ARTICLE
2018 Small Business of the Year The Small Business of the Year Award recognizes a small business with a special entrepreneurial spirit, a unique marketing approach, or a special focus on the customer that results in a successful business…all while making time to actively serve the community. Founded in July 2011, this small business opened with a focus to connect the community of Easley to the arts. Today, as a result of the leadership and guidance of its owner, the business has become known as the place where students learn beginning and advanced skills in music, art and theatre. In 2016, after winning the City of Easley’s Main Street Challenge grant, the owner embarked on a business transformation to not only relocate the business to South Pendleton Street in downtown Easley, but to also expand her business model. That resulted in the complete renovation of a 1946 building and the addition of a music retail shop called Midtown Music, a recording studio, and the Encore Theatre. The music shop rents instruments to local schools and colleges, as well as sells a wide variety of musical instruments, books, and accessories. Since moving to the new business location, the economic impact to the City of Easley has been realized with significant increases in monthly sales revenue, and the local option tax revenue has increased through sales at the music retail shop. In addition, this business is helping draw new traffic and interest in downtown Easley, as those who take lessons or shop there are not just from the our local Easley area, but also from Anderson, Clemson, Greenville, and Powdersville. The amazing back drop to this business success story is that during the business transformation in 2017, the owner continued to represent theatre artists as a long-standing board member and current CEO of the Foothills Playhouse Theatre. In addition, she serves on the board of the Arts Council of Pickens County and assists in major events such as the annual Fall for the Arts and Spring Fling festivals. She encourages people of all ages to embrace their artistic, creative talents and skill, and her tireless support of the arts has brought increased awareness to the Easley area. This is a small business rooted in professionalism and passion for the arts, with a strong desire to serve its customers and community. Please us in honoring Amanda Gunter and the Fine Arts Center of Easley as our 2018 Small Business of the Year.
2018 Small Business of the Year
The Small Business of the Year Award recognizes a small business with a special entrepreneurial spirit, a unique marketing approach, or a special focus on the customer that results in a successful business…all while making time to actively serve the community.
Founded in July 2011, this small business opened with a focus to connect the community of Easley to the arts. Today, as a result of the leadership and guidance of its owner, the business has become known as the place where students learn beginning and advanced skills in music, art and theatre. In 2016, after winning the City of Easley’s Main Street Challenge grant, the owner embarked on a business transformation to not only relocate the business to South Pendleton Street in downtown Easley, but to also expand her business model. That resulted in the complete renovation of a 1946 building and the addition of a music retail shop called Midtown Music, a recording studio, and the Encore Theatre. The music shop rents instruments to local schools and colleges, as well as sells a wide variety of musical instruments, books, and accessories.
Since moving to the new business location, the economic impact to the City of Easley has been realized with significant increases in monthly sales revenue, and the local option tax revenue has increased through sales at the music retail shop. In addition, this business is helping draw new traffic and interest in downtown Easley, as those who take lessons or shop there are not just from the our local Easley area, but also from Anderson, Clemson, Greenville, and Powdersville.
The amazing back drop to this business success story is that during the business transformation in 2017, the owner continued to represent theatre artists as a long-standing board member and current CEO of the Foothills Playhouse Theatre. In addition, she serves on the board of the Arts Council of Pickens County and assists in major events such as the annual Fall for the Arts and Spring Fling festivals. She encourages people of all ages to embrace their artistic, creative talents and skill, and her tireless support of the arts has brought increased awareness to the Easley area.
This is a small business rooted in professionalism and passion for the arts, with a strong desire to serve its customers and community.
Please us in honoring Amanda Gunter and the Fine Arts Center of Easley as our 2018 Small Business of the Year.