America’s SBDC Blog

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Brewing Connection and Community at Java Moon

October 1, 2025

When Megan Cook acquired Java Moon in December 2021, her intention was to preserve the cherished legacy of the historic business in downtown Sheridan, while infusing it with a dynamic energy to propel it forward. For years, Megan had dreamed of owning a business downtown with a communal ambience. “I wanted to create a welcoming vibe where people can come to gather, to meet with friends and enjoy great food,” she explains. The menu at Java Moon ranges from made-from-scratch pastries to hearty lunch options and bespoke catering.

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Future Business Leaders Start Here! Penn Hills Charter School Partners with Duquesne SBDC

June 28, 2024

The Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship provides a hands-on, engaging program designed to bring entrepreneurial and economic concepts alive for students. The lessons related to the Pennsylvania Core Curriculum of English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies incorporate the basic economic and entrepreneurial concepts for the students. These are the future leaders of small business in the community who start learning Entrepreneurship in Kindergarten!

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Growing the Business and Training the Clients at the Same Time

August 1, 2023

Paw & Order Dog Training was established in 2013 in Pittsburgh by Elissa Weimer-Sentner. She served as a Combat Military Police Officer from 2007 to 2014. After graduating at the top of her class from California University of Pennsylvania, Elissa completed a highly selective Professional Dog Training Program as an outstanding graduate in 2012 and began her career as a professional dog trainer. In 2014, Steve Sentner hired Elissa to train his Shiba Inu, who was showing signs of aggression as a 6-month-old puppy. He would turn out to be more than just a client; the two started dating after their training was completed and they got married in 2015. In 2016, Elissa chose to change her business name to Paw & Order, at which time, Steve retired from his corporate career to manage all marketing and business operations.

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