Survival Techniques

Longtime business owners discuss what it takes to navigate the challenges and triumphs of owning a business.

Words by Thomas Ingle | Images by Ryan McGill

Businesses come and go in Walker County, but ultimately what does it take to survive? Is it money, faith, hard work, or all the above?

Three long-term business owners—Dana Scheile, Mike Tittle, and Philip Bozeman—recently sat down with us at 78 Magazine to discuss what techniques they have used to keep the doors open throughout the years.

Dana Scheile

Pampered Pets is located at 4 Wright Street in Jasper, Ph: (205) 221-0657.

Dana is the owner of Pampered Pets in Jasper, a business that has been around since 1991. Dana became the owner in 1995 when she bought it from her aunt, Janice O’Neal Matson, the original owner.

One survival technique that Scheile mentioned was hard work.

"When we started, we were six days a week, eight-to-12-hour days, just to build the business," said Schelie.

Now Pampered Pets is open five days a week, Monday through Friday, and has been that way for the past ten years.

Scheile also sees the value of downsizing and maintaining a tight focus. When Pet Depot opened several years ago, Scheile’s business was offering pet supplies, boarding, and the sale of small animals, fish, and reptiles. Instead of going toe-to-toe with a big box corporation, Dana chose to downsize and focus strictly on grooming – a move that has been rewarding to her.

"I've been happy with it. We still work hard because this is not an easy job. Now I have more time with my customers,” said Scheile.

Mike Tittle

Viking Business Solutions is located at 101 19th Street East in Jasper, Ph: (205) 221-4042.

Mike Tittle underscores the importance of having a good staff and consistency in all you do as a means of survival over the years. Mike and his wife, Gina, own Viking Business Solutions and The Sugar Shack in Jasper. Mike says that hiring, equipping, and keeping the right core of people makes life as a small business owner much easier and has been a key to any long-term success the businesses have enjoyed.

Viking was founded in 1974 as Viking Office Supply under different ownership. Tittle and the late James Carroll Jones, a trusted friend, pastor, and business partner, bought the business in April 2003 and changed the name to Viking Business Solutions to reflect how the business was adapting to the needs of the local business community. After two years in business, Jones felt to led to pastor a church in Tuscaloosa, leaving Tittle as the sole owner. Their friendship remained solid, as Tittle would seek Godly wisdom from Jones through tough seasons of life. 

In addition to assembling a great staff, Tittle further emphasizes being a good steward in all that God has entrusted you. “It’s like the verse in the bible that says, ‘some plant, some water, but God gives the increase,’” Mike says. “You can have the best products, the best people, and the best service, but without folks providing you with the opportunity to prove it, you’re just another name. We have worked diligently in this community to become a trusted partner to our fellow businesses in this area, but at the end of the day, I truly believe it is God who has given the increase. My job is to simply steer the ship with a ready hand and do that in a way that honors Him.”

Philip Bozeman

Bozeman’s Associated Foods is located at 1635 Main Street in Sumiton, Ph: (205) 648-5712.

Philip Bozeman and his brother Mark are the owners of Bozeman's Associated Foods in Sumiton. Bozeman's has been around since the early 1960s, but on December 6, 1993, the Bozeman brothers took over that location and have been there ever since.

One key to success, Philip says, is providing great customer service.

"We just like to treat people like family, we try to treat our employees like family, and we want our customers to be treated that same way," said Bozeman.

Bozeman also believes in revamping and adjusting when the situation requires. For example, when Walmart came to town in 1999, Bozeman was forced to think outside the box. His direct response to compete with this behemoth was shifting from a conventional store to a cost-plus store.

"Whatever these items cost me, I bring it in as cost, and I sell it to you at cost,” he said. “And I'll add 10% at the front. That’s how we’re able to keep our prices so low.”

Whether it is fairness, focus, hard work, a good staff, low prices, or God’s grace, these survival techniques are something for local business owners to keep in mind as they fight the good fight, week-in and week-out. 78