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Super King Foods: A Family Legacy, Modernized in Stockton with NorCal SBDC and AWS

November 4, 2026

Keeping a Family Legacy Alive

For more than 30 years, Super King Foods has been the neighborhood grocery store for families across Stockton, California. When the founder retired, his children faced a choice: They could let the business go, or they could leave their corporate careers and keep it running for the community that depended on it.

They came home.

What they found behind the counter surprised them. The stores carried more than 15,000 products, and every invoice was still tracked by hand. The business their parents built still ran on paper.

The family brought the challenge to Les Fong, director of the San Joaquin SBDC, part of the Norcal SBDC Network. He connected them with AWS funding programs and AWS partner Minfy Technologies. Today, Super King Foods is modernizing its operations and using AI to take the manual work off its team’s plate.

The family never lost sight of the people who built the business with them. To celebrate its anniversary, the company gave each employee $100 for every year of service; its longest-tenured employee has been with them for 37 years.

Now they are thinking bigger. Super King Foods is preparing to sell nationwide through the Amazon Store and plans to open its third location in December 2026.

Northern California Small Businesses Show What AI Can Do

Super King Foods is one of many small businesses ready to put AI to work. In July, more than 50 of them applied to pitch their AI ideas at a competition hosted by Norcal SBDC in Cupertino, California. More than 160 people came to watch.

Each owner had to name a real problem in their business and show how AI could solve it. Every presenter walked away with a certificate and a direct line to advisors and AWS partners who can help them build it.

Cupertino Mayor Kitty Moore spoke to the crowd about how the city itself uses AI to work more efficiently. Her message to the entrepreneurs was a practical one. The tools they were pitching are already making a difference in their own community.

Where It All Starts

Both stories began the same way: a business owner talking with an SBDC advisor they already trusted. The advisor knew the business. The connection to AWS, its funding programs, and its partners supplied the technical help to move from idea to results.

That model is spreading. SBDC networks in North Texas, Connecticut, Nebraska, Kansas, Maryland, North Carolina, and beyond are now exploring AI workshops, pitch competitions, and training for the businesses they serve.

Ready to explore what AI could do for your business? Find your local SBDC.

SBDC Clients Dominate the SBA’s Million Dollar Pitch Competition

October 28, 2026

The U.S. Small Business Administration recently hosted its historic Million Dollar Pitch Competition—also known as the Patriot Pitch Competition—bringing together the most innovative and resilient small businesses from across the country. As part of the national Freedom 250 celebrations, a total prize pool of $1 million funded by Clover Network, Inc. was awarded to five exceptional companies.

We are incredibly proud to announce that the SBDC network left a massive footprint on the national stage. Nearly all of the top five finalists are long-term clients of America’s Small Business Development Centers, demonstrating how local mentorship and technical assistance translate directly into hyper-scale growth and national recognition.

Here is a closer look at the SBDC-assisted businesses that captured the attention of the judges—including Nicki Minaj, Grant Cardone, and Joe Gebbia—and walked away with life-changing funding.

The SBDC Success Stories

🏆 Grand Prize Winner ($400,000)

Plas-Tech Tooling, Inc – Garner, Iowa

Long before Plas-Tech Tooling became a premier manufacturing entity in Iowa, founders Dean and Marcia Sonquist were entrepreneurs looking for a solid blueprint. They turned to the North Iowa Area SBDC, working closely with advisor Brook Boehmler. The SBDC helped them draft the initial, rock-solid business plan that successfully secured their very first bank loans. Decades later, that foundation powered them all the way to the top spot in the country, earning them the $400,000 grand prize from SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler.

🥈 2nd Place ($250,000)

Winton Machine Company – Suwanee, Georgia

Lisa and George Winton have built Winton Machine Company into a manufacturing powerhouse, but their scaling journey was supercharged by the University of Georgia SBDC. When the company wanted to expand globally, SBDC advisors guided them through the complex regulatory and contractual waters of their very first international trade contract with South Korea. Additionally, the Wintons utilized the SBDC’s specialized executive training programs like GrowSmart™ to continually refine their operations.

🎖️ 4th Place ($125,000)

VetPowered LLC – San Diego, California

For VetPowered, a veteran-owned advanced manufacturing firm, the San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network has been what founder Hernán Luis y Prado explicitly calls a “battle-tested partner.” VetPowered utilized intensive 1-on-1 SBDC counseling to navigate the complex pathways of securing crucial SBA 504 and 7(a) loans. The SBDC also provided the critical legal and operational guidance needed to secure their 8(a) federal contracting certification, positioning them to win massive government projects.

🎖️ 5th Place ($75,000)

Compotech, Inc. – Brewer, Maine

Compotech, a defense manufacturer specialized in blast protection and composite materials, has long been recognized for its local economic impact. Their path to the national stage was paved by local advocacy; they were officially nominated for their regional SBA accolades by Jennifer Boutin, an advisor from the Maine SBDC network. Their $75,000 win highlights the deep, ongoing relationships between local SBDC advisors and the high-growth tech sectors they support.

