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FURNITURE ACADEMY STARTING UP AGAIN, pg. 4
FEATURE:
MAKING MOVIES COMFY VIP Cinema Seating filling theaters globally
page 3 FEATURE: SLEEPING SOUND Bedding retailers, manufacturers growing
page 6 COLUMN: DAVID HENSON ‘Help me ... I’m in love with an entrepreneur’
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THE NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI
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5: STARTING A BUSINESS – FIRST STEPS, Oxford, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This seminar outlines the basic steps to start a business. Topics include: regulations such as licenses and permits; legal forms of business ownership; basic marketing concepts to help analyze the revenue potential; lending terminology; outline for a business plan and other resources to assist in starting a business. To register, call 1-800-725-7232. 6: HOW TO DEVELOP A BUSINESS PLAN, Tupelo, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Location: Renas-
ant Center for IDEAs Topic: Business Basics. This seminar is designed to assist in preparing a business plan. The parts of the business plan are explained, i.e., industry research, description of company products and services, identifying target customer groups and a marketing plan. Financial components discussed are startup costs and preparation of a projected cash flow statement. To register call 1-800-725-7232. 6: STARTING A BUSINESS – FIRST STEPS, Starkville, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Location: MSU MSBDC MSU Business Incubator – Thad Cochran Research, Technology & Economic Development Park Topic: Startup Assistance. To register call 1-800-725-7232. 8: BUSINESS AFTER HOURS, Tupelo, 5 p.m. Location: NMMC Bariatric Center, 408 Council Circle. Free for CDF members. Registration required.
9: STATE OF THE COUNTY, Tupelo, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Location: Tupelo Furniture Market Building V. Cost: $10 for CDF members. 9: MEC TOUR, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Summit Center. The Mississippi Economic Council’s Tour will discuss economic development workforce success, community programs that make a difference, healthy living and more. Free. Register online at www. mec.ms or test “MECTour” to 955-77. 12: HOW TO DEVELOP A BUSINESS PLAN, Oxford, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Location: UMSBDC, 122 Jeannette Phillips Drive. Topic: Business Basics. To register, call 1-800-725-7232. 13: HOW TO DEVELOP A BUSINESS PLAN, Starkville 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Location: MSU MSBDC MSU Business Incubator. Topic: Business Basics. To register, call 1-800-725-7232. 16: AGRIBUSINESS FINANCIAL
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WORKSHOP, Columbus. The half-day workshop “Funding, Financing and Grant Writing for Local Foods Development” is for those trying to start a food business or interested in applying for grants for food-related initiatives like farmers markets. The workshop is offered at the Lowndes County Extension Office. Registration is $25 and must be received by Feb. 9. Topics for the workshop include how to write a grant proposal; tips on working with lenders; and learning what grants, financing and fundraising opportunities are available. Visit http://bit.ly/2DJj8PC or call (662) 325-3141 for details. 19: CASH FLOW PROJECTIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS PLAN, Oxford 6 p.m to 8 p.m. Location: UMSBDC Topic: Cash Flow Management. o register, call 1-800-725-7232.
20: CASH FLOW PROJECTIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS PLAN, Starkville, 1 p.m to 3 p.m. Location: Topic: Cash Flow Management. To register, call 1-800-725-7232. 20: STARTING A BUSINESS – FIRST STEPS, Tupelo, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Location: Renasant Center for IDEAs Topic: Startup Assistance. This seminar outlines the basic steps to start a business. Topics include: regulations such as licenses and permits; legal forms of business ownership; basic marketing concepts to help analyze the revenue potential; lending terminology; outline for a business plan and other resources to assist in starting a business. To register, call 1-800-725-7232. 20: BUSINESS BOXED LUNCH & LEARN, Tupelo, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Location: CDF Southland Construction Boardroom. Cost: $10 for CDF members
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VIP Seating filling theaters globally BY DENNIS SEID BUSINESS JOURNAL
NEW ALBANY – Ten years ago, Steve Simons and a handful of others started VIP Cinema Seating with hopes that their idea of putting reclining seats in movie theaters would take off. “Nobody in 2008 was putting reclining seats in a movie theater,” said the VIP chief executive officer. “So we introduced this thing, one thing led to another and it took off from there. The obvious challenge is keeping up with demand and expansion. It’s more operational than sales.” A decade in, VIP has installed more than 600,000 of its seats in more than 500 theaters around the world. In the U.S., the company’s market share has grown to nearly 75 percent. THOMAS WELLS | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM Its international share is growVIP CEO Steve Simons started the company 10 years ago in New Albany. ing quickly. In Tupelo, Cinemark replaced its seating in its eight theaters late last year. Malco seats provide is higher conbuilds seats for its theater cusVIP’s global footprint reaches is currently replacing its seats cessions sales. Ticket sales are tomers. Its showroom has more Europe and is growing. Four with VIP chairs as well. a revenue share, which is one than a dozen designs. years ago, VIP completed Replacing the seats in a thing, but concession sales is Unlike residential furniture, deals for projects in the United theater come with a caveat: where the money is ... what the theater chairs are made Kingdom, Australia