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Champion of Small Business26 Champion of Small Business
From the quality of the slightly used clothing, shoes and accessories it sells to its customers, its neighborhood and the world beyond, Scout Dry Goods & Trade is truly a business that cares.
“We sell really cool clothes in excellent condition,” says owner Kelly Newell. “We have some pretty high standards and every employee is a trained buyer. The whole idea is to make it easier for the customer. It takes a lot of time, but we know it’s worth it.” The roots of Scout Dry Goods, named for the feisty little girl in To Kill a Mockingbird and the act of scouting for treasures, are more green than brown. Newell’s mother was one of 14 children. Throughout her life, she sought clever ways to reuse things— and if they couldn’t be reused, they were recycled. Champion of Small Business
It resulted in a loan being approved. Scout opened its doors in 2008.
Today, Scout employs six people and has an ongoing internship program. It is a lively fixture in Dundee, drawing customers of all ages.
“There’s something special about our neighborhood,” Newell says, “and I like to think Scout has a little something to do with it.”
Steering her mother’s footsteps along a new path, Newell wants Scout to be as environmentally-friendly as possible. It is a B.Y.O.B. (Bring Your Own Bag) store where tags and signs are printed on recycled posters. The chandeliers and artwork, including an eye-catching lighted cityscape behind the counter, are handmade from recy
As children, the budget for school clothes for Newell and her sisters was $100 each. After discovering she didn’t have a knack for making her own clothes, Newell began visiting thrift stores. In time, she developed an idea for a store uniquely her own.
In 2006, she attended a Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC) workshop where she learned how to write a business plan, create financial projections and find answers to tough business questions.
The following year, Newell worked with NBDC consultants adjusting her financial projections to fit a modified vision of Scout Dry Goods & Trade. clables. In 2009, Scout was nominated for the “Omaha Friend of the Environment Award.”
Newell says a second store is in the works. As she develops those plans and expands the loyal customer base at the current Scout, she continues to rely upon the experts at NBDC for advice and assistance.
“I took my first business plan writing class from Cliff Mosteller (NBDC Omaha center director) and he’s been one of our most vocal cheerleaders ever since,” she says. “We’re still coming to him for help with financial projections.”
It’s the kind of relationship that benefits a true champion of small business—and the entire community.
