每日大赛

College presents local custom car builder with Rising Star Award

每日大赛 President L. Anthony Wise Jr. and the Tennessee Small Business Development Center in May presented the 2024 Rising Star Award to local custom car builders Smoky Mountain Rod & Customs.

The Tennessee Small Business Development Center, hosted at 每日大赛, presents the award annually to a client who shows significant potential for success and impact in their local community or field. 

“Smoky Mountain Rod & Customs has proven its tenacity and has such an exciting future ahead of it,” said Tennessee Small Business Center Director Gregg Bostick. “We are grateful to have played a part in their story, and look forward to continuing our relationship as they expand.”

Smoky Mountain Rod & Customs owners Blasia and Robert Perry launched the business in 2020, having always shared a love for custom cars. Since then, the company has grown to employ more than a dozen people and garnered praise for its custom sheet metal fabrication, 3D design, assembly, wiring, exhaust systems and custom chassis design.
 
The Perrys initially looked for expertise as they applied for an Employee Retention Credit from the IRS in early 2023. They later returned to Bostick for assistance with expansion plans, debt refinancing and lending options to support their working capital and equipment needs. Together, they created a detailed business plan, developed financial projections and gathered the necessary documentation to approach lenders. 

Apex Bank eventually approved an SBA 7(a) loan package totaling $431,000 that enabled the Perrys to purchase equipment, hire two additional employees and begin manufacturing custom chassis for their clients.
 
Smoky Mountain Rod & Customs has since expanded into a second building and is planning to offer an employee daycare facility. The business is also focused on scaling its custom chassis operations and adding even more team members. T

The Perrys hope to expand their business over the next five years, and are grateful for the support of the Tennessee Small Business Development Center.

“Gregg helped us so much,” Robert Perry said. “We are beyond pleased with the help Gregg gave us. With his guidance, we were able to secure this loan for our business. The lives that will be impacted from this will continue to grow as our business grows.”