and South overall seating drops by 50 you see in these theaters that from high-resilience foam, Korea. The company has added percent or more. For example, changed their seats is that their kiln-dried hardwood and steel customers in Italy, Germany, at Cinemark, the number of revenue went up, but their frames so they can withstand Sweden and Norway. A sales ofseats dropped from 1,384 to margins increased dramatical- heavy and constant use. fice is open in the UK, and later 613. Once the work is finished ly. this year, a 150,000-square-foot at Malco, the number of seats ADDING ON plant will open in Poland with NOT YOUR will drop from 1,745 seats in 10 With its growth over the 150 employees to help serve TYPICAL CHAIR auditoriums to 1,012 seats. years, VIP has added manufac- VIP’s European customers. But Simons said fewer seats The luxury reclining chairs turing capacity and workers. VIP Cinema Seating brought actually lead to higher revenue, are six inches or more wider The company added another in a private equity group last as ticket sales and concessions than standard movie theater 160,000 square feet of manuMarch to invest in the company sales increase. chairs and have power mecha- facturing space in 2016, bringand to provide capital to fuel its “The seats the theaters lost nisms for moviegoers to allow ing its total footprint to 600,000 expansion plans. were the ones that weren’t the seats to recline and to raise square feet. The company now “The investor group will getting filled anyway,” Simons their feet. Cupholders are built- employs more than 550 people help fund a lot of initiatives,” said. “One of the benefits from in. in New Albany, where they pro- Simons said. “You ready a certhis business model that these VIP custom designs and duce up to 1,200 chairs a day. tain level and your investments
have to be more than operations and more than sales. It almost becomes a culture investment. Those initiatives hopefully will bear fruit.” One of those fruits has led to the hiring of a marketing director for the first time, something Simons said the company couldn’t afford two or three years ago. “There are a lot of things we’re doing from an operational standpoint and a marketing standpoint” he added. “We’re finally able to use some highprice engineering firms to create that wow factor which drives our business. We have some key employees – specialists in operations and specialists in finance that change the whole culture of the business.”
WHAT’S NEXT
China is the market that Hollywood has its eyes set on, with its more than 1.3 billion people. That also presents an opportunity for VIP. But not right now. “That’s a market that is an open opportunity,” Simons said. “But we have the largest theater company in Europe as a customer, and we’ll be busy with them for some time. We don’t want to go crazy.” And more competitors are appearing as well. “There are some residential companies getting into it, some mattress companies ... despite all that, we’ve maintained our market share,” Simon said. Meanwhile, a new line of business has opened up for VIP: maintenance work. While built for commercial purposes, like any other seating TURN TO VIP, 9
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Furniture Academy gears up for second class
Northeast Mississippi Community College or Itawamba Community After a brief pause, the College, was developed second class of Furnito help foster the growth ture Academy training is and meet the labor needs poised to begin soon. of the state’s furniture in“There was a little lull, dustry, which is centered but we’re back going in Northeast Mississippi. gangbusters now,” said The inaugural FurniBill Renick of Three Rivers ture Academy last spring Planning and Develophad 121 graduates, 46 of ment, one of the lead whom were hired by area partners of the Academy. furniture manufacturers. Other partners include The Academy is an the Franklin Furniture In- introduction to furnistitute at Mississippi State ture manufacturing, and University and the Comalso includes training in munity Development teamwork and problem Foundation in Tupelo. solving, developing work The 28-hour program, ethic and gaining finanwhich can be completed cial awareness and life in a week or two at either skills. BY DENNIS SEID BUSINESS JOURNAL
Graduates are given priority interviews with job openings at the participating furniture companies, and are give higher starting pay if they’re hired. The list of participating manufacturers initially included H.M. Richards of Baldwyn, Homestretch in Nettleton, Kevin Charles Furniture, Max Home of Fulton and Iuka and Southern Motion of Pontotoc and Baldwyn. That number has grown significantly. “We’re up to 25 companies now,” Renick said. “And we’d like to have as many as we can participate.”
The Furniture Academy was funded through a $250,000 grant from the state, and it drew praise from Gov. Phil Bryant when the program was announced. “The Furniture Academy will ensure Northeast Mississippi has a skilled, robust workforce to see the demand of the region’s manufacturers,” he said. “I am grateful to the local industries, educational systems and community organizations whose partnership made it a reality.” With a $12 billion economic impact on the state, the furniture industry includes hundreds of manufacturers and suppliers that employ some 60,000 people directly and indirectly. The bulk of the industry is in Northeast Mississippi. With many companies expanding and needing workers, the Academy gives participants a step up on other applicants, and there is no cost for those enrolled. Renick said there’s room for plenty more participants, as the initial funding was for 300 people. “We’ve got 23 signed up as of last Thursday, and we’re ready to fire back up,” he said. Academy participants not only can come from the general workforce, but also from employees already working at a furniture company. “Some companies are more aggressive than others in recruiting people to the program,” he said.
