Score One for the Entrepreneurs

Eric Gross Sokhara Kim is flanked by Jim Eppinger (right) and Al Bevacqua. Since its inception six years ago, the Putnam Chapter of SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) Counselors to America’s Small Business has coached and assisted more than 2,000 clients in need of assistance. The all-volunteer organization provides guidance and direction for new businesspeople as well as seasoned entrepreneurs seeking support in expanding their livelihood.

While always being helpful and professional to its clients, the federally sponsored agency had never devoted so much time to a single case until Sokhara Kim, a Cambodian refugee, walked through the doors of the SCORE office at 34 Gleneida Avenue in Carmel 18 months ago.

Putnam SCORE Chapter Co-chairman Jim Eppinger recalled that day last week. “The young woman was timid and was in tears,” Eppinger recalled. She had spent 20 years creating a dry cleaning and tailoring business in Philipstown that went up in flames in September 2005. She took whatever money she had and hired an architect to rebuild, went into debt, had plans approved by officials in Philipstown, and received a building permit, but when she attempted to obtain a bank loan, her application was rejected.”

Eppinger and several counselors sat down with Kim, advising her that a business plan was needed, however, due to her limited English, creating such a tool was impossible.

The counselors took Kim under their wings despite questioning their own ability to help. “We tried,” said Eppinger. “Other banks turned her loan requests down. She was frantic and so was SCORE. Something told us that someone out there would help. Counselors wrote her business plan, which was something we had never done before. Our prayers were finally answered when the Putnam Federal Credit Union agreed to loan her $50,000 to kick start her new Nice and Neat Dry Cleaning on Route 9 two miles north of the Route 301 interchange, and scheduled to open August 23 in a rented facility.”

A Nelsonville contractor, Bill Villetto, who was a former customer of the dry cleaning business, was also deeply moved by the woman’s determination and agreed to obtain a construction loan on his own to erect the 6,000-squarefoot building for Nice and Neat’s future permanent home, which will include not only the dry cleaning business but also Highland Liquors and the new Wave Realty, which will lease 1,500 square feet of space. The balance of the building will be leased to SK Sewing, Inc., also owned by Kim.

Eppinger said once the building is completed, the New York State Business Development Corporation had agreed to finance the entire project—building, property, and equipment—that will be transferred to Kim in lieu of a mortgage. “The builder gets his money immediately, while the businesswoman will pay back the loan through rental income that will cover the mortgage and building operation,” said Eppinger.

Kim stopped by the SCORE office last Thursday to sign documents. She called the SCORE counselors “my angels. I never give up. I was a survivor from the war, fleeing my native land in 1981 and coming to America.”

Kim, a Cambodian “boat person,” relocated to the US after being sponsored by her sister, who emigrated here in 1979. She moved to Shrub Oak. Sokhara has three grown children—two daughters and one son.

Kim said the philosophy of her life has been “work. I am always working. Work is good for you.”

When she first immigrated to the US, Kim worked in a restaurant in Cold Spring before opening her own sewing business, which she said, “allowed me to make money faster. The restaurant business was so-so but people always need clothing.”

Despite her limited income, Kim sent her three children to college as well as supporting her mother. “Life has been a challenge,” she said, “but it has been worthwhile. Look at me. If I can succeed, anyone with determination can succeed.”

Eppinger was turned to tears when asked about the special client: “This is the pinnacle. SCORE is here to help and Sokhara really needed help. We decided ‘never’ was not a part of our vocabulary. I never have felt more satisfied with any client. Sokhara really deserved help and help has arrived.”

Kim gave her heroes a hug: “You have put me back on my feet again. How can I ever repay you?”

Eppinger smiled: “At SCORE we never say ‘never!’”