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Wings Unlimited, Inc.

Wings Unlimited, Inc., Ann Gilmartin

Location: Darien, Connecticut
Formed in: 1986
wingsunlimited.net
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My successes.

Ann’s business was off and running, providing meetings, team-building, incentives and logistics planning for Fortune 100 companies. 

In the mid-‘90s, as Ann’s company continued to grow and two of her daughters became involved, she talked to SCORE about expanding the business. Eventually, she moved her business into outside office space to accommodate her growing needs. Ann continued to work with SCORE at different stages of her business growth, including attending various workshops.

The business continues to grow in both awareness and revenue, more than doubling its staff and office space in the past three years.

What inspired you to start your business?

In the start-up phase of Wings Unlimited, Inc., more than 20 years ago, Ann Gilmartin attended a SCORE workshop on how to start your own business. She was so impressed with the quality of assistance being offered that she began working with several mentors at the local SCORE chapter on her own corporate meeting and incentive planning company.

How SCORE helped.

Tara credits SCORE for helping her family’s business succeed. “The professional support from SCORE has been of great value as our business grows and evolves,” she says. “SCORE has never let us down.”

“The ability to get the right people, at the right time, has been phenomenal,” she adds. “The excitement and encouragement our mentors have shown for our business has been wonderful.”

What's great about my mentor?

The SCORE mentors provided a wide range of advice, covering legal, financial, accounting and insurance issues. Over the years, Ann continued to meet with SCORE mentors at their chapter as well as at her then-home-based business. As computers became more complex, she consulted with SCORE about her technology needs.

After her bookkeeper of 15 years retired, Ann’s daughter, Tara, took over the financials. Tara began working with SCORE mentors Bill Hall and Ken Futter on the transition. “Ken is involved with a family business himself,” Tara says, “and he has helped me to handle issues in this area.” Bill and Ken meet with Tara and Ann quarterly to talk about marketing and financial management. The business continues to grow in both awareness and revenue, more than doubling its staff and office space in the past three years.

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712 H St NE PMB 98848
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Washington, DC 20002
(203) 831-0065

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Funded, in part, through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.

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