‘The Furniture Academy will ensure Northeast Mississippi has a skilled, robust workforce to see the demand of the region’s manufacturers. I am grateful to the local industries, educational systems and community organizations whose partnership made it a reality.’ Rusty Berrhill
president of Kevin Charles Furniture “But it also goes both ways. The company has to promise to give graduates a priority in hiring and start them at a higher wage, and participants also need to invest time to complete the program.” The inaugural Furniture Academy started last February, but there were no classes in the summer, when the furniture industry typically slows down. Rusty Berryhill, president of Kevin Charles Furniture in New Albany, hired the first Academy graduate last September. In a previous interview, he said that as the furniture industry evolves, more qualified applicants will be needed to fill more positions. “This was just phase one,” he said of the first class. “And as it’s becoming successful, we’ll have more phrases as we go along. Right now were’ just doing the basics. As we get more time under our belts, we’ll get more advanced.” Those phases in the future include instruction on actual manufacturing,
but it’ll be up to each company to determine how to do that since processes differ. Ultimately, it’s a time and money saver for everyone involved. “It’s an expense anytime you go into the hiring process,” Berryhill said. The interview process also is an expense. And anytime you can reduce expenses, that’s good ... depending on the job, there’s a period time that you’re still investing in them before they start helping you make money. “Now with the academy, we’re getting part of that out of the way. They’re willing to commit to a job, so that’s a step ahead of many others.” Renick said those interested in the program can go to any WIN Job Center to apply. They also can visit the Three Rivers website, trpdd.com and scroll to the Furniture Academy at the bottom of the page. Also, StepToTheFrontOfTheLine.com will take applicants to the page. dennis.seid@journalinc.com Twitter: @dennisseid
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BUSINESS JOURNAL
American Furniture’s recovery continues
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BY DENNIS SEID BUSINESS JOURNAL
ECRU – All the production lines at American Furniture Manufacturing that were running smoothly a month ago before a fire temporarily put them offline are now rolling again. But they’re not all in one place. Seven stationary furniture production lines are set up at a rented factory in Houlka. Six other stationary lines are set up at American’s motion plant on its main Ecru facility. With 13 stationary lines and five motion lines running along a second shift for some of those lines, American Furniture is back to where it was, production-wise, a month after the fire destroyed 50,000 pieces of finished goods and 400,000 square feet warehouse space. With all the lines now running, nearly 600 employees are back at work. Before the fire, about 700 worked at American. While production is in two facilities, warehouses for the finished products are scattered around the county in several rented and leased spaces. While the warehouse space that was destroyed will be rebuilt, it will take time. Meanwhile, American continues to roll out furniture, and figuring out where to put the sofas, love seats, ottomans, recliners and other products. “We’ve got it all back, but it’s just in different places,” said American’s merchandise manager, Emily Bass. “We’re having to work through all the logistics, but it’s all right for now. We found buildings quickly, which was helpful.”
THOMAS WELLS | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM
Heavy black smoke filled the air as fire crews fought a fire at American Furniture Manufacturing on Jan. 5. American Furniture continues to move closer to full operation after the fire destroyed the stationary furniture warehouses.
ADAM ROBISON | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM
Tyrone Moore ties a bag of sofa legs to a stationary sofa as he preps the sofa to be bagged before being moved to a holding area for shipping.
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Bedding retailers, manufacturers expect more growth BY CRISTINA CARREON BUSINESS JOURNAL
TUPELO – Furniture Today predicted the bedding industry is expected to grow over the next three years, and Northeast Mississippi mattress retailers and manufacturers are weighing in on business so far this year. The consensus: they’re cautiously optimistic. The housing market and the economy are stable, unemployment is at a record low, consumer confidence is high, so one would think the furniture industry would be booming. But this may not yet be the case. The International Sleep Products Association released a report in October forecasting a three-year growth cycle, with 4.5 percent growth in mattress sales and a 3 percent unit growth from 2017 to 2019. But last year’s sale numbers didn’t even come close, at a 1percent mattress percent growth and 0.5 percent increase in mattress unit shipments. Room to Room store manager Dan Patterson said low interest rates for home buyers usually correlates with higher furnishing sales. “From what I’ve see and heard, interest rates are about to go up,” he said. “I think interest rates control furniture growth, and when interest rates are low and people are doing a lot of building and remodeling, you’re going too see more furniture sales. But when interest rates rise, you’re going to find people who have gotten into homes or are about to buy homes shrinking their budget...when interest rates go up, housing starts to go down.” Tupelo Furniture Market Chairman and Chief Executive Officer V.M. Cleveland said when housing sales go up, the furniture industry sees a spike in sales. “When an economy gets sick, the furniture industry gets sick first and gets well last,” Cleveland said. Bedding experts say the industry is undergoing massive changes due to several factors. Online boxed beds tend to undercut mattress stores and retailers who depend on in-store traffic, and as more consumers turn to online retailers such as Amazon and Wayfair – which sell “boxed beds” that come vacuum-packed and extend into a foam
ADAM ROBISON | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM
Dan Patterson, manager at Room to Room Furniture, straightens the mattress showroom area of the store. International Sleep Products Association experts predicted the bedding industry is expected to grow into 2018 by 4.5 percent due to a steady economy, greater consumer confidence and a growing housing market. bed when unpackaged – retail traffic declines. As a result, more manufacturers and wholesalers are turning to retail to increase profit margins, with lofty goals to go online in the distant future.
BIGGER FISH
Signature Bedding wholesalers, which has been in Tupelo since 2009, started out with a focus on retail but moved into manufacturing to concentrate on bigger fish, such as universities like Ole Miss. Signature relies on institutional customers, outfitting dormitories at Ole Miss and other universities across the state, but will focus on brick-andmortar retail sales this year due to steady traffic on Eason Boulevard, where the company is located. The company also outsources shipping, although many buyers will provide transport for purchases made.
