Gifts Etcetera specializes in gifts and party supplies. This specialized retail business grew from Graham’s first venture in 2005, an upscale dollar store called Dollars & Sense.

After operating Dollars & Sense for two years in The Shops on Blue Parkway, Graham seized the opportunity to move to a better location in the same shopping area and at the same time change the direction of her retail enterprise.

With this move, she continues her dream of developing her own independently-owned business.

After teaching second grade for five years and serving in a management capacity at Southwestern Bell for 27 years, Graham decided to look for a new career as a small business owner of a retail operation.  She is a first-time business owner.

She first participated in the Kauffman Foundation’s FastTrac New Venture program where she completed a feasibility study and learned about KCSourceLink. Graham says she came to KCSourceLink to bridge the gap between her corporate management experience and ownership of a retail store -- a transition from corporate America to entrepreneurship. 

KCSourceLink matched her with two SCORE counselors with retail experience.  She attended a SCORE pre-business seminar and worked with the counselors on many aspects of business development, including finishing her business plan so that she could present it to a financial institution for financing.  As a result, she obtained the financing she needed.

KCSourceLink’s network navigator also helped Graham find the information she needed on obtaining her business permits and licenses without incurring legal fees.  She used the KCSourceLink web site, www.kcsourcelink.com to research the necessary information on her own, saving her both time and money.  KCSourceLink also helped her find information on wholesaler resources for products.

Barbara Graham continues to maintain close contact with KCSourceLink as she grows her newest business venture.