Tim Youngs of Youngs Brothers Stick Stringing

Tim Youngs
Youngs Brothers Stick Stringing
Canton SBDC

Tim Youngs has been involved in lacrosse as a player and coach nearly all his life. His love of the sport eventually brought him to a home-based business opportunity in February 1997 stringing sticks for a major lacrosse stick manufacturer. After contracting with Youngs, the company saw a significant increase in sales, which led to a contract with deBeer, one of the nation’s largest lacrosse equipment manufacturers. By the summer of 2007 the business had moved into a large building and employed 13 people. To support the company’s continued growth and anticipated expansion, Youngs sought to purchase the building he was leasing and add to it. The St. Lawrence County IDA referred him to the SBDC for assistance. He worked with SBDC Business Advisor Michelle Collins and developed a funding proposal that resulted in $293,000 in funding: $43,000 in personal equity, a $175,000 commercial loan from NBT Bank and a $75,000 loan from the Greater Massena Economic Development Fund.

“The help the SBDC gave us in putting this loan package together was invaluable,” Youngs said. “Without their assistance this loan request would have been much more difficult. “ The funding enabled the company to retain its 13 employees. In its new larger building, Youngs Brothers Stick Stringing can now accommodate its production capacity as well as pursue new opportunities in the future such as assembly of helmets, goggles, custom gloves, and arm pads.