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Success Story: Wisconsin

Fox Valley Entrepreneur Believes in SBDC “Magic”

Link ComputingWhen unexpected and costly building renovations threatened to delay or possibly end Ray Reinders’ dream of launching his own IT business, he turned to the Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UW Oshkosh. SBDC director, Colleen Merrill, was instrumental in connecting Link Computing with financial resources that supported the start of the business in October 2013.

“A friend of mine said, ‘go to Colleen Merrill. She makes magic happen,’” Reindeers says. “Colleen understood what I was trying to accomplish. She worked up numbers and business concepts, and told us what we should expect. She cut every piece of red tape imaginable. Within a month I had a $90,000 loan to complete the project. I can’t imagine doing all that on my own.”

Once financing was secure, Reinders was able to put his focus on business development. Merrill help him implement processes and procedures that were scalable, efficient, and transferable.  By developing these tools, the company was in a position to grow at a pace they determined, hire additional employees, and feel comfortable knowing a plan was laid out. 

SBDC director Merrill says, “Ray is one of the most determined, talented, and compassionate business owners I have had the pleasure of meeting. His growth is based not only on sound business decisions but also on true passion for what he does.  He continues to outperform his projections and is an asset to the community he supports.”

Link Computing Solutions provides IT service and support to residential and commercial clients in the Fox Valley. His wife, daughter, son and son-in-law work in the family business. Based on the early success of the company, Reinders anticipates hiring additional employees.

“I don’t want to become too big, too fast,” he says. “We know our business model works. My goal is to one day give this business to my kids.”

For more information on this successful IT business, go to www.linkcomputing.com.

Learn more about the Wisconsin SBDC at UW Oshkosh.

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