Case Name :      Sawchyn Guitars: Can an Old Business Learn New Tricks?

Authors :           Meredith Woodwark, Matthew Wong

Source :             Ivey Publishing

Case ID :            W13355

Discipline :        General Management

Case Length :    13 pages

Solution Sample availability : YES

Plagiarism : NO (100% Original work)

The owner of Sawchyn Guitars makes fine handmade acoustic guitars and mandolins. After 40 years of operating from a two-storey backyard garage, he contemplates a shift from a solely custom-order business to a storefront location. Although his custom-order business is still strong, the owner sees the opportunity to realize his dream of providing a full-service musical instrument haven for the local music community through a proper storefront. After opening a new retail location, public reception to the new store is overwhelmingly positive, but the success in new business lines restricts the capacity to build new instruments. Despite the enthusiastic response to the store, the business is experiencing unanticipated growing pains related to managing small-business growth.