My successes.

After spending most of her work life in restaurants, retail, and advertising, Karen Hieb decided she was ready to dust off her Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology and try something new. She and her husband, Martin, bought Capitol Design in 2020, a wholesale routed and sandblasted signs company.

“My husband has been working in the sign industry for 30-plus years,” said Karen. “We actually met at a sign company we were both working for 34 years ago.”

When Martin’s position was eliminated during the pandemic, they decided they were done being dependent on others for their stability and success. While researching businesses for sale in their area, Martin came across Capitol Design.

Karen said she realized quickly she needed help with running a business. “I don’t have the business experience and knowledge my husband has, and I was struggling. I was looking specifically for a woman with experience in manufacturing.” That’s when she turned to the Small Business Administration, which recommended SCORE.

She found her perfect SCORE mentor match in Jane Liscio.

“Jane is very experienced in all aspects of manufacturing,” said Karen. “I can ask her anything about business and she will either know exactly what I should do, or she will direct me to the resources I need.”

She said working with Jane has taught her about the necessity of increasing prices and eliminating waste when possible. Karen said her SCORE mentor also encouraged her to investigate other revenue streams – producing and selling items made from Capitol Designs’ offcuts – and assisted her with human relations (HR) issues. She said her mentor also recommended being more proactive with their financials.

One of the toughest challenges Karen said she’s faced since becoming a small business owner was her diagnosis of ADHD in her 50s. “Nothing in business is ADHD-friendly,” she said. “Jane listened to my struggles and went above and beyond to find Matthew Hakes, another SCORE mentor who also has ADHD. Now, they co-mentor me. They are both wonderful people who have helped me immensely.”

Karen said while running a business is hard, being truthful with yourself about your abilities and realizing you can’t do it all and will need to ask for help are the things that have gotten her through it. She said she encourages entrepreneurs to get a mentor or a few mentors, and not to be afraid to rely on a support system. “If you don’t have one, find one.”

She highly recommends requesting a SCORE mentor to boost your chances of success. “Owning a business has been the hardest thing I have ever done. I have seen both the absolute best and the absolute worst in myself. I have realized my strengths and my weaknesses and am learning how to ask for help. Now, I get to work with my favorite person every day, and I have attained my lifelong dream of wearing jeans, T-shirts, tennis shoes, and no makeup at work!”