“We’re diversifying more into the retail side of it ... there’s so much more money to be made, there’s so many bedding manufacturers in the lower end of where we are, that it’s just not much of a profit margin,” Signature owner Corey Matthews said. This year, Matthews said his company will make tear-through sales on institutional bedding, or mattresses sold to universities for furnishing dormitories, over household bedding. “We’ve got some from Ole Miss, but we go all over Mississippi for it,” Matthews said. Matthews said there was a boom in business before Christmas, and sales have started to pick up again because of tax season. “People are coming into town, so customers are getting spare beds for their houses. We always pick up a little burst there, and then coming into the first of the year, income tax time – from now until the end of March –
people get their taxes back, and they like to upgrade their furniture, so we do really well then,” Matthews said. Matthew said online mattress retail appears to be where the bedding market is going into the future. “We don’t do any of that, but I know that it’s a big factor in the market, I think it hurts wholesalers like us,” Matthews said. He hopes to eventually bring in machinery to package these “boxed beds” for his own customers. “We’re trying to get the capabilities to get a machine, so that we can box our mattresses, some people like to buy them that way,” Matthews said.
BIG BEDDING PRESENCE
Cleveland said the TFM is not only the leading bedding market in the area, but also in the country. “Bedding is big business,” he said. TURN TO BEDDING, 11
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Help me ... I’m in love with an entrepreneur
and can be thin skinned. If you add to that list a feastor-famine income stream –what could go wrong? If ou have hitched your wagon to an entrepreneur and you want to not only survive but thrive on that roller coaster, I have a few insights and suggestions: • Try not to be offended if an entrepreneur can’t verbalize the latest problem or conhat would being cept. It’s like drinking from in love with an a firehose – there is just too entrepreneur be much information swimming like? I don’t know. around in their brain to get it I can, however, tell you about out in coherent sentence. It is one side of that equation. If you also possible they don’t have are married to, committed to the entire concept worked out or live with an entrepreneur, I yet. believe there is a special place • Don’t expect him/her to for you in heaven. The life of complete their sentences. an entrepreneur is volatile, to Remember there is nonstop say the least. I can only imagine chatter going in between his or what it is like from the passenher ears. Be prepared for spurts ger seat. of dialog. Entrepreneurial character• Movement as much as comistics can make relationships pletion. Entrepreneurs are well even more difficult. Many known for not completing projentrepreneurs are described as ects. One of the reasons for that loners. I have read that most dynamic is that entrepreneur’s entrepreneurs have about dou- view movement on a project as ble the inner dialogue going on much as they do actual combetween their ears as most peo- pletion of the project. ple, which probably adds to the • Multitasking – Entrepreloner trait. ADD and ADHD are neurs keep multiple plates common with entrepreneurs. spinning at one time. All I can They tend to be head strong say is to suggest letting them
DAVID HENSON
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deal with it and don’t try to keep up. • The unsaid – most entrepreneurs are deep thinkers and can percolate on issues/problems long before they verbalize it. The safer you make for them to verbalize the more you will know what is rolling around in that brain of his or hers.
• Never underestimate your influence. It is big, it is complete. You may not realize it, but you have the power to make or break him or her. It is very likely your entrepreneur has a very small circle of people that he or she really listens to – never forgot you are in that circle.
Entrepreneurial characteristics can make relationships even more difficult. Many entrepreneurs are described as loners. I have read that most entrepreneurs have about double the inner dialog going on between their ears as most people, which probably adds to the loner trait. ADD and ADHD are common with entrepreneurs. They tend to be head strong and can be thin skinned. At the same time when they do verbalize things, don’t confuse thinking out loud with a decision. • If your entrepreneur is a workaholic, try not beat him/ her over the head with it. If your entrepreneur really enjoys what they do, this can be a big issue. I can assure you, they are not doing it to hurt anyone. I am not excusing it, I am just suggesting this dynamic is probably a by-product of other dynamics.
• Be patient. When possible give him or her time to work through their concept. Most entrepreneurs are working on concepts that have not be done before, so there is no rule book. • Never tell entrepreneurs what to do. You know that approach has never worked before. Let them come to their own solution. The problem is you have to see them struggle until a resolution is found. Most importantly, learn to ask
them questions that will help them come to their own answer • When things go wrong – and they will at some point – remind your entrepreneur you love him or her and that you are hitched. This is the place where you can really make a difference. This is where you can unleash a power in the entrepreneur that can move mountains. The trick is to help your entrepreneur see what went wrong without beating him or her up. And never say, “I told you so.” I hope that helps. Also, I am currently working on an article for the flip side of this issue which is what the entrepreneur can do to contribute to a marriage and or relationship. So if you are the spouse/partner/significant other to an entrepreneur and you have a suggestion email any suggestions or insights to dwhenson1956@gmail.com. DAVID HENSON is the owner of Sycamore Real Estate. He grew up in a family owned furniture manufacturing business and has been successful in the industry for 40 years. Henson teaches a leadership class at Itawamba Community College focusing on family business dynamics and entrepreneurial leadership.
