EMP Shield, LLC (empshield.com)
Countdown to the 2020 Client Showcase: #7

SBDC: Kansas SBDC – Emporia State, Washburn University, Wichita Tech Center (kansassbdc.net)
SBDC Advisors: Tom Byler, Dr. Laurie Pieper, and Alan Badgley

Entrepreneur Tim Carty, Founder and Executive Engineer of EMP Shield LLC , is passionate about his work. He is a holder of 21 patents – including 1 on the EMP Shield – and counting. Originally from northeastern Tennessee, the inspiring team-leader, who prides himself on being a “southern gentleman,” is affectionately referred to around the firm as the “hillbilly genius.” His company, EMP Shield, is a success story from Encountering Innovation (a program of the Kansas SBDC) and the upcoming winner of the Emerging Business of the Year Award from Emporia State University SBDC to be awarded in early 2020.

EMP Shield LLC is an engineering design company and manufacturer of the world’s first devices to protect houses, businesses and larger installations from high-altitude electromagnetic pulses, such as those that can be generated by solar coronal mass ejections – exemplified by the Carrington Event of 1859 – as well as from more ordinarily occurring power surges and lightning strikes. To appreciate the significance of this achievement, consider that estimates of damage that would be caused by an event today of similar magnitude to the Carrington Event range in the trillions of dollars. (more…)

Hotel Tango Distillery (hoteltangowhiskey.com | @HotelTangoIndy)
Countdown to the 2020 Client Showcase: #8

SBDC: Central Indiana SBDC (isbdc.org)
SBDC Advisors: David Watkins, Andrew Carty, Morgan Allen

Hotel Tango Distillery is the first combat-disabled, veteran-owned distillery in the nation and the first artisan distillery in Indianapolis since Prohibition. The company’s name was inspired by owner Travis Barnes’ military background, which included three tours in Iraq with the U.S. Marines. After launching, Barnes, along with his wife Hilary, utilized the Indiana SBDC for permitting assistance and market research, and they continue to work with the SBDC as they expand production and distribution.

Located in the historic Fletcher Place neighborhood of downtown Indianapolis, Hotel Tango operates a Tasting Room where customers can sample spirits and enjoy innovative cocktails. The distillery’s spirit line includes Reserve Bourbon, Bourbon, Straight Rye Whiskey, Vodka, Gin, Rum, Lemoncello, Orangecello, Cherry Liqueur, and a small-batch collection known as The Classified Series. Today, Hotel Tango distributes to retailers in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Texas and military bases across the country. (more…)

Sun Buckets, Inc. (sunbuckets.com | @SunBucketsInc)
Countdown to the 2020 Client Showcase: #9

SBDC: Illinois SBDC at Champaign County EDC (cusbdc.org)
SBDC Advisor: Mariel Huasanga

Sun Buckets, Inc. is an energy company with a focus on sustainability. Sun Bucket’s technology provides a game-changing innovation that enables the collection, storage, and use of renewable solar energy. With Sun Buckets, you can cook and dry food and agricultural products without fuel, fire, or emissions. And because Sun Buckets provide portable storage, you can use them when and where you like, including inside and at night. Sun Buckets cook and dry using solar energy, even at night. Sun Buckets, Inc. is tackling head-on the global cooking crisis, which is the 4th largest killer globally.

“Most of our current business is international. Mariel’s help and guidance [at the SBDC] has been invaluable. We started out not very familiar with international trade. With guidance from Mariel, we have negotiated letters of credit, arranged international partnerships, and shipped products around the world.” — Joe Bradley, Co-Founder/Chief Financial Officer (more…)

Inergy Solar (inergytek.com)
Countdown to the 2020 Client Showcase: #10

SBDC: Idaho SBDC – Region V (idahosbdc.org)
SBDC Advisor: Ann Swanson

Inergy began as an idea shared by a few passionate individuals, but that passion soon turned into a brand leading the renewable power revolution. Unlike other clean-tech companies that take a “top-down” approach to renewable power generation via large-scale projects, Inergy aims to democratize solar power with its innovative portable solar consumer products.

“The Inergy management team has interacted with SBDC in several events and meetings. Once we finished the registration and company introduction, the SBDC jumped right in and started helping Inergy with its plans to expand the company and explore options to secure an affordable manufacturing facility.  (more…)

In 2020, America’s SBDC is celebrating 40 years of helping small business development centers (SBDCs) and their entrepreneurial clients all over the country take the leap from BIG idea to small business success. Small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, ready to take the next step with their business, can go to their local SBDCs for free, face-to-face business consulting and at-cost training on writing business plans, accessing capital, marketing, regulatory compliance, cybersecurity, international trade and more. Businesses that partner with America’s SBDCs get started, create jobs, access capital, grow sales and prosper.

The Association will be celebrating its anniversary throughout 2020, with a variety of events that will highlight the year’s theme — “Think BIG. Start Small.” America’s SBDC is excited to announce its anniversary kick-off event will be the Client Showcase and Reception on Tuesday, February 11, 2020, in Washington, D.C. The following clients were selected from a pool of nominees submitted by their state/regional SBDC networks to be featured at the 2020 showcase: (more…)