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They Started Small–But They’re Growing

May 16, 2017
Active Concepts is a small business success story
 Lincoln Herald.net
Wayne Howard
Staff Writer 

This is Small Business Week. Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation declaring National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners.

More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and they create about two out of every three new jobs in the US each year.

The observance is sponsored nationally by the US Small Business Administration. In Lincoln County, Small Business Week is sponsored by the Lincoln Economic Development Association (LEDA). The week will include three seminars for small business owners and those who may be thinking about starting a business to be held Tuesday-Thursday mornings at Lincoln Country Club. The sessions will provide information on starting a business, contracting with the government, connecting veterans with jobs and raising capital.

Lincoln County Commissioners voted April 17th to proclaim April 30th-May 6th as Small Business Week in Lincoln County.

Rhonda Hunter, Entrepreneur Growth Specialist with LEDA, said the Lincoln Entrepreneur Growth Group (LEGG)–including government, nonprofit and for profit professionals committed to supporting and helping entrepreneurs and small business owners grow their companies to their fullest potential, provides a great advantage to those wanting to start a business in Lincoln County. The Gaston College Small Business Center is another excellent source of helpful information and guidance, she said.

While the week pays tribute to small businesses, most entrepreneurs would agree that while a successful small business is good, one that grows to become a bigger player in the marketplace is better.

Just such a case is Active Concepts, LLC. We talked last week with Durant Scholes, president of the company, which started out in 2000 with only 16 employees in New Jersey. A business associate moved to Mooresville and told Scholes he should consider coming to this area. Active Concepts purchased a facility on Lithia Inn Road and now employs over 90 people. They’ve just purchased additional adjacent land and are going to expand there, meaning more employees in the future.

Many may not know, but Active Concepts is a leader in supplying the cosmetic industry. The company is known for providing excellent benefits for its employees and for its concern for the environment. Active Concepts uses solar panels to reduce its carbon footprint.

Scholes said the success of Active Concepts is due to competitive innovation, customer service and sustainable business initiatives. While he is the company president, he said his most important job is Chief Visionary Officer.

By providing customized blends, unique ingredients not available from anyone else in the market, and emphasizing naturally derived products, they have become an industry leader.

Scholes says the growth of Active Concepts is in large part due to maintaining focus. “At Active Concepts we fully believe in Aristotle’s philosophy that ‘we are what we repeatedly do.’ Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit.”