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Even when times are good, be prepared
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pare for war.” While investing is not as dire, it is wise to heed that saying as it can be translated to mean “in times of tranquility, prepare for volatility”. When times are good, there is a real tendency to forget about diversification, or in laymen’s terms, not to have all your eggs in one basket. Clients should be invested in nquestionably, times different sectors of the market are good in the investand asset classes. Compament world right now. nies in the investment world I get calls from clients are broken down into three and you can almost hear them categories, large cap, mid cap whistling, “Happy Days are Here and small cap. The factor that Again”as they look at their state- determines which one they fall ments and retirement plans. in is based on the value of the Just as the tough times from company if you take the numseveral years past seem like a bers of shares of the company bad memory, it is important that outstanding times the market we remember we will certainly value of each share. see them again at some point. If a company has a value over The Romans had a very wise $10 billion they are viewed as motto: “In times of peace, prelarge cap. Below $2 billion small
cap and mid caps being any in between. Large companies generally are more stable and pay higher dividends. Small caps have more potential for growth and mid caps again somewhere in between. Generally investors should be have holdings in all three, with the level of such being how much risk the investor is willing to accept. Another way to help with volatility is to diversify across market sectors or different industries. To see the importance of this, travel back to the late 1990s. It seemed liked the world had permanently shifted and the only diversification one needed was to own a couple of internet stocks and WorldCom and all was good. We all know the end to that story. In the early 2000s, all you needed was real estate. Not a happy ending to that story either.
Sectors ebb and flow return wise, and one cannot predict which one will be the best since no one can predict the future. A better strategy is to instead look for companies in all industries that have solid fundamentals and sound stable management. Don’t be blinded by the bling of excitement that a newer company can have also. Three of the best performing stocks in the S&P 500 index in 2017 were three old-line stodgy companies – Alcoa, Boeing and Caterpillar. I promise the old-line stodgy returns spend just like returns on newer more glamorous companies. It is important to remember good investment opportunities don’t stop at our shores either. Around the world, markets perform like ours but not on our timetable. As an example, one
of the best performing markets in the world for 2017 was in Argentina, a country synonymous with volatility. Just several years ago, it was one the worst performers in the financial markets. And remember that great companies we think about everyday such as Toyota, Nestle and BP all are headquartered in countries other than the U.S. It makes sense that just because a company is not a U.S. company, it shouldn’t be overlooked as an investment option. In 2018, we can all hope the good times will be here for a long time. Just remember, things can change quickly and without warning. I’m sure Noah started to build his ark when it was a sunny day.
focus on the maintenance side to deal with it to make it more palatable fo customers. We had a lot of features and advantages of flexibility and modularity of replacement parts. We have a whole replacement division that makes parts.” Product research and development, meanwhile, continues at VIP as it works to keep and
expand its market share and to keep ahead of the competition. “There’s a lot of business to the business,” Simons said. “You have to have a road map for the future. In the early years, we didn’t have one.” Theater seat conversions average about $500,000, and depending the size, could cost more. The Malco in Tupelo, for
example, had stadium seating, and the work there will take a little more effort. The cost for that project is more than $900,000. With projects continuing to come domestically and internationally, VIP is in an ideal situation. “It’s pretty exciting,” Simons said of the company’s trajec-
tory. “The reality is we have 600,000 seats in circulation. We service a worldwide audience. We’ve created the No. 1 income stream for theaters across the industry. And all of this is coming from New Albany, Mississippi. Amazing.”
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CHRIS COLE
VIP FROM 3
going through rigorous use, VIP seats get worn out. Theaters come back to the company for repair and replacements. “The replacement cycle is five to seven years,” he said. “So a couple of years ago, we started a
CHRIS COLE is a Chartered Wealth Advisor and vice president of Hilliard Lyons in Tupelo.
dennis.seid@journalinc.com Twitter: @dennisseid
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BUSINESS JOURNAL
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Life lessons I learned in school still apply
help them regardless of what field they may find a job. • Be punctual. Show up on time. I know I’ve mentioned in a previous article, but it bears repeating. A Scouting friend who served in the Mississippi National Guard advises his Scouts, “If you are five minutes early, you are on time. If you are on time, you are late.” he things that I learned Schools used to give awards in school I can use in ap- for perfect attendance. We all plying for a job or meet- work better when we are all engaged together. Even when ing a new customer. I attended college, I went to When the Furniture Acadeevery class. If I had an issue my was launched last year, the with the class, the professor purpose of the academy was recognized me because I was not to train candidates how to there, and I was given the build furniture. The furniture manufacturing members of the benefit of the doubt on more than one occasion because I academy teach their skills differently. The focus was to train was “known.” Being present candidates on life skills that will and being approachable is
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TY ROBINSON
important. • Play well with others. We are all players working on a much larger scale than we can see ourselves. Everyone’s job is important. I recently had new business cards printed, and I purposely left off my job title. I am no more important that anyone else in my company. We all have our part to play. If we all do our jobs well, we all succeed. • Learning to count. Fiscal responsibility is difficult. There are so many demands on the money we all earn. It takes discipline to live on a budget. Sitting down and listing all of the household expenses can be overwhelming – I know it is for me. It’s important for me to know where my money is going. Then I also know if I can save
and what I can save. It’s hard for me to think about retirement because it is a long way away for me, but I know if I save a little now, that it will be easier than trying to save for retirement later. • Dress for success. Times have changed. When I was job hunting out of college, I wore a suit because everyone with whom I interviewed was wearing one too. When I call on a new customer, I usually wear a coat and tie even though I know they might not be wearing them. It is always easier to dress down than it is to dress up. I want to make that good first impression. My work will be just as good whether I’m wearing a tie or not, but I still want to look my best. North Mississippi is very fortunate to have a strong furniture manufacturing
community. Furniture jobs count for over 31 percent of manufacturing sector jobs in this region. That’s huge! We’re fortunate to have such strong players in our marketplace, and we are fortunate to have folks like United Furniture purchasing Lane to keep the jobs in our marketplace. There are some great jobs available in furniture. Just check out the classified ads. And, if you’re interested in learning more about the Furniture Academy, go to www. StepToTheFrontOfTheLine. com. Remember what you learned in school, and you’ll do fine! TY ROBINSON is president and COO of Robinson and Associates, a Tupelo-based marketing, advertising and public relations agency.
