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> ***Success Story***

**PRESS OFFICE**                                               

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**Release Date:**  May 5, 2006  **Contact:** Susan Baxter (205) 290-7101
ext 230

**Release Number:** PR AL 06-17 **Internet Address:**
<http://www.sba.gov/al/>

**A Southern Affair Leads to Southern Temptations**

*Southern Temptations*

*Ramona Laird*

**Birmingham, AL** - In 2000, Ramona Laird decided to open a small
catering service from her home, A Southern Affair LLC. Business began to
flourish, so Ramona worked with the Small Business Development Center at
Troy University on developing a business plan. She attended training
courses and one-to-one counseling sessions.

In June 2004, Ramona decided she needed to expand, so she opened
Southern Temptations restaurant. It is truly a family affair because
Ramona says that she couldn't have done it without a ton of help from
husband, Bob and daughter, Shea.

By design, Southern Temptations is not your typical restaurant
experience. It is a reservation only, fine dining establishment serving
high teas, lunch and (on special occasions) dinner. They also cater
weddings and special events. They offer over 50 loose-leaf teas as well
as an ever changing, but always authentic, southern tea menu. A recent
lunch serving included chicken popovers, fried okra salad in a bed of
butter lettuce with their red wine Dijon dressing, and fresh baked
scones and muffins with almond chantilly cream.

Other than their diverse tea selections, their specialty is handmade
dessert selections ranging from strawberry blush to meringue swans to
handmade candies. For special occasions, they serve puff pastry
creations made to scale (for example, horse and carriage pastry
reflecting those used by the bride and groom).

You won't find Southern Temptations by accident. They are located in
eastern Houston County, Alabama, approximately eight miles from the Ross
Clark Circle in Dothan. They are eight miles from the Georgia state line
and eighteen miles from the Florida state line. Surrounded by tall slim
oak trees, their setting is a rural one that takes visitors back to a
slower pace and place in time.

Southern Temptations is a 5,000 square foot tea cottage that Ramona
designed. It was built in part by Ramona's husband, Bob. The grounds are
carefully manicured and the building is traditionally southern with a
big white friendly front porch. There are four tearooms, a gift shop, an
upstairs conference room, and a beautiful garden and gazebo area with
porcelain antique furniture, tapestry covered tables, and beautiful
Royal Albert china.

"We like to think of ourselves as a little fancy and a lot of fun," says
Ramona. Upon entry, she will invite guests to select from a large hat
collection in order to truly complete the traditional southern tea
atmosphere.

In essence, Southern Temptations is special because it is truly unique.
There is nothing like it in the area and few like it anywhere. Their
offerings are delicious and distinct. The atmosphere is authentic, yet
still unusual. The location is off the beaten path and their personable
family is the essence of Southern Temptations.

Somewhat surprisingly, their customers are diverse. They are homemakers,
teachers, lawyers, doctors, businessmen, retirees, authors, and
travelers. They also hold events for businesses, civic groups, and
special family occasions. Many of their customers are just looking to do
something different and have found Southern Temptations a welcome
respite from the run-of-the-mill, chain restaurant dining experience.
While the vast majority of their customers come from the surrounding
areas, they also draw a number of visitors from all over the country.

The Southern Temptations staff is small in size, but big in heart. In
addition to Ramona, they have several hard-working employees who do a
little bit of everything. Each employee helps with setting tables,
preparing foods, setting up lunch and tea trays, serving, cleaning, and
dish washing. Ramona does most of the cooking and, as she says it, "a
little too much of everything else." Bob is a helicopter flight
instructor and Vietnam veteran who works two jobs, yet manages to help
prepare foods and keep the grounds.

Ramona spent four years gathering research for the project. She attended
the ten-week NxLeveL Business Planning Series offered through the Small
Business Development Center at Troy University. The business planning
series was made possible through a Defense Economic Transition
Assistance grant provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Ramona stated, "From the knowledge I gained from this course I was able
to write my business plan. I believe everyone who is thinking about
starting a business should attend this course. I was taught how to
obtain the information needed to successfully run Southern Temptations.
The instructors were knowledgeable in what I needed to know and our
guest speakers were very informative. I would never have been able to
complete my business plan without the NxLeveL course." After completing
the course, Ramona obtained an SBA loan through a local bank, began
Southern Temptations and the rest is history.

Ramona has faced her share of problems over the last few years just as
all new business owners do; however, she has come through it all with
flying colors. "Looking back at the last two years, I have learned a lot
about owning and operating a business of this nature. I am looking
forward to the future as Southern Temptations continues to grow and
reach its fullest potential," says Ramona.

*\# \# \#*

*For more information about all of the SBA's programs for small
businesses, visit the SBA's extensive Web site at
[www.sba.gov](http://www.sba.gov/).*