The Roanoker - January/February 2015 - 78

American Biosystems currently has three full-time
employees. Goyette hopes to hire a couple more in the
coming months. "We do well," Goyette answers when
asked about profitability.
Biotechnology is a competitive field, he admits. To
combat that, American Biosystems' strategy has been
to sell in "places where other people didn't want to go,"
he explains.
"Places that aren't necessarily the biggest market, but
we have a chance to gain business there," he says. "We
have our little niches."

4DD STUDIOS: 8 LIFE-SIZE RHINOCEROSES
(MAYBE)
Location: Roanoke City, Shenandoah Avenue
Product: sculptures, signs, exhibits
Clinton Hatcher claims to have the coolest small business
in all of Roanoke.
Hatcher's 4DD Studios creates custom three-dimensional sculptures ranging from a 40-foot-tall bowling pin
to giant replicas of the Congressional Medal of Honor
displayed at the Pentagon.
"People have an idea," Hatcher explains. "They don't
have the means or expertise to produce it. That's where
we come in. We help make it a reality."
As cool as he considers his business, Hatcher isn't
particularly eager for attention. You won't find a sign
outside his Shenandoah Avenue Northwest studio. He

WHERE THE JOBS ARE
For 2015, the Virginia Employment Commission, Roanoke Regional Partnership, and
Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce all
agree that the Roanoke Valley is and will continue to be rich with work opportunities in
varied sectors. Mirroring the state and nation,
valley employment is on the rise with growth
projected to continue, according to data from
the Virginia Tech Office of Economic Develop-

78 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015

At TechLab (above left),
the company newsletter
is called Diarrhea Digest.
At American Biosystems
(above right), the focus is
on animal-feed additives
and microorganisms for
waste treatment. At 4DD
Studios (above), part of
the business is restoration,
such as the work here on a
Richmond historic fountain.

only reluctantly gave this interview. "We're
low profile," he says. Over and over again,
he says it.
Hatcher speaks excitedly about a custom
piece made by 4DD Studios, only to then
hedge.
"I probably can't talk about that," he says.
And so, we can only say the Showtime
series "Homeland" may or may not have
relied upon Hatcher and his team for a few
large props when filming in Charlotte, N.C.
Bud Light staged an exorbitant marketing stunt in
September reportedly shelling out $500,000 to rent the
town of Crested Butte, Colo. for a giant weekend party.
4DD Studios may or may not have crafted eight life-size
rhinoceroses as well as a brilliant blue Brontosaurus - all
of which may have eventually ended up being "ridden"
by tipsy party goers - for the event.
4DD Studios takes on less showy projects too. The
company produces three-dimensional signs and builds
pieces for companies, like, say, a 12-foot replica of a loafer.
"A lot of it is trade show stuff," Hatcher explains.
"You've got companies investing in something to get

ment. Valley unemployment, like the state
and national rates, has fallen since 2010 and
currently sits at 5.5% slightly above Virginia's
rate of 5.2%.
Among the region's largest employers are
Roanoke Memorial Community Hospital, Roanoke City and County School Boards, Carilion
Health System, LewisGale Medical Center, The
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Kroger
and Walmart.
The Virginia Tech Office of Economic De-

velopment projects the 10 fastest growing
industries over the next 10 years:
1. General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
(Private)
2. Elementary and Secondary Schools (Local Government)
3. Home Health Care Services
4. Services for the Elderly and Persons with
Disabilities
5. Full-Service Restaurants
6. Nursing Care Facilities
THE

R OANOKER.COM

The Roanoker - January/February 2015

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Roanoker - January/February 2015