LAND FOR SALE
PINNACLE POINT PARCELS NORTH GLOSTER STREET
PROPERTY OVERVIEW Parcels to be sold delivered in a rough-graded, relatively flat condition with utilities extended to the property border. Ingress / egress will be provided by common drive which accesses the assisted living facility and other future commercial uses Parcel configuration: Lot 1 = 235’ x 350’ irr; Lot 2 = 360’ 355’ irr. Lot Size: 4.09 Acres LOCATION OVERVIEW Located on Tupelo’s primary commercial / business corridor, which offers 5 lanes with a dedicated turn lane. High avg daily traffic volume of 24,000 vehicles per day. Developer is approved to construct an assisted living facility immediately west of the parcels. Other neighbors include banks, restaurants, office users, and strip retail
LAND FOR SALE
PRESENTED BY TRI INC. COMMERCIAL BROKERAGE CLAY SHORT
BARRY REPLOGLE
cshort@trirealestate.net
breplogle@trirealestate.net chris@trirealestate.net
(662) 231-4262 (662) 321-1201
FEBRUARY 2018
CHRIS WINDERS
(662) 255-4404
TRI Inc. Commercial • 600 West Main Street Suite B • Tupelo, MS 38804 • 662-842-8283 • View all of our listings: www.trirealestate.net
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Bedding
it’s more used than any other piece of furniture in your house, so why would you not try to let that part of FROM 6 your life be enhanced,” Cleveland said. “It’s not the biggest business – upholCleveland said consumers are more stery is the biggest business, and that’s by far the biggest industry around here, aware of healthy lifestyle habits, such as being able to get a good night’s as far as manufacturers are concerned. sleep, which puts pressure on matBut we do have bedding manufacturtress manufacturers and even pillow ers around here, and bedding is a big category, because people are coming up manufacturers, to innovate with bedding. with new and interesting mattresses.” He said there also is a burgeoning Cleveland said he saw mattresses consumer demand for high-quality with air conditioning and heating inside of them at the Winter Furniture pillows. Market this year. “It’s inside the mattress, so your A NEW CUSTOMER BASE mattress is not Cool-Gel, it’s actually Some experts say millennial conair conditioned...they’re really coming sumers strengthen the bedding marup with a lot of bells and whistles in ket, because as this age group grows the mattress industry that’s making older, they progress in their careers retail sales soar,” Cleveland said. and increase disposable income to Cleveland said customers will upspend on purchases like mattresses, grade older mattresses as well – parfurniture, refrigerators and appliancticularly customers with back injuries es. or sleep disorders – which has become Patterson said millennials are a wild an important factor retailers can hinge card consumer in the mattress industry, on regarding sales. but the industry does see many custom“You spend eight to 10 hours of ers who pre-shop online before coming your life everyday on your mattress, into a store to see a product in person.
ADAM ROBISON | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM
Araceli Espinoza, a sewer at Signature Mattress in Tupelo, sews the quilted top of a mattress together before it is sewn onto the mattress. “What we find is that the specs you get on the internet don’t always represent the entire story,” Patterson said. “But if a person comes in and they know more than me, I’ll sell it to them”
On the other hand, Signature Bedding owner Matthews said most of its customers come from the older, over40 crowd. cristina.carreon@journalinc.com Twitter: @Ccarreon90
WHERE A GREAT PERFORMANCE...
Is An Everyday Event!
Built in the heart of the Mid-South, the BancorpSouth Arena & Conference Center is designed to accommodate events that demand comfort, convenience, and flexibility. Meeting rooms at the BancorpSouth Arena & Conference Center are built to suit most any gathering.
375 East Main • Tupelo 841-6573 • 841-6413 fax www.bcsarena.com
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FEBRUARY 2018
QUALIFIED STAFFING
Qualified Staffing recently held a ribbon cutting at its new location, 704 Hillcrest Dr., Ste. C in Tupelo. A leading staffing and recruiting service provider, Qualified Staffing offers talent solutions and great jobs for job seekers as well as a range of customizable workforce staffing solutions. Contact Qualified Staffing at q-staffing. com or call (662) 680-6999.
