21-young-entrpreneurPROCLAMATION NO. 2004-21
WHEREAS Barry Ely has a positive approach to life, combined with a willingness to take risks, desire to work and to succeed. Before Barry was old enough to work, he would visit family
friends who owned a convenience store and would beg them to let him “work” at their store. The owner, who later hired Barry as his store manager and eventually offered Barry his first
store, told his mom that he wished all of his employees were as hard-working, conscientious, and reliable as Barry; and
WHEREAS In August 1999, Barry Ely and Jim Nash visited the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Both were college students and needed assistance writing a business proposal to
purchase the Exxon Jif-E Mart where they both worked. With personal savings of $20,000 they received a $70,000 loan and purchased the business for $90,000. The young entrepreneurs
were very frugal during the first months of operation. They limited their draws to just barely what they needed to survive. The loan they received to purchase the business was repaid
within three years; and
WHEREAS The business is located at an intersection near Sam Houston State University. The store has shown an increasingly larger positive net profit each year that he has been in operation.
He bought Jim’s interest and is now the sole owner of Jif-E Mart Exxon, (Duke Enterprises, Inc.); and
WHEREAS His customers say they like the personal attention that he gives and that he makes a point to personally greet each person that walks through the door. He employs four part-time
employees to ensure that an attendant is always on duty to wash windshields and assist customers at the gas pumps; and
WHEREAS Barry’s future plans are to expand his business and purchase even more convenience stores. Recently he was approached and offered property to build a new store in Huntsville.
He has used the services of the SBDC on a continual basis since he bought the store. He also sits on the Advisory Board of the SHSU-SBDC and his young wisdom is evident at these meetings;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY PROCLAIMED, by the power vested in me as
Mayor of the City of Huntsville, Texas that:
May 20, 2004
be declared:
“BARRY ELY DAY”
in Huntsville, Texas.
PROCLAIMED AND SIGNED this the 20th day of May 2004.
_____________________________
Karl Davidson, Mayor