WELCOME TO PART TIME BUSINESS PARTNERS

Owning a business is really hard. We know, because we’ve been in your shoes.

For more than 20 years, we’ve faced most of the same challenges you’re facing today. Employees’ emotions, cash flow, marketing, bookkeeping, vendor demands and customer expectations are wrapped into one big gift box with the name “OWNER” stamped on it.

We started our company in March, 2000 – just one month before the “dot.com bubble” collapsed. With that collapse, many of our customers lost their desire to spend money for a few weeks. I had 3 employees who were counting on me to keep the business running and I had to adjust our strategies to fit the market. Seven months later, 9/11 happened and we had to adapt to a changing economy … again.

And then . . .

  • The stock market crashed in 2002.
  • Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005.
  • The subprime housing crisis happened in 2007.
  • The housing market collapsed in 2008.
  • And between 2008 and 2009, the stock market and the global economy tanked.

By God’s grace, we learned to take every challenge on its own. Changing procedures to fit the changing times, we never changed our long-term goals. We learned to adapt and kept our composure, never letting our employees see us sweat. Over the years, we maintained around 24 employees and they relied on us as much as we relied on them to get through the ever-changing market situations. In the end, we were among the small businesses left standing in an industry that shrank by nearly 35% nationally…. And we never had to lay a single employee off.

What we learned along the way

  • Developing a plan to market and sell our business and retire
  • Becoming proficient in Quickbooks Desktop and Online
  • Building a team of trusted advisors to help in C suite areas
  • Implementing a platform to handle HR requirements
  • Designing dozens of departmental KPIs
  • Leveraging manufacturer’s help for advertising dollars
  • Building different banking relationships for different needs
  • Implementing leadership programs for managers
  • Implementing multiple scheduling and project management platforms
  • Buying new commercial real estate
  • Designing and constructing a building addition
  • Acquiring and managing a fleet of service and installation vehicles
  • Banking issues like financing inventory and restructuring debt
  • Building and implementing annual and seasonal budgeting
  • Building and managing employee training programs
  • Implementing employee benefits packages

Our Company's Mission

“To share our experience for the benefit of others”.

Every company needs a mission statement. A simple, memorable statement that guides and reminds everyone in the company, everyday, as to what they do and why. Every word matters. After months of contemplation, we found ours to be quite simple:  Our mission is to share our experience for the benefit of others.

MORE ABOUT OUR COMPANY

Our Core Values

HONESTY

Be truthful in every interaction we have.

INSPIRATION

Always be looking for a better way to do things.

CHARACTER

Strive to do the right thing, always.

CONSTANT IMPROVEMENT

Strive for excellence in every task we perform.
Becky Justice
Kentucky T-Shirt Company

“Part Time Business Partners helped us reduce the everyday chaos and put us back in control of our business.”

Chris Ackerson
Owner, XTRAX Dry Carpet Cleaning

Clay has been extremely diligent in working with me and my team to get all of our systems and processes tightened up to prepare for growth. He has a strong ability to take the things we have learned organically over the years and help to build written processes. Additionally, he has helped us get focused…

Jim Childers
United States Stove Company

“PTBP has helped us develop best business practices and processes necessary to take our retail operations to the next level of performance. They have a ‘boots on the ground approach’ and have given us very genuine personal service. They are not satisfied until they know their clients are showing success with what they have developed.…

Tanis Lee
Tanslee

“Clay and his team went above and beyond for us. They put in tremendous effort to help us evaluate, progress, and leverage our efforts and weren’t afraid to use brutal honesty when necessary. They have a very beneficial system utilizing their talents to help give insight and assistance to any business type. I’ve enjoyed working…

Jedd Davis
Cox Concrete

Clay has not only helped our business in incredible ways, he also pushes and encourages me to achieve my goals and improve myself weekly. He and his team have given us insight and direction, and we’re on our way to great things since we teamed up with Part Time Business Partners!

Carter Parham
Parham Landscaping

“Clay and John were so helpful and nurturing in their assistance with my business merger. I appreciate their diligence and hands-on approach to guide us through the process of moving our business in a new direction. I can recommend their services with the highest degree of confidence that you will get the help you are…

Clint Powell
Advertising / Podcaster

“I have known these guys for years. I have watched them build solid and profitable businesses and more importantly – build teams and leaders. If you are wanting to improve your business or as a leader you should definitely give them a call.”

Justin Cox
The Signature Group

“Clay and his team have helped me to see the potential my company currently holds and providing me the coaching necessary to obtain my goals. I can already see growth and it is EXCITING!”

Michael Whitlock
Owner, Blue Potato Media

Part Time Business Partners helped us assess problems and where they were actually coming from in our video production business. Clay did a remarkable job at slowing it down, breaking down the processes, quickbooks and accounting, and showing us the true numbers and costs behind our business we hadn’t been able to see before. After…

Casey Bryant
Mortgage Advisor, Benchmark Home Loans

Clay and his team have helped me tremendously grow my business! The thoughtfulness, advice, and learning from their own failures is so valuable. Clay’s expertise in systems, and mapping out your goals made a huge impact on how I make decisions. Let’s be honest, working “on” your business instead of “in” your business takes a…

Kerry Cofer
Territory Manager Payroll & HR

Their experience, talents and system provide the insight all business owners need. I’ve enjoyed working with them over the many years.

Tammy V. Smith
C&M Disposal

“They helped me realize how important valuing your employees as assets and how important your VISION is. I’ve learned a lot of valuable information and it is well worth the time and effort. Honorable, caring, successful men who really care about you and your success!”

George Linden
Retired Executive

I highly recommend Part Time Business Partners for anyone looking to start a business or grow and existing business.

Toby Manifold
The Dippin' Shop

“In a few short months, I have watched my business become more organized, structured and prepared to move forward.”

Matt Hamilton
Outdoor-Inc.

“Being provided with business coaching from people that actually built businesses for themselves, did a good job and most importantly – made money – is a real blessing. The folks at Part Time Business Partners provide insights that only a business owner could and they have worked as hard at making my business successful as I suspect they did theirs. I’m grateful.”

Joseph Waller
Reify

“The first rule to become a successful entrepreneur is to surround yourself with successful people. You are learning from a diverse group of successful business owners.”

Kim Moore
Office Administrator

Clay and John helped me with a career change and I can honestly say I could have never managed it without their help. They were there every step of the way, not only to get the process completed, but to pick me up when I questioned myself and to give me direction when I thought…

Will Wilkinson
Interactive ID

The team at Part Time Business Partners has consistently provided good advice, given clear insight, and planted the seeds of leadership that have helped our company to grow. I know that every time I call, I’ll get sound business guidance. I use them as a sounding board. In turn, they’ve trusted us with their own…

Jill Christy
Real Estate

“Over the past few months, I’ve gleaned pragmatic approaches to my business and built incentives directly related to productivity. I’ve organized my goals and I’ve refined my vision with clarity and purpose. Without the collaborative work of PTBP, these things would’ve remained in a foggy cloud of mere intentions.”

Ryan Pappas
Owner, Fleet Mobile Services

PTBP has opened my eyes to the realties of being a business owner. For years I have provided a service and then simply waited on payment. PTBP has unveiled to me how much more there is to successfully operating a healthy and prosperous business. I have personally been fascinated and impressed with how they are…

Phil Monroe
Owner, The Appliance Doctor

Here’s the part I like: Gross sales over the same time period last year: Up 48%. Net profit: Up 40%. Profits are up, and my blood pressure is down. I couldn’t recommend them more highly.

Dave Partack
Arborist, Urban Tree

They have been game changers for our business in several ways, team morale, sales and overall production.

Tyler Schievelhud
Lumberjacks Tree Service

“I have owned and operated a tree company in the Chattanooga area for over 7 years. Although we have been blessed with a good crew and a plentiful customer base, I was struggling with helping my business get to the next level. Clay and his team have helped me to build a strong foundation and…

OUR TEAM

Clay Dennis

Clay Dennis

Partner, Retired Business Owner, Certified Advisor, Navy Veteran
John Ballinger

John Ballinger

Partner, Multi-Business Owner, Army Veteran, Experienced Senior Risk Officer
Douglas Ford

Douglas Ford

Associate Partner, Former Chief Marketing Officer, Former Legislative Staff Member
Doug Cox

Doug Cox

Associate Partner, Business Owner, Attorney at Law, Certified Public Adjuster

What will your Act 3 be?

Act 3, or “chapter 3”, is the time in your life when all of the hard work in your business finally pays off and you get to turn the page to retirement or whatever comes next.

For me, chapter 1 was the Navy and the various jobs that led me to my own business. My act 2 was starting a business from the ground up and growing my business and supporting my family. But, In the snap of a finger, 20 years rushed by and the time had come to turn another page in “The Book of Clay”.

 

My Act 3 is how I plan on spending the next 10 to 15 years after selling my business. For me, it was time to share my experiences for the benefit of others, and the idea of Part Time Business Partners was born.

Have you thought about it yet? What will be your Act 3? Where will you be when you finally leave your business? How much money will you have saved? How healthy will your relationships with your spouse and kids be? Will you have grown and sold your business or closed it down? The answers to these questions  and other decisions you make in your act 2 will determine what’s in store for you, so it’s important to have a plan for Act 3 and WORK THAT PLAN. Trust me, you are going to blink and the time will be here. Part Time Business Partners would love to help you develop a plan and get you started in the right direction to where you want to go.

Clay Dennis

Part Time Business Partner
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