FEBRUARY 2018
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Business Directory A PA R T M E N T S
BANK
AUTOMOTIVE COMMERCIAL VEHICLES
Apartment Homes 1, 2, & 3 Bedrooms
MILITARY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, & FIREFIGHTER DISCOUNT Ask about our Military & Law Enforcement Discount
Call 662-891-5000
Call Robin Barnett today! 662-841-8743 rbarnett@trustmark.com
Whether you’re hauling or delivering...Call
DWAYNE BLACKMON CHEVROLET for your commercial vehicle needs!
3260 Hwy 145 N. • Tupelo, MS 38804
1410 SOUTH GLOSTER / TUPELO / 842-3611
BANK
BANK
B ATH R EMODELING Bath Remodeling Shower Remodeling Tub-To-Shower Conversion Bathroom Accessories Handicap Accessible
Bank Of Okolona Okolona
P.O. Box 306 • Okolona, Mississippi 38860
(662) 447-5403
NOW WITH:
Houston Banking Center
321 W. Madison St. • Houston, Mississippi
(662) 456-3347
Bank of Mantee
Give Us One Day… We’ll Give You A Beautiful New Bathroom!
Calhoun Banking Center
54 1st Street • Mantee, Mississippi
(662) 983-3700
www.fmbms.com
www.bankofokolona.com
Rex & Diannah Coggins, Owners
Ph: (662) 365-7021
(662) 365-8902 N H A R Fax: Y D W WA & L D SUPPLY, RE A INC. B
• Electrical • Glass • Valspar Paints • Welding Supplies • Portable Carports
• Full Service • Hardware • Building Supplies • Plumbing • Hydraulic Hoses
2015 McCullough Blvd. • Tupelo, MS 38801
CHILD CARE
BUILDING SUPPLIES
BUILDING SUPPLIES
Licensed And Insured
662-350-3175
200 S. Pontotoc Rd. • Bruce, Mississippi
(662) 456-5341
FREE IN HOME ESTIMATE
www.bathfitter.com
Lumbe ville r Boone Company Full Line of Lumber, Hardware, Plumbing and Electrical Supplies 2300 E. Chambers Dr. • Booneville • 728-0094
Booneville Hardware & Supply 403 Church St. • Booneville • 728-0032 "For all your hardware needs"
1187 North 4th St. • Baldwyn, MS 38824
Robbie Parker - Owner & Director 6 Weeks - 12 Years 1242 S Green St After SchoolMS Program Tupelo, 38804Available 2541 McCullough Blvd. • Tupelo, MS 38801 Phone: 662-842-2611 Email: 620-9062 info@journalinc.com
JOURNAL PUBLISHING COMPANY
JOURNAL PUBLISHING COMPANY
JOURNAL PUBLISHING COMPANY
TERESA MCDONALD
KRYSTAL BLACK
LEIGH KNOX
ONLINE
INTERACTIVE
ONLINE
INTERACTIVE
ONLINE
INTERACTIVE
Multimedia/Inside Sales Consultant
Multimedia/Inside Sales Consultant
Multimedia/Inside Sales Consultant
teresa.mcdonald@journalinc.com
krystal.black@journalinc.com
leigh.knox@journalinc.com
PO Box 909 Tupelo, MS | 38802-0909 1242 South Green Street Tupelo, MS | 38804
Phone 662.678.1531 or 1.800.270.2614 ext.531 Fax 662.620.8301
PO Box 909 Tupelo, MS | 38802-0909 1242 South Green Street Tupelo, MS | 38804
Phone 662.678.1532 or 1.800.270.2614 ext.532 Fax 662.620.8301
PO Box 909 Tupelo, MS | 38802-0909 1242 South Green Street Tupelo, MS | 38804
Phone 662.678.1626 or 1.800.270.2614 ext.530 Fax 662.620.8301
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BUSINESS JOURNAL
FEBRUARY 2018
FEBRUARY 2018
Business Directory C O L L I S I O N R E PA I R
COMMERCIAL CLEANING SERVICES
C OMMERCIAL P LUMBING
RH PLUMBING, INC. 24 Hour Wrecker Service
Junior Burns - Cell 662-728-0524 David Denson - Cell 662-416-5591 100 W. Veterans Drive • Booneville, MS 38829
224 Starlyn Ave. New Albany, MS 38652
662-534-4448
Phone 662-728-4459 • Fax (662) 728-4150
C O O L I N G & H E AT I N G
0%
www.mmheatcool.net • Scott Mattox, Owner * All financing requires an approved credit application.
RICHARD HANLON (662) 447-3213
P.O. BOX 417 Okolona, MS 38860
Thank you for choosing RH Plumbing. We appreciate your business
E M P L O Y M E NG T IFTS OPPORTUNITIES
FINANCING
F O R U P TO 6 0 MONTHS PLY ON 1242 SA PGreen StL I N E A T WWW.MMHEATCOOL.NET Tupelo, MS 38804 F R E E E S T I M AT E S Phone: 662-842-2611 1255 NELLE STREET | TUPELO Email: info@journalinc.com 662-844-0270
Commercial Plumbing, Gas & Industrial Piping
FURNITURE
formerly Okolona Drug Co.