Your Small Business is Next

The sweeping success of these companies at the Million Dollar Pitch Competition is proof that you don’t have to navigate the entrepreneurial journey alone. Whether you are drafting a business plan like Plas-Tech Tooling once did, expanding globally like Winton Machine, or seeking federal certifications like VetPowered, your local SBDC provides the nocost consulting and low-cost training required to win.

The special broadcast event, hosted by Dean Cain, is currently available to stream on YouTube and Prime Video. Watch our incredible clients shine, and then take the next step for your own business.

Ready to write your own success story? Find your local SBDC advisors and resources today!

From Roadside Oasis to Retail Shelves: Stephanie Stuckey Brings Her Family’s Brand Home

October 21, 2026

With support from the UGA Small Business Development Center, Stephanie Stuckey is rebuilding the nearly 90-year-old brand her grandfather founded.

The Original American Road Trip Stop

For generations of American families, a Stuckey’s sign on the highway meant it was time to pull over. Founded in 1937 by W.S. Stuckey Sr., Stuckey’s was the first roadside retail chain in the country, a highway oasis offering a hot meal, a tank of gas, clean restrooms and a shelf full of kitschy souvenirs.

At its peak in the 1970s, the company operated over 350 stores in 40 states. It ran its own candy plant, distribution facility and trucking fleet, along with a billboard company that placed 4,000 signs along America’s highways. A road trip was not complete without Stuckey’s signature pecan log roll.

The founder eventually sold the company, and after decades of outside ownership, the brand declined. Stores closed, and many of the iconic buildings were left empty along the roads they once anchored. By the time Stuckey’s came up for sale, only about a dozen original stores remained.

A Call to Come Home

Stephanie Stuckey had built her career in public service. She served for many years as a Georgia state representative, practiced as an environmental lawyer and led sustainability efforts for the City of Atlanta. Then, seven years ago, she received a phone call: The company her grandfather had started was in distress and up for sale.

Stuckey invested her own life savings to bring the family business back. “It has been fun, but it’s been really hard,” she said. “Anyone who runs a small business knows that.”

From Roadside to Retail

With only a handful of stores left, Stuckey knew the brand needed a new way to reach customers. She moved the company into manufacturing and shifted its focus from the roadside to the retail shelf.

“Businesses are all about making changes, and that’s the beauty of being a smaller business,” she said. “You can be a little more nimble.”

Today, Stuckey’s produces flavored pecan snacks and candies and sells directly to retailers ranging from independent mom-and-pop shops to larger chains, with partners such as Food Lion and Bellews Market. Sales have grown from $2 to 8 million. The company works hand-in-hand with Georgia pecan growers and shellers to bring fresh, Georgia-grown products to market. Pecans are the only snack nut native to the United States, and Stuckey proudly calls them “the patriotic nut.”

Stronger Together

Not long after she took the helm, Stuckey received another phone call, this time from Steve Newton, a consultant with the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (UGA SBDC) in DeKalb County. Newton knew her father and had read about her plans for the company.

“He just called me one day and said, ‘Hey, I know your dad. I read about what you’re doing. How can I help?'” Stuckey recalled.

Stuckey is quick to credit the network of people behind the brand’s revival. “We could not do this without the support of SBDC, without our customers, without those retailers that sell our product, without the growers,” she said. “It’s a whole network, and it’s a network of other small businesses.”

That network reaches well beyond a single company. Every bag of Stuckey’s pecans supports Georgia farmers, shellers and the independent retailers who stock them, keeping dollars and jobs in American communities. In the 1970s, Stuckey’s built community one roadside stop at a time. Today, it is rebuilding that community through partnerships.

“The entrepreneurial journey can be very lonely,” Stuckey said. “But you’re not alone.”

Her advice to new business owners reflects that same spirit:

Build a small, deliberate network of personal advisors who are truly on your side.
Watch your cash flow closely
Treat every hard situation as a chance to learn something.

Looking Ahead: Celebrating 90 Years of Stuckey's

As Stuckey’s approaches its 90th anniversary in 2027, the company is positioning itself for its next chapter. Stuckey’s is moving its manufacturing to a facility operated through a joint venture partnership, a change that will reduce overhead and strengthen the business for long-term growth.

Technology is part of that plan. Stuckey already uses AI for production planning and is exploring how it can streamline inventory management next. “If you’re not using AI, you’re way behind the curve,” she said.

From its first roadside stop in 1937 to today’s store shelves, Stuckey’s has always been part of the American story. With a committed entrepreneur at the wheel and the right advisors in her corner, that story is far from over.

Turning the Page: Main Street Books Begins a New Chapter with North Dakota SBDC Support

August 12, 2026

For nearly 20 years, Main Street Books has been integral to the heart of downtown Minot, North Dakota.

