Reprinted with permission from Small Business Development Center

Marjorie Charlier owned an antique store in Suamico, Ground Floor Shoppes, for 35 years. A few years ago she started looking for a way to ease into an early retirement. She thought selling over the internet might be a way to ease out of business. She closed the shop, but things haven't worked out quite as she expected.

Her business has mushroomed since going online. She's had to hire more people than ever before, and last year she was interviewed on CNBC for a segment on women entrepreneurs. Income has increased considerably. Her company now has six employees and owns a 6,000-square-foot building. People frequently call to learn how they can work for her company.

So, what about that early retirement?

The Small Business Development Center based at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay was recommended to Charlier by a friend. "He explained that these free resources were available and just waiting for me to use," she remarked. She called the SBDC to see if she could get help planning for the future. Shortly thereafter she met with Ernie Johnson, manager of counseling. "I used a lot of the information that Ernie gave me in that first meeting right away," she said. "Despite 35 years in business I'm still not comfortable with hiring employees and Ernie helped a lot."

As a contrast to many who are struggling to find and keep enough employees, Charlier has them knocking on her door. "It comes down to how you portray your business. Too many business owners don't think enough about their image."

At first Charlier interviewed people who just didn't understand what her business was about. "They were uncomfortable with a business they couldn't see and touch. They didn't understand what we did. Ernie helped me see that the employees need to 'get' what we're doing in order to be effective and those that can't have a lower chance of working out."

Her company has been selling art, antiques, prints and photographs for the past year via the internet auction site eBay. Her company is categorized as a top seller and ranks in the top percentile of total sales for eBay.

After assessing her situation during the first meeting, Ernie asked Michael Troyer, professor of management and family business expert at UW-Green Bay, to meet with her to help her determine where she wants to go and help her lay out a plan to get there. Dr. Troyer met with Charlier, at her business in Kewaunee, and they talked about where she really wanted to be in three years.

"I can't say enough. I was really impressed with the help I've received through the SBDC. The people from the University are progressive and are looking at what's going on right now and the direction that business is headed," she commented.

"I was a little bit worried they'd make me feel stupid," she noted. "But that wasn't the case at all. They made me feel my business was very interesting and had far-reaching impact. They made me feel good about it and reminded me of how important small businesses, like mine, are to the U.S. economy."

Though the sky is the limit, Charlier is still working on where she wants to be. "Ernie helped me see that although the sky might be the limit, that doesn't mean I have to go all out." We'll have to wait and see if that early retirement ever materializes.