Shippensburg University students, faculty and local Shippensburg community members joined five panelists in the Tuscarora Room on Nov. 18, to discuss the rewards and challenges of owning a small business.

The five panelists were given a series of questions that revolved around different aspects of owning a small business, which was followed by a Q&A session. Each panelist was chosen because they had used the services offered by the Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

The discussion began with each panelist informing the audience about how their small business idea became a reality for them. Adam Sinz, an SU alumnus, started his business in high school. He is the owner of Amped, an action sport/lifestyle clothing company, which is located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He endorses approximately 75 athletes, including Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown.

The next question asked the panelists to explain how they feel about their education and how it helped them with their business.

“Taking all education seriously will determine how a business will run," said Kenny Hauk, owner of Hauk Designs. Hauk followed his passion for off-roading and created a business that designs parts for Jeep models to enhance their abilities for off-roading. He expressed the importance of taking education seriously because it will determine the future of a business.

Next, the panelists were asked about what skills are needed to have a successful business. Jesse Rotz, co-founder of Roy Pitz Brewing Company, told the audience that passion and a good work ethic are two things he believes are extremely important when running a business. Rotz and his partner, Ryan Richards, founded Roy Pitz Brewing Company in 2008 and they expanded their business into Maryland, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. They have won various awards and they continue to produce quality beer for the Chambersburg area.

One of the last questions asked the panelists to admit some of their biggest challenges and some of the failures they have overcome. Alumna Marie Habib, owner of ChildTime School Age Care, explained that her challenges come from her lack of business education. Habib said she was not experienced in the specifics of running a business because she graduated from SU with a degree in education. She had to learn on the spot about how to create business reports and maintain financial records.

The five panelists are clients of the SBDC, which provides learning experiences and free business consulting to small business owners and those who are interested in starting a business. The SBDC focuses on educating and identifying solutions for business challenges. The SBDC has helped many businesses over the years and research shows that 80 percent of the businesses that have used the SBDC are still in business eight years after the start, according to SBDC.

Many other businesses in the area partner with the SBDC, including Orrstown Bank, Shippensburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the Shippensburg University Career and Community Engagement Center. Representatives from each of these partners were present at the discussion and were there to assist the SBDC. 

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