RSVP Catering
Yolanda Hughes, Owner
Little Rock, Arkansas

After 26 years of ownership of Arkansas' oldest and largest exclusively off-premises catering company, Mary Wildgen decided it was time to hand over the golden serving spoons to her long-time manager, Yolanda Hughes. RSVP is a full-service caterer that handles all kinds of parties ranging from ground breakings to formal luncheons to wedding receptions and evrything in between. The company was voted "best caterer" four years in a row (1999-2002) by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Hughes was referred to Phil Harris, business consultant in the ASBDC Lead Center at UALR, in July 2000 by Bank of America. Hughes has over 16 years experience in the catering industry and has been with RSVP since 1989. She was serving as director of marketing for the company. Harris began working with Hughes to perform a business valuation of the company, develop a business plan, and develop cash flow projections for submission to a local lender. During the course of the consulting engagement, there were many obstacles and setbacks. Nevertheless, Hughes and the seller continued to persevere and Harris continued to provide guidance and advice.

After several attempts to find a lender that would approve the request, CIT Small Business lending approved the SBA guranteed loan in October 2003. Hughes has taken over the helm of RSVP and business continues to prosper. The business currently employs 15 full-time and 20 part-time employees.

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.