In June 2025, longtime manager Lindsey Bertsch began thinking seriously about what it would take to carry that legacy forward. After 14 years working at Main Street Books, she knew the business from the inside out. She understood inventory cycles and customer preferences. More importantly, she understood what the store meant to the community.

Bertsch describes Main Street Books as more than just a bookstore, viewing It as a community hub, gathering space, music venue, and so much more.

Preparing for the Transition

Encouraged by local contacts, she reached out to the ND SBDC Minot office. Working one-on-one with Center Director Alan Gohary, Bertsch focused on turning her experience and vision into a formal business strategy.

Together, they developed a comprehensive business plan that outlined her goals and demonstrated the store’s viability under her leadership. Detailed market projections and cash flow forecasts provided the financial clarity needed to move forward. The process helped her shift from having an idea to presenting herself as a prepared, credible buyer.

That preparation proved critical. Using the business plan and financial projections developed with the ND SBDC, Bertsch secured a loan from Town and Country Credit Union, along with private funding to complete the acquisition. On November 1, 2025, she officially became the owner of Main Street Books.

"Getting help on a business plan from the SBDC was integral to securing funding to purchase and grow the bookstore."

Lindsey Bertsch, Owner, Main Street Books Tweet

Her path from long-time employee to owner reflects both her commitment and strategic approach. Years of hands-on experience gave her insight. Structured planning gave her confidence. As a young woman business owner, she is also part of a growing generation of entrepreneurs shaping North Dakota’s small business landscape.

Working with the ND SBDC made the idea a reality, and having a sound plan is important to any new venture.

Shaping the Next Chapter

Today, Main Street Books continues to grow while staying true to its culture and mission. With strong support from the Minot community, Bertsch is expanding the store’s offerings. Plans are underway to launch a deli and café, creating even more space for conversation, collaboration, and connection.

For Bertsch, ownership is both a responsibility and an opportunity. What began as a job years ago has become a long-term investment in the place she helped build. Now, she is not only preserving a downtown institution but also shaping its future.

Iowa SBDC Client Advances as SBA Patriot Pitch Competition Semifinalist

July 29, 2026

Plas-Tech Tooling of Garner represents Iowa among the nation's top 10 small businesses

America’s SBDC Iowa is proud to recognize Plas-Tech Tooling of Garner, Iowa, for being named one of 10 semifinalists in the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Patriot Pitch Competition.

Featuring a $1 million cash prize pool funded by Clover Network, Inc. (Clover), the national competition highlights eligible small businesses whose innovation, leadership, and growth reflect the promise of the American Dream. Out of 1,182 small businesses that submitted applications from every state across the nation, Plas-Tech Tooling advanced through district and regional judging to earn a place among the competition’s 10 semifinalists.

“The Patriot Pitch Competition is a celebration of 250 years of American free enterprise and the entrepreneurs carrying forward that legacy for our next 250 years,” said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. “Out of 1,182 small businesses that submitted pitches from every state across the nation, these 10 semifinalists emerged from a highly competitive process by demonstrating the ingenuity and willingness to take risks that drive economic and job growth and define American enterprise at its best. Their outsized impact reflects not only the contribution small businesses make across the country today, but also the role they are playing in driving America’s next era of growth and opportunity. We are excited to see them advance and compete for a place in the live finale in Washington this September.”

Founded by Dean and Marcia Sonquist in 1993, Plas-Tech Tooling began as a one-person operation working out of the founders’ garage, specializing in injection mold building and repair for manufacturers in the Garner area. Over the years, Plas-Tech has expanded to more than 40,000 square feet of manufacturing space on 15 acres and employs over 50 people.

Plas-Tech Tooling is a technology-driven advanced manufacturing company specializing in precision machining, injection mold design, mold building, and plastic injection molding. By combining innovative engineering, advanced CAD/CAM systems, rapid prototyping, and state-of-the-art manufacturing processes, they design, build, and produce high-quality custom plastic components and tooling solutions that help drive American industry forward. In addition, Plas-Tech Tooling provides production machining of plastic and metal components, guiding customers through the product design process, developing rapid prototypes, and utilizing advanced CAD/CAM and SOLIDWORKS technologies. Their quality assurance and reverse engineering programs are further enhanced through the use of the Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM).

Beginning in 1995, America’s SBDC Iowa has been proud to walk alongside Plas-Tech and the Sonquist family, to provide individualized business counseling, as they have grown and scaled this critical business into successful pillar of their community. The efforts of America’s SBDC Iowa helped Plas-Tech secure additional capital, increase revenues, and create new jobs.

America’s SBDC Iowa congratulates Plas-Tech Tooling on this national recognition and wishes the company continued success as it advances in the Patriot Pitch Competition.

For more information on America’s SBDC Iowa programs or services, call (515) 294-2030 or visit, https://www.facebook.com/AmericasSBDCIowa, or https://www.instagram.com/iowasbdc/.

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