Turning a New Leaf

Montgomery County Community Action Development Commission

Saundra Robinson

In May of 2005, Saundra Robinson was looking for an apartment but could not afford the required security deposit and first month's rent. A real estate agent referred her to the Montgomery County Community Action Development Commission (CADCOM), knowing of their rental assistance program. Unfortunately the program had no funding at that time and Saundra was told call back at a later date. This became the first evidence of Saundra's tenacity and determination to the CADCOM staff. Saundra called everyday for two weeks. In a short time, she was moving into a three bedroom home with her two children. She was thankful to settle down into a new apartment, in a safe location with her children.

The staff of CADCOM then had their second encounter with Saundra's strong will. They began to learn of her past; a life that had brought untold hardships and seemingly insurmountable barriers upon Saundra. She was the daughter of a prostitute and had been trained by her mother to engage in the destructive lifestyle for almost 20 years. Saundra found it difficult to leave the life of prostitution, as it made her quite wealthy. But, one day she finally had enough and chose to leave prostitution, and all her money, behind.

While getting rental assistance from CADCOM, Saundra learned of other services the Community Action Agency offered, including their Microenterprise Development Program. Saundra had written a book about her former life called From Prostitution to Purity (March 2004). Though she published the book through Borders, Saundra desired to create her own publishing company, Da Bride of Christ Publications. After meeting with Tiffany King, Director of the Micro-Enterprise Resource Center (MERC) at CADCOM, in the fall of 2005, Saundra began developing a business plan and joined the "Be Your Own Boss" class. She moved toward her business dreams by registering her business name, obtaining a business license and holding special events for her business. Saundra participated in CADCOM's Volunteer Return Preparation Program, a tax preparation service. The return that Saundra received in Earned Income Tax Credit was put back into her business.   

After spending more and more time at CADCOM, Saundra began to utilize a variety of CADCOM's services. She enrolled in the Family Savings Accounts program and purchased food through the SHARE Program when money was extra tight. Saundra later said about CADCOM, "From the time I entered the door, I had an encounter on every floor." 

Saundra's business aspirations continued to grow as she decided to pursue another business venture which would flourish. In the past, Saundra had been a licensed nail technician, but had long put away her emery boards. After multiple requests to provide nail services at local events, Saundra realized that she may have found a new business opportunity. She went back to CADCOM to seek advice about starting a mobile nail service business.  

"I was a little concerned that she had SO many business ideas," said Tiffany King. "However, I felt that the potential for mobile nail services was great, so I encouraged her to pursue it."

Saundra approached this new idea with thoughtfulness and caution. She consulted a local nail salon and cosmetology school, working under their supervision. She utilized CADCOM's Resource Room to create business documents and insured her business. Saundra offered her services at community social events, church bazaars and flea markets, but she realized that her greatest chance for profitability was to pursue contractual arrangements with other business. She began approaching hotels and senior citizen centers, to offer nail services to their clients. Saundra's big break came the day she walked into a Sheraton Hotel who was in the market to contract new businesses for a variety of services. "Looks like you're just in time," said the hotel manager. Saundra presented the hotel with a business proposal for Nails So Divine Mobile Nail Services. The hotel liked what they saw and Saundra had secured her first major business contract.  

Montgomery County Community Action Development Commission (CADCOM) supports low income individuals within Montgomery County, providing them with the training and assistance they need to become self-sufficient.