Recycling Company named 2013 Rising Star

(Left to Right) Rising Star winners, Amy and Jason DiStefano,
along with Vol State Pres. Dr. Jerry Faulkner
and TSBDC Director Chalres Alexander 

The Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) at Volunteer State Community College has awarded Green Village Recycling of Hendersonville the 2013 Rising Star award. The Rising Star award goes to a small business that has had great success utilizing TSBDC resources. Owners Jason and Amy DiStefano worked with TSBDC Director Charles Alexander to develop a business plan when the venture was just an idea. Today, they have 500 customers in six counties.

“Four years ago Jason came to one of our workshops on starting a small business,” said Alexander. “Jason was telling me about this niche, this idea in his head.”

“Charles was the first person to read my business plan cover to cover,” said Jason DiStefano. “A lot of work has gone into this business and we could not have done it without the TSBDC.”

Green Village Recycling handles business and residential recycling needs, taking more than 400,000 pounds of material out of the refuse stream last year. They have a target of a million pounds of recycling for this year.

In 2012, the TSBDC at Vol State worked with 213 small businesses and clients, offering free and inexpensive classes, and counseling. In all, the projects raised $2.26 million in capital and created or retained 84 jobs. For more information and a list of classes contact Charles Alexander at Charles.alexander@volstate.edu or call 615-230-4780.