Andrew Finney of Perkins Drugs in Gallatin has been named the 2017 Rising Star by the Tennessee Small Business Development Center at Volunteer State Community College.
The pharmacy has also been honored as the Small Business Administration Tennessee Rural Owned Business of the Year.
The Rising Star Award goes to a small business that has had great success utilizing TSBDC resources. Finney became co-owner of the pharmacy, along with state Sen. Ferrell Haile and Sam Rickman, in 2009. In 2012 he became the full owner and has since grown the business by 30 percent, hired multiple employees, and is currently building a second location in Gallatin.
“The business goes back to 1895,” said Sen. Haile. “We were approached by chains to sell, but that wasn’t the direction we wanted to go. Sam and I were looking for someone who would be loyal to the heritage of Perkins Drugs.”
Haile and Rickman approached Finney, a recent University of Tennessee pharmacy school graduate, about taking over the business. Finney soon realized he needed help with business planning.
“Andrew was one of my very first clients at the TSBDC at Volunteer State Community College,” said local director Charles Alexander. “I’ll have to say he spoiled me, because I just assumed everybody would be as driven and as passionate as he is. Andrew has embodied what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur with his hard work, focus, and the way he treats people. Everyone that knows him, loves him and I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this award.”
“The TSBDC was the first step towards thinking through the process of buying into the business,” Finney said. “They provided me with invaluable counseling and education.”
Finney graduated from Vol State in 2000 with an associate of science degree. He serves on the foundation's Board of Trustees.
In 2016 the TSBDC at Vol State worked with 186 small businesses and clients, offering free and low-cost classes, and counseling and helped launch 18 new business. In all, the projects raised more than $2.2 million in capital and created or retained 129 jobs.
For more information and a list of classes contact Charles Alexander at Charles.alexander@volstate.edu or call 615-230-4780.
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