KGWN –Cheyenne, WY– Scottsbluff, NE News,Weather, SportsOne Wyoming Entrepreneur's Blueprint for Success

One Wyoming Entrepreneur's Blueprint for Success

Going from helping out a few friends with their vehicles to a business that's has thousands of customers from all over the world may not seem very likely.

But that's what a couple of Cheyenne entrepreneurs have done in only five years.

Bob and Mary Levenhagen are the co-owners of T&T Customs.

Back in 2005 they had the idea of becoming entrepreneurs, even they had no idea how quickly they could grow and how rewarding being a Wyoming Small Business owner could be.

"It's the best thing there is. I don't have a boss. I have a partner who's my wife but I don't have a boss. I do what I need to do when I need to do it," said Bob Levenhagen.

Before getting into the business world, Bob worked in the Air Force for 20 years and Mary managed restaurants.

"Before we jumped right into it though we did take a next level training class out at LCCC and that was like a entrepreneur start up class and that was very, very helpful," Mary Levenhagen said.

Bob says the resources Wyoming has for small businesses were critical to getting started.

"First phone call, Small Business Administration. Talk to them first. They've got all the resources you need. Most if not all of it is free."

To build a successful business they said it's important to continue taking small steps toward your goal.

"Take some classes, have a business plan, have a entering and a exit business plan and just continue baby steps. Don't try to jump in too deep. Just do a little at a time and continue to grow," said Mary.

Their success was built on hard work and a desire to succeed.

"It's a job that requires whatever it takes. If that means eight to eight. Saturdays, Sundays. The customer always comes first, you have to be willing to put in the effort to get your business up and running," Bob said.

By putting the customer first their customer base has grown from a couple to over five thousand.

"At first it was local, then we got nationwide, now we got orders from Australia, from Italy, Canada is easy because it's considered real close to us but we've shipped all over the place, it's amazing," Mary said.

Just last week T&T Customs was honored with the Small Business Manufacturer of the Year Award by the Wyoming District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration.