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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/.

Nevada SBDC Helps The Wine Down’s Joelle Bolton Turn a Dream Into a Destination Bar

June 10, 2026

The concept for The Wine Down was developed around a kitchen table by owner Joelle Bolton, her best friend, and her husband. Having spent years working in nightlife and hospitality, they set out to create a bar aligned with their own preferences—one that was approachable, distinctive, and designed with intention rather than trend.

Bolton’s husband played a leading role in shaping the bar’s design. He proposed several unconventional ideas that challenged more traditional approaches. While some of these concepts initially raised questions, they were ultimately incorporated into the final build. Over time, those design choices became defining characteristics of the space and contributed to its differentiation within the local market.

The process of opening the business proved more complex than expected. Bolton underestimated the scope of the licensing and regulatory requirements involved, later noting that navigating the process was more difficult than purchasing a home. During this period, the business was also managing multiple loans tied to both the bar and her husband’s vineyard management company. In December, her husband passed away, adding further complexity to an already demanding operational and financial situation.

To address these challenges, Bolton worked with the Nevada Small Business Development Center, where advisor Donna Corey provided ongoing guidance. The SBDC assisted with reviewing financial options, placing loans on hold, and later consolidating them into more manageable payments. In addition to technical support, Corey served as a consistent point of contact as Bolton evaluated next steps and navigated operational hurdles.

My SBDC advisor was full of good advice, full of positivity. So my relationship with SBDC is not strictly financial – sometimes you just need a sounding board…‘What do I do next?’ or ‘I’ve run into this hurdle, have you seen this before?’ SBDC had great advice for those questions. It’s okay to dream, do it.

Joelle Bolton, Owner of The Wine Down Tweet

Today, The Wine Down is an established business that continues to attract new and returning customers. Bolton frequently encourages others considering entrepreneurship to pursue their ideas and often refers them to the SBDC as a practical resource. The business reflects both careful planning and the support systems that helped bring it to completion.

From the ER to Entrepreneurship: How Wyoming SBDC Helped One Nurse Build a Wellness Community

May 13, 2026

In April 2024, Jacklyn Baker, MSN, FNP-C, launched a venture intended to change the way her community approached healthcare. After years of working in emergency medicine, Baker saw a persistent gap in the industry: a need for care that went beyond treating immediate symptoms. Her vision was to create Routine Aesthetics and Wellness, a med spa where clinical results intersected with personal confidence.

The name “Routine” was chosen with intention. Baker wanted to move away from the idea of “luxury-only” treatments and instead encourage clients to view health optimization and self-care as a standard part of their daily lives. “I wanted to help people understand their bodies, optimize their health, and feel validated instead of overlooked,” she explains. By bridging the gap between internal wellness like hormone balance and IV therapy, and aesthetic treatments, Routine strives to help patients feel like themselves again.

However, the transition from medical provider to business owner came with a steep learning curve. While Baker had the clinical expertise, the business side of things, like payroll, taxes, and licensing, presented a new set of challenges. After being referred by their bank, Baker and her colleague, Derric, began working with Regional Director P.J. Burns from the Wyoming SBDC Network. P.J. provided a roadmap through the often-confusing world of entrepreneurship.

“P.J. became a huge resource and asset, When it came to such confusing business plans, taxes, department of workforce services, sales tax licenses - you name it, she was able to help with it.”

Jacklyn Baker, Owner of Routine Aesthetics and Wellness Tweet

This guidance was instrumental in securing a small business loan to purchase a commercial property on Highway 59. This shared space has since evolved into a comprehensive wellness destination. In addition to Routine Aesthetics and Wellness and Routine Tanning Studio, the facility houses a women’s health clinic, and supports a vibrant community of independent professionals, including massage therapists, estheticians, and cosmetologists.

Since moving to the new location, Routine has grown to serve over 2,000 clients and employs a dedicated staff of eight. For Baker, the most significant milestone isn’t the numbers, but the feedback from those she treats. She recalls realizing the business’s true potential when she consistently heard patients say, “I didn’t know I had the ability to feel this great.”

Scaling the business required significant time and dedication. In April 2026, Baker made the decision to leave her full-time hospital position to focus entirely on her clinic. This shift has allowed her to achieve a better work-life balance while giving her business the focus it requires to thrive.

When asked what advice she would give to others looking to start their own journey, Baker emphasizes the need for grit. “Be ready to be consumed by your business and to put in the VERY HARD work. But know this is temporary while you build something spectacular,” she says. Looking towards the future, Baker plans to keep growing, potentially expanding into a larger facility to ensure every client continues to feel seen, heard, and unstoppable.

Lively Little Ones Fulfilling Childcare Need in Fayette County with West Virginia SBDC Assistance

April 29, 2026

When Amber Comer decided to expand her home-based childcare business into a full-fledged Early Learning Center, she knew she wanted to offer more than just daycare. She envisioned a place where children could grow and thrive in a supportive, hands-on educational environment. That vision became Lively Little Ones in Fayetteville.

“We try to, not just provide care, but a higher quality of care,” Comer says. “We want to make sure that we are following a curriculum and lesson plans, and teaching your children so that they can have a strong educational foundation and be prepared for when they start school.”

Comer’s journey in childcare began years earlier. After working in daycare centers as a teenager, she transitioned into entrepreneurship following the birth of her son. She spent four years as a home childcare provider before opening Lively Little Ones in September 2025 on Franklin Heights Road in Fayetteville, serving children ages 6 weeks to 12 years. The center offers infant care, preschool, and toddler programs, as well as before- and after-school care and services during school breaks.

Beyond daily care, Comer and her team are committed to building community connections through monthly events and activities.

“We try at least once a month to do something fun and free for the community,” Comer says. “All of our teachers are very involved, and a lot of them are moms themselves. They want what’s best for the kiddos and want to help give back and offer a place where everyone can feel welcome.”

Small Business Support & Collaboration

Expanding from a home daycare to a full Early Learning Center was no small feat. Comer credits Melissa Colagrosso, director of A Place to Grow Children’s Center in nearby Oak Hill and leader of the regional childcare cooperative, Together We Grow, as a valuable industry resource and for connecting her with Shannon Mitchell, a business coach with the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC).

“Amber has a true entrepreneurial spirit and is so motivated to move through a process, get things done, and do it the right way,” Mitchell describes.

From the earliest planning stages, the WV SBDC worked closely with the entrepreneur to provide one-on-one business coaching, technical assistance, and strategic guidance. This included:

Development of a comprehensive business plan
Startup cost analysis
Cash flow projections
Operational planning tailored specifically to the regulatory and staffing realities of childcare in West Virginia
Assembling a complete loan package
Direct referrals to financing partners to help move the project forward

“We helped her navigate through the process of funding and permits and just getting open, which is a huge hurdle for any entrepreneur to overcome,” Mitchell says. “Now it’s transitioned into managing a business, and I hope to continue supporting Amber in that way.”

“Both Shannon and Melissa have been very helpful; they’ve answered any questions I’ve had,” Comer describes. “I have been able to call them crying when I’m stressed or anxious about something, and they’re always reassuring and let me know that I’m still making steps in the right direction. Opening your own business is not easy, and there are a lot of unknowns, but when you have people like that by your side, it sure helps a lot.”

A Community Need

Lively Little Ones is currently the only childcare center located in Fayetteville. After the local Head Start relocated to Oak Hill, Comer saw an opportunity to help meet a growing demand for childcare services in a community where working families and employers have long faced limited options.

“We are helping to fill the gap,” Comer explains. “The community has been very welcoming, and I’m very glad to be here.”

As the business continues to grow, Comer remains focused on expanding enrollment and enhancing programming.

“We are about a third of the way enrolled right now,” she shares. “With summer coming, we can get some really cool programs and activities up and running, and we are excited to welcome new students.”

A Broader Impact

As Comer’s business coach, Mitchell is proud of the WV SBDC’s role in turning a community need into a sustainable success story.

Beyond the individual business success, Lively Little Ones represents a meaningful step forward in addressing one of the region’s most persistent economic development barriers: access to reliable, affordable childcare.

“There is such a need for childcare businesses like Lively Little Ones,” Mitchell says. “We cannot grow our workforce and provide jobs for families in need without businesses like hers. They’re essential to the growth of West Virginia.”

Are you looking for help in starting or growing your business? The WV SBDC assists entrepreneurs and small business owners at every stage of the business lifecycle. Learn more on their website.

More Than Just a Gym: How the Illinois SBDC at Harper College Supported a New Approach to Fitness

April 15, 2026

According to the CDC, 75% of Americans fail to meet the physical activity guidelines for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities. Every January, gyms fill with hopefuls chasing fresh-start resolutions. Yet by June, most fail their goals. Research shows that 50% of new gym members quit within six months, and 67% rarely use their memberships consistently. The reasons are familiar: lack of motivation, no clear plan, inconsistent routines, and little to no support. Furthermore, most traditional gyms emphasize intensity but often neglect any attention to restorative care. Without this necessary step, progress can stall and injuries are more likely. Factor in daily work and family responsibilities, and it’s no wonder that building and sustaining a healthy lifestyle often feels overwhelming.

Karlin Soelberg knows first-hand the challenges of maintaining health amidst a demanding career. She envisioned a facility that empowered people to achieve optimal health and vitality, leading her to establish Empowered Fitness & Recovery, LLC, in Arlington Heights, Illinois. The wellness club was conceived to bridge the gap between intense fitness regimens and the often-overlooked importance of recovery. “Our mission is to provide a sanctuary where individuals can pursue their fitness goals while receiving the necessary support to recover, rejuvenate, and thrive,” Soelberg explains. Her holistic approach sets a path for success by focusing on three strategic pillars, fitness, nutrition, and accountability, while ensuring consistent support.

The club offers a synergistic blend of high-intensity training and advanced recovery services. The variety of fitness offerings ranges from group Body Pump, semi-private training, and boxing, to corporate, private, and semi-private yoga sessions, and recovery modalities include cold plunge, infrared sauna, and red light therapy. Soelberg is proud of the facility’s ability to cater to their clients’ needs, explaining, “What sets us apart is our commitment to creating a community that empowers individuals to achieve sustainable health and wellness.” To share this fitness philosophy with a global audience, Soelberg coauthored the “Get The Edge” series with Tony Figueroa. The three books in the series are “Fitness & Recovery Strategies for Peak Performance”, “Hormone Health for Women”, and “Fitness & Recovery Strategies for Teens”, all available on Amazon.

While Soelberg didn’t come from a traditional fitness background, her personal journey in overcoming injuries coupled with a passion for holistic health led her to this venture. What she lacked in formal fitness industry experience, she made up for with vision and drive, but as a first-time entrepreneur, launching a business from the ground up came with real challenges. Soelberg particularly needed guidance with navigating the complexities of financial projections and operations to bring her vision to fruition.

Soelberg worked with two advisors at the Illinois SBDC at Harper College, Margaret Johnsson and Kevin McVearry. Each played a pivotal role at different stages of her entrepreneurial journey.

Before Empowered Fitness & Recovery opened its doors, Johnsson supported Soelberg with promotional strategies for her book. As the focus shifted fully to launching the wellness club, their conversations turned to legal structure and ownership arrangements. Financial concerns such as compensation and commission structures were reviewed. Johnsson used LivePlan to model profitability based on different facility layouts. Together, they developed a comprehensive business plan tailored to the unique blend of fitness and recovery services Soelberg envisioned. While many entrepreneurs find the process of writing a business plan intimidating or tedious, Karlin embraced it as an essential step in bringing clarity and structure to her ideas. Beyond internal planning, the plan was submitted to potential landlords to secure a commercial lease for the space. Interestingly, Empowered opened in a different location than originally planned, proof of the importance of flexibility, foresight, and a solid planning process.

McVearry helped Soelberg fine-tune financial projections, evaluate service offerings, and calculate realistic startup and operational costs. They analyzed staffing requirements, considered pricing structures, and mapped out workflow logistics. McVearry reviewed her business plan and leases as she considered two different locations. He also conducted in-person walk-throