Tennessee Entrepreneur Darron Robinson ran Sprick’s Cabinets & Carpentry Solutions from his home in Brighton, 30 miles north of Memphis. He started the business in 2021, with his wife Chalonda as co-owner and administrator.

Sprick’s Cabinets and Carpentry Solutions creates high-end custom cabinetry and millwork for clients in West Tennessee, East Arkansas, and Northern Mississippi. With over 35 years of experience in geometry and drafting, Darron Robinson specializes in unique angled and curved designs.

His services include residential and commercial projects like kitchens, bathroom vanities, walk-in closets, libraries, offices, wainscoting, moldings, pergolas, gazebos, and decks. Sprick’s handles both fabrication and installation.

However, due to growing customer demand, working from home is no longer sustainable for Robinson’s business or personal life. With limited space, he often had to turn away customers.

As a result, Robinson sought to buy a new workshop, along with equipment and renovations. The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Memphis referred him to Communities Unlimited (CU).

Robinson worked with CU’s Lending Team and Small Business Lender Candence Brooks to obtain a small business loan. Due to challenges with loan information, Brooks teamed up with the Entrepreneurship Team and referred Robinson to Area Director Marnell Love.

One of Robinson’s biggest challenges, like many small business owners, was that his documentation and financial records for Sprick’s Cabinets & Carpentry Solutions did not follow General Accepted Accounting Practices (GAAP) or Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS).

Robinson needed to create a loan package with the right documentation for approval. Love helped him by setting up a bookkeeping system, creating financial statements, developing a business plan with financial projections, and providing capital readiness and loan packaging services.

The effort to improve Robinson’s business paid off on April 17, 2024. His Small Business Administration (SBA) loan was approved, allowing him the opportunity to invest in a state-of-the-art workshop and elevate Sprick’s Cabinets & Carpentry Solutions.

Sprick’s is an authorized installer with Cabinets To Go, making up over 25% of its revenue. They plan to pursue government contracts in the future. The new building will let Robinson expand operations, take on more contracts, and hire employees.

“I want to thank, Marnell, Candence, and Communities Unlimited in advance for all your hard work, patience, and tolerance with me,” Robinson said. “I also want to thank you in advance for your faith in me, my skills, my family, and my business. People such as yourselves remind me that God indeed loves and protects me. I’m inspired to work even harder because, for the first time, I believe that another business entity wants to see me succeed.”

Brooks said working with Robinson reaffirmed CU’s mission. Robinson initially had doubts about their ability to help his business. She assured him that if he put in the effort, they would do everything possible to support him.

Love added that Robinson was dedicated to doing the necessary work and training to secure the loan, allowing his business to get the funds needed for expansion.

“The outcome for Mr. Robinson was based on his dedication and willingness to let CU do its work,” Love said. “The strategic blending of the Lending Team and Entrepreneurship Team’s joint engagement made our client’s dream possible.”