Everything for 589 N. Coley Rd. Fishing Tupelo, Mostly MS New
Sat. 7-11 www.careers.iqor.com Great Employment 104 St. Andrews Rd • Okolona,Opportunities MS • (662)447-3711
903 Varsity Dr. Tupelo, MS
Fine Furniture, Fabrics, & Flooring INSURANCE
I N S U L AT I O N
C ONCRETE
Mon.-Fri. 9am - 5pm
Hancock Insurance Agency INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
401 Elizabeth St. • Tupelo 662-842-7305 G IFTS
Member of the QCN Network. Saving You Money And Making You More Comfortable For Over 38 Years Residential & Commercial Insulation, Installation Blown-In Attic Insulation - Blown-in Wall Insulation - Batting www.nsul8or@att.net www.nsul8or.com
662-844-1306
3166 West Jackson, Tupelo, MS
Everything for
1242 S Green St Fishing Tupelo, MS 38804 Mostly New Phone: 662-842-2611 Sat. 7-11 Email: info@journalinc.com 104 St. Andrews Rd • Okolona, MS • (662)447-3711
1242 S Green St Tupelo, MS 38804 662-534-2661 662-842-2611 Allen Hancock Scott Hancock Phone: 720 W. Bankhead St. New Albany Email: info@journalinc.com Monthly Rates Available
JOURNAL PUBLISHING COMPANY
JOURNAL PUBLISHING COMPANY
CHELSEA SPAIN
JESSICA HUNTER
formerly Okolona Drug Co.
ATV • Life • Health Annuities • RV • Automobile Motorcycle • Home Mobile Home Medicare Supplements
ONLINE
INTERACTIVE
ONLINE
INTERACTIVE
Multimedia/Inside Sales Consultant
Multimedia/Inside Sales Consultant
chelsea.spain@journalinc.com
jessica.hunter@journalinc.com
PO Box 909 Tupelo, MS | 38802-0909 1242 South Green Street Tupelo, MS | 38804
Phone 662.678.1533 or 1.800.270.2614 ext.533 Fax 662.620.8301
PO Box 909 Tupelo, MS | 38802-0909 1242 South Green Street Tupelo, MS | 38804
Phone 662.678.1538 or 1.800.270.2614 ext.538 Fax 662.620.8301
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Business Directory KENNELS
LOCKSMITH
PRINTING
MILLER’S SAFE & LOCK SERVICE, INC.
arber Printing, Inc.
NEW & USED SAFES
• Safes Serviced & Installed • Locks Installed • Locksets • Combinations Changed • Locks Rekeyed • Lost Keys Replaced • Master Key Systems • High Security Keys AUTO RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL
brddgs@gmail.com www.dalinskennel.com
PRINTING • GRAPHIC DESIGN • SIGNS BANNERS • BLACK & WHITE/COLOR COPIES
(662) 842-7720
811 A Varsity Dr. • Tupelo, MS • 662.841.1584 8am - 4:30pm • goodimpressions@barberprinting.com
1219 ⁄2 NELLE STREET • TUPELO 1
R E A L E S TAT E
R E S TA U R A N T
R E S TA U R A N T
Party Trays for all Occasions!
Thinking of Selling Your Home or Property? We Have Six Full-Time Agents Pontotoc Ridge Realty, Ltd. Who Call MOSSY OAK PROPERTIES OFFICE Pontotoc Home. 1242 SISEACH Green St OWNED AND OPERATED INDEPENDENTLY
• Pizza Spaghetti • Salad Bar • Sandwich • Pasta Special Every Thursday
Tupelo, MS 38804 Call Us Today Phone: 662-842-2611 Email: info@journalinc.com 662-489-2848
Roofing E TA I L R
Alternatives to Cigarettes
Ecigs, Mechanical Mods, Vapor Smokes, Tanks/Cartomizers, Ejuice, Blu, V2, Century 21 Ecigs
709 S 4th St. • Baldwyn, MS
Mon.-Thurs. 11-10 • Fri.-Sat. 11-11 • Sun. 12-10
ROOFING Technology
W
HE
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R
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OF
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“A Family Business Since 1946”
• Residential • Commercial • Industrial FREE Estimates LICENSED & INSURED
411 CLARK ST. ❖ TUPELO ❖ 844-4481
T R ET ERucking SERVICES
365-7059
1101 W. Main • Tupelo 842-3774
T RUCKING
It's time to get more performance from your network with far less. As in less bandwidth utilization, fewer resources, and less cost.
1242 S Green St Tupelo, MS 38804 CIRCADENCE R&D FACILITY Phone: 662-842-2611 CDF BUILDING • 398 EAST MAIN ST., 2ND FLOOR • TUPELO, MS 38804 Email: info@journalinc.com 662-821-2500 • www.circadence.com
JOURNAL PUBLISHING COMPANY PRINT
ONLINE
INTERACTIVE
PHILLIP WILBURN
Multimedia/Inside Sales Consultant Trimming • Removal • Stump Grinding Hazardous Tree Removal Experts Free Estimates / Insured 24-HOUR SERVICE
phillip.wilburn@journalinc.com 3637 PEPPERTOWN ROAD FULTON, MS 38834 (662) 862-6497
PO Box 909 Tupelo, MS | 38802-0909 1242 South Green Street Tupelo, MS | 38804
Phone 662.678.1530 or 1.800.270.2614 ext.530 Fax 662.620.8301
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FEBRUARY 2018