SRDC regional project of the year

When Krista Trebesch graduated from high school, she had no idea she would be where she is today – running a successful business and being recognized at the regional level for that success.

“I’ve never won an award for anything,”?said Trebesch.

While that may have been true in the past, Trebesch can no longer claim that, as she was recently honored by the Southwest Regional Development Commission (SRDC) as the 2012 Regional Project of the Year.

“When you go into business you don’t expect to get awards for what you are doing,”?she said, adding it is an honor to be recognized.

Being the one business in the southwestern region of Minnesota, which includes the nine southwesternmost counties in the state.

“Self-employment is a very important – but often overlooked – component of local economic health, ac-counting for nearly 70 percent of the businesses and as much as 15 percent of the jobs in southwest Minne-sota,”?said David Benson, SRDC board chair during the presentation held at the SWROC?near Lamberton.

Trebesch, who started her business in 2005 by renting a space in a chiropractic office in Morgan, said she went to school to become a massage therapist at first to offer those learned skills to family and friends.

Things certainly took off for Trebesch who opened up her own facility northwest of Redwood Falls.

She said her client base is now more than 1,000.

Trebesch constructed a 36’X56’ facility on her rural property in Honner Town-ship on Liberty Avenue.

Trebesch had opened an office in her home and began building up a base of clients, which led to the need for an additional therapist.

That also led to the need for the new facility, which is where the SRDC came into the picture.

Trebesch was able to secure funding for her project from the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Marshall and from Minnwest Bank.

However, she needed additional capital for equipment for the facility.

Trebesch said she was told about the SRDC?loan program buy the SBDC.

“Then I?met Nan Larson,”?Trebesch said, adding getting the SRDC loan was an easy process because people like Larson helped her fill out the paperwork.

Within the couple fo weeks Trebesch had the funds she needed to take the next step in the process of opening up the facility known as Special Touch Massage and Day Spa, LLC.

The additional spa offerings were brought into the business based on client requests, and today Special Touch offers a wide variety of treatments for its clients, such as facials, pedicures, haircuts, color and styling.

“Krista’s business has been phenomenally successful, with the need for expansion in the near future,” said Benson. “She has created multiple jobs and delivers a unique service in a rural area that has a strong industry outlook.

“Krista is a wonderful example of someone with an entrepreneurial spirit and a talent that is growing her business strategically in a tough economy. She exemplifies the type of person to whom economic development practicioners are very excited to have in their area – a young person that is staying and growing in rural southwest Minnesota.

Trebesch said having SRDC?available provides a wonderful opportunity for people like her to get the assistance they need to get their business running. 

Trebesch, who said she currently employs 10 people part time, said she put together a five-year plan.

“Right now we are ahead of schedule,”?said Trebesch, adding they have already hit the year three goals.

Trebesch has a vision for the business that would include a variety of other things for her clients, and she is already looking to expand her business.

As the company continues to grow its client base the need to expand exists and the need for even more services grows.

Although much of her client base comes from about a 50-mile radius of her facility, Trebesch said she has clients who come from as far away as the metro area, and she recently even had people from Colorado.

Trebesch admitted the success of her business is not all her doing, as she has received significant support from family and friends, adding she has a great group of employees who have helped to build up the reputation of the business.

That support, she said, makes her role a lot easier.