by Nancy Parrish

Ever wonder what the inside of the Franklin Business Incubator looks like? Have a dream of starting your own business? Come join us on Friday, May 22, for an Open House and you can view 108 years of history, from original pine beams to handsome exposed brick and ductwork. The highlight of the lobby is the buggy in the rafters… and it just keeps getting better from there!

For the dreamers out there, we are the perfect home for you! We also want to invite anyone who may be thinking about starting or growing a business to come learn more about our services and how we are here to help.

The Incubator program is designed to help start-ups and emerging businesses have a greater chance of success: 88 percent greater, to be exact. We do that by providing services and amenities for free, or at a very low cost to our clients. We also offer networking opportunities and business support from the Franklin Southampton Economic Development Inc. staff and the Franklin Business Incubator Advisory Board.

Another plus is the flexibility in leases. Once accepted into the Franklin Business Incubator program, clients can grow as needed. Extra office space is available, and clients are not locked into a lease contract after one year of occupancy.

Affordable rent with utilities included, along with Ethernet Internet and low copier fees, are just a few examples of how the Franklin Business Incubator helps keep your overhead costs down. There is shared office equipment, such as heavy-duty staplers, hole punchers, typewriters, binding machines, paper cutters and shredders for all clients to use. Clients have access to the four conference rooms that range in size from seating 10 to 64 people and have equipment, such as projectors and screens, available for use in giving presentations. We offer services such as notary public and secretarial support. There are two mentors available to all clients free of charge; one is on-site and the other is available through the Hampton Roads Small Business Development Center. Throughout the year we offer seminars, workshops and socials for clients that are free of charge 99 percent of the time. If we do not have it or do it, we are always open to new ideas so we can grow to better serve our current and future clients.

We are opening our doors to you. We hope you will come enjoy a tour of our facility on May 22 any time between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to learn more about how the Franklin Business Incubator can help you grow your business.

NANCY PARRISH is the manager of the Franklin Business Incubator. She can be reached at nparrish@franklinsouthamptonva.com or at 562-1958 ext. 303.