Small Business Center recognizes new business and business advocate

Melissa Darr, owner of Generational Transitions, helps sort and organize household items for clients who are downsizing before the movers arrive. {Contributed photo}

A new business geared to helping seniors and a small business advocate who aims to help restaurants were recently honored by the Davidson-Davie Community College Small Business Center at an annual small business awards program held in conjunction with the three area chambers of commerce.

Martha Larson, SBC director, presented an Emerging Entrepreneur Award to Melissa Darr, owner of Lexington-based Generational Transitions personal services business.

She also presented a Small Business Advocate Award to Algenon Cash, director of the Winston-Salem Urban League’s Triad Food and Beverage Coalition.

Larson said Darr offers a moving service growing in demand as seniors downsize and relocate to smaller homes, retirement communities and assisted living facilities. “It’s a need everywhere,” Larson noted.

Through the SBC, Darr participated in two eight-week Launch programs designed to get new businesses off the ground as well as pandemic-funded specialized counseling in marketing.

Darr started her business in February 2020 but it soon came to a near halt mid-March of last year when the stay-at-home orders caused her to pivot from an in-home downsizing and organizational business to errand running for local residents. She offered to safely run errands for clients such as buying and delivering groceries, pick up medications as well as go to the bank and post office. Darr still offers the errand-running service for those who prefer not to go out in public or have mobility and/or transportation issues.

Darr used that downtime to take the SBC classes, which she said have been helpful as she began returning to the main focus of her service in April as restrictions lifted.

Previously a chef in the food service industry for 25 years, Darr saw the need for such a business in her own family. “I’m an only child so I knew there were others out there like me who needed help downsizing for their parents and grandparents,” she said.

While she doesn’t offer the actual moving service, she helps seniors sort and pack what they want to take with them and can drop off donations of items they no longer need.

For seniors wanting to stay in their residences, Darr can declutter and reorganize so as to make it safer for those who use walkers and canes as well as organize cabinets and lower items for better accessibility. “I can clean out closets and kitchens and better organize pantries, refrigerators and freezers.”

While there are franchises that offer similar downsizing services, Darr said she wanted to operate her own business. “I want it to be very individualized and tailored to what the client needs.” She charges an hourly fee for her services.

While her focus is on seniors who are downsizing and relocating, she also has helped people who are moving to this area from elsewhere and has helped reorganize second homes for clients. She even has a couple of clients who are new mothers who needed help with organizing nurseries and kitchens.

Darr is a member of the Davidson County chapter of Healthcare Industry Professionals Serving Seniors and National Association of Senior Move Managers. A member of the Lexington and North Davidson chambers of commerce, she is listed on FindMyOrganizer.com. Her website is generationaltransitionsnc.com.

Larson said Cash, a Winston-Salem resident and restaurateur himself, has been a longtime advocate for small business, especially restaurants. Through his podcast and social media posts, such as his “Eat Drink Triad Show,” he has promoted a number of eateries in Lexington, including Sophie’s Cork and Ale, Lou Lou’s Seafood, Red Donut and the Pour Folk Pizza food truck at Goose and the Monkey Brewhouse.

 But in addition to promotions, Larson said Cash has also helped many restaurateurs with federal and state grant applications, such as the Small Business Administration Restart Revitalization Fund.