America’s SBDC Blog

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Lighting the Way for Firefighters

October 19, 2015
Lighting-the-way-for-firefightersSuccess Story: Pennsylvania

“We could not have been successful without the SBDC’s support, business connections, and excellent service” – Steve Brion, Owner and CEO of Light Shield Products LLC

Impact of working with the Pennsylvania SBDC: Steve credits the SBDCs’ assistance directly in helping Light Shield to obtain the investments necessary to turn his idea into a reality. Sales of the new Level Light product began with its launch in May, 2013, and new jobs have been created in sales, marketing and accounting. (more…)

New South Carolina Residents Cook Up Fresh Business in Rock Hill

October 7, 2015
The-Yolk-Cafe-South-CarolinaSuccess Story: South Carolina
  • Rock Hill Area SBDC, South Carolina SBDC network
  • SBDC Consultants: Larry Stephens and Carol Daly
  • Clients: Greg and Sabrina Collier, The Yolk Café – SBDC clients since 2013

“The Rock Hill Area SBDC was, and still is, one of the most essential components of the success of our restaurant.” Greg Collier, Chef and Owner, The Yolk Café, Rock Hill, SC

Impact of working with the South Carolina SBDC: General guidance and marketing. “Carol and Larry provided us with marketing tips particularly with our website and the social media we already had going. They also helped us find an accountant,” Collier said. One of the things that he found most helpful was the encouragement to take small steps and make small investments that can help their business grow over time. “Larry helped us to stay grounded, as well as motivated,” Collier recalled.

Read the whole story, and learn more about the South Carolina SBDC and The Yolk Café.

Snowboarding Innovation

September 30, 2015
gilson-boards-PASuccess Story: Pennsylvania

“The Bucknell SBDC has been an invaluable resource. The folks there have rallied behind our effort, welcoming us to the community and guiding us with sound advice.” – Nick Gilson, Founder/CEO

Impact of working with the Pennsylvania SBDC: Excited to get their boards on the market, the Gilson Boards team came to the Bucknell University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) where they received guidance in business planning and capital formation. Building on that relationship, Gilson Boards tapped into the center’s Engineering Development Services, where they collaborated with students and faculty from Bucknell’s College of Engineering in research and product development. (more…)

Doing Things the Right Way – Air Force Veterans Build a Business

September 25, 2015
Montana - Electric City CoffeeSuccess Story: Montana

“The one thing that came out of our work with the Great Falls SBDC was our logo branding. We never even considered branding. Now, we’re renting cars and buying billboards with a simple, highly recognizable indication of who we are.” – Thad Reiste, co-owner of Electric City Coffee

After retiring from the Air Force, Thad and Heidi chose to return to Great Falls, Montana, go to work for an existing business, learn from the ground up and then buy it. They purchased The Daily Grind (recipes and equipment), relocated it, rebranded and made their shop more than just a coffee shop. They created a food experience. (more…)

Caves and High Tech Normally Don’t Go Together – But They Should

September 21, 2015
Stronghold Data - MO SuccessSuccess Story: Missouri
  • Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) SBTDC, in Joplin, Missouri
  • SBTDC Consultants: Lisa Robinson, Director, and Ken Surbrugg, Consultant, MSSU SBTDC
  • Client: Stronghold Data, L.L.C. – SBDC client since 2006

“… it (the MSSU SBTDC and its services) helped me a lot. I had a little experience from college, before I went into computers, but Ken has been so helpful, educating me as a small business owner to understand the details of statements.” James Richards, CEO, Stronghold Data, L.L.C.

Impact of working with the Missouri Southern State University SBTDC: Stronghold Data CEO James Richards believes the firm will double its current 16 employees and dramatically increase revenue from its current ~$3 million in the next two to three years.

Read the whole story, and learn more about the Missouri SBTDC network and Stronghold Data, L.L.C.