OFFICIALS SALUTE SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Judy Below, who has owned Custom Design Inc. for almost five years, says she credits her employees for much of her success in the business of manufacturing custom-made draperies and bed spreads.

"I always remember a remark made by a boss several years back," said Below. "He told one of his employees that 40 families depended on him for a living. I thought that remark was so unfair. That employer didn't realize that he was really depending on his employees. I depend on my employees."

Below was talking to U.S. Sen. Christopher S. Bond and Susan Engeleiter, administrator of the Small Business Administration, in Washington, D.C. They visited her business operation Monday.

Bond and Engeleiter headed a delegation of small business and economic development officials who toured the 12,000-square-foot operation at 2365 Rust Avenue to gather information on a successful small business operation.

"We want to see what it takes to become a successful business woman," said Engeleiter. "We want to hear about any problems that may be encountered and how they were overcome. This information is valuable for future planning by the SBA."

"Small businesses across the country are responsible for creating hundreds of thousands of new jobs over the past decade," said Bond. "We must turn to the small business people for leadership and innovation as our economy starts to grow after some rough times."

"Women make a big difference in the small business outlook," adds Engeleiter. "They can, and do, make a tremendous impact in expanding our economy. Right now, women are starting new businesses twice as fast as men."

Bond, who is a member of a Senate panel on small businesses, invited Engeleiter to visit Missouri and talk to owners like Below to gain a "grassroots" perception of Missourians in business.

Joining Bond and Engeleiter on the visit were Dr. Kala Stroup, president of Southeast Missouri State University and a chairperson of the National Small Business Development Centers Advisory Board; Linda Cochran, the university's economic development director; Bob Hendrix and Judy Moss, of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce; and Gary Nodler, Region VII SBA administrator. Also present were Lloyd Smith and Greg Branum of Congressman Bill Emerson's office; Steve Wyatt of University of Missouri Extension; and Buzz Sutherland of the university's SBDC.

Earlier Monday, Bond was in St. Louis, where he announced that the Department of Labor had awarded more than a million dollars in emergency funds to assist about 5,000 McDonnell Douglas workers who were laid off last month.

"These funds will help the workers learn new skills, find new jobs, or help in establishing their own businesses," said Bond. "Some of the McDonnell people may become small business owners."

Below's story is one of the success stories in manufacturing and business.

She purchased Custom Design Inc. in September 1986 and has watched her business grow to include more than 800 customers in 20 states.

"We employ about 25 people here," said Below.

CDI is the exclusive supplier of custom-made draperies for Rust and Martin Furniture in this area, and markets a variety of products throughout a 20-state area.

Below is no stranger to the business that makes cloth draperies, window shades, bedspreads and top treatments.

"It was a big venture for me when I purchased the business in 1986," she said. "But, I had been involved in the business for quite a while."

She started work as a secretary for Rust and Martin Furniture more than 20 years ago, and had advanced to manager of R&M Custom Design Inc.

"I had most of the responsibilities of running the business at that time," she said. "I just didn't have the financial responsibilities. Now I have that, too."

The 25 employees at the plant do not include five salesmen, working through R&M Enterprises, who also take orders for CDI.

"We've expanded into some new fields," said Below. "We now provide draperies and bedspreads for the hotel/motel industry, several nursing home, and hospitals."

CDI was founded in March of 1969 by R&M Enterprises.

"Four years earlier it was a small drapery department, located in a small area in the Rust and Martin Furniture Store," said Below. "After the first four years, the demand exceeded the space, and the operation was moved into a building behind R&M Furniture, at 2364 Rust avenue, and became CDI."