Indiana SBDC helps Matt and Kaycey Klees secure ownership of Kipplee’s

Matt Klees has worked in the restaurant industry for more than 10 years – always dreaming of owning his own place. Most recently, he served as the general manager of Kipplee’s, an Evansville-based pizza restaurant where residents go to grab a slice and hang out in the arcade room. When the owners of Kipplee’s were ready to retire, Matt was interested in purchasing the restaurant but unsure how to move forward.

Matt and his wife, Kaycey, contacted the Indiana Southwest Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in January 2019. The Klees family worked with Southwest Indiana SBDC Business Advisor Doug Claybourn to set objectives, draft a business plan, which included product descriptions and operational strategies, and evaluate industry trends utilizing a free market report offered by the Indiana SBDC. These industry reports include extensive data that can be extremely beneficial for small business owners. Additionally, Matt and Kaycey, with help from the Southwest Indiana SBDC, created financial projections and a cash flow spreadsheet that estimated revenue and expenses for Kipplee’s upcoming fiscal year.

With a business plan, industry research and financial projections, Matt and Kaycey secured financing to buy Kipplee’s in July 2019. The purchase didn’t end their partnership with the Southwest Indiana SBDC. Matt and Kaycey are now working with business advisor Julie Folz on marketing strategies, and continue to check in with Doug to evaluate Kipplee’s finances.

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