secure a line of credit. Before that, he had purchased all inventory from jobbers on a COD basis, paying for shipments with money orders.

Glen had a difficult time finding a bank to take a chance on an 18 year old entrepreneur and it would take him at least two years to secure a small line of credit. In spite of this, the business has chalked up some impressive increases in sales, starting with sales of $10,000 in 2004, moving to sales of $133,000 in 2006, sales of $276,637 in 2008, and so far in 2010 sales are over $100,000.

Glen’s success has led him to look for a building he can own that will allow for the expansion he needs in order to add a line of urban wear for children. He found a 5,000 square foot building just one block from his present location and made an offer on the building. He then returned to the SBDC for help in finalizing projections so he can take the request to his bank.

Glen credits the Eastern Iowa SBDC with helping him get where he is today. “The SBDC has been very, very helpful. They worked closely with me to determine the kind of help and information I needed. Ann Hutchinson was extremely good to work with, always there when I had a question.”