Creating a High-End Gaming and Technology Center – #SBDC Client Showcase

February 12, 2019

JesterLine (@JesterLineGT)
Countdown to the 2019 Client Showcase: #1

SBDC: West Virginia SBDC – Upshur County EDA Center (wvsbdc.com)
SBDC Advisor: Susannah Higgins.

JesterLine is West Virginia’s first high-end gaming technology and innovation center. It specializes in bringing the newest gaming technologies for all ages to the surrounding community, staying up-to-date with technology trends and advancements.

JesterLine offers customers a safe, family-friendly environment where they can experience the best that modern gaming has to offer, including competition with other gamers, both locally and globally through its network platform. It also gives its customers the opportunity to build necessary skills through computer-based training. It provides options for K-12 technology solutions and SMB services, with IT consultations, hardware and software solutions, and repairs. (more…)

Expanding its Exhibit Market Internationally – #SBDC Client Showcase

February 11, 2019

FLEXHIBIT (FLEXHIBIT.com)
Countdown to the 2019 Client Showcase: #2

SBDC: Washington SBDC, Spokane (wsbdc.org)
SBDC Advisor: Vern Jenkins and Duane Fladland.

FLEXHIBIT is an exhibit manufacturing company that provides innovative, engaging, and high-quality STEM exhibits to Science Centers and Children’s Museums. With help from the Washington SBDC, FLEXHIBIT has successfully expanded its market internationally.

The company’s exhibits work with a portable, modular wall system called FlexWall, which allows customers to switch out inspiring STEM exhibits in a highly affordable manner, with quick turnaround times. Mounting on modular wall systems means you can rotate FLEXHIBIT exhibits – they can be swapped out in hours for new exhibits that can be arranged in a variety of patterns, which helps the science center or children’s museum stay relevant to its visitors. (more…)

Exploring International Export Markets for American Beer – #SBDC Client Showcase

February 10, 2019

Port City Brewing Company (portcitybrewing.com | @portcitybrew)
Countdown to the 2019 Client Showcase: #3

SBDC: Virginia SBDC, International Business Development Program (virginiasbdc.org)
SBDC Advisor: Aaron Miller.

After successfully working for a number of years with the Alexandria SBDC on their domestic business, Port City Brewing Company wanted to test the waters of international trade last year and quickly discovered a need for more expert advice. Port City was put in touch with the Virginia SBDC International Business Development Program.

“When we first started looking at exporting to the United Kingdom, we thought we’d go it alone and figure all this out on our own,” Bill Butcher says. “Working with Aaron Miller at the SBDC really helped us navigate a new facet of our business we really were not familiar with.” (more…)

Empowering Amputees Through Innovation – #SBDC Client Showcase

February 9, 2019

Extremiti3D (facebook.com/extremiti3D | @extremiti3D)
Countdown to the 2019 Client Showcase: #4

SBDC: North Charleston Area SBDC – South Carolina (www.scsbdc.com)
SBDC Advisor: Jim Wasson and Darrell Jones.

Extremiti3D empowers amputees through innovation. We deliver high quality service through close, personal collaboration with our practitioners. At Extremiti3D, we create precise solutions through advanced additive manufacturing, providing a better fit, greater durability, and significant savings in time and cost.

” Jim Wasson was critical to the development and success of my company. We started with a business concept, using 3D Printing to improve people’s lives. Through Jim’s guidance and experience we were able to win government-backed SBIR contracts and SC Launch grants and loans, providing funding to help us research and refine the business.” — Barry Hand, Founder/CEO, Extremiti3D, LLC  (more…)

Building an Expanding Energy Business – #SBDC Client Showcase

February 8, 2019

Whites Energy Services, LLC (WhitesEnergy.com| @riggweld1)
Countdown to the 2019 Client Showcase: #5

SBDC: Northwestern Oklahoma SBDC – High Plains Technology Center (www.oksbdc.org)
SBDC Advisor: Andra Smith.

Whites Energy Services, LLC began as White’s Welding in 2000, with one person — Calvin White. Calvin had big dreams for his small business, and through hard work and determination he has made amazing progress.

The company continued to expand products and services not only in Oklahoma but in Pennsylvania and Texas. Due to sales growth and varied product lines offered, three new companies were started to help keep up with the demand, which resulted in the need for the parent company. In 2012, Whites Energy Services, LLC, was created. This company is the umbrella under which the four companies operate, and it employs 250 people in three states.  (more…)