Gary's Heating, Cooling & Electrical
Gary & Deanna Mizell, Owners
Dumas, Arkansas

After hearing about a co-worker's experience attending an SBDC How to Write a Business Plan seminar, Deanna Mizell thought the services offered by the SBDC at the University of Arkansas - Monticello, College of Technology - McGehee might benefit her and her husband Gary. The Mizells had a home-based HVAC business and were looking to purchase and renovate a building in which to move the business and to hire additional employees.

The couple contacted Kathryn Peacock, Center Director at the UAM SBDC. Peacock worked with the clients to formulate a plan with financial projections. Financing for the expansion came from Merchants and Farmers Bank, and the couple received EDP+ Grant funds from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas.

In the summer of 2004, Gary's Heating, Cooling and Electrical moved into its new building in Dumas. The business sells and installs equipment, offers repair services and contracts on new construction work. Deanna continues to attend SBDC workshops, such as Sales and Use Tax, QuickBooks and IRS Small Business Tax Workshops to become more knowledgeable about running their successful business.

The Arkansas Small Business Development Center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration through a partnership with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock College of Business and other institutions of higher education. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. It is the goal of UALR to eliminate discriminatory harassment and to promote equal opportunity regardless of race, gender, color, national origin, sexual orientation, age, religion, veteran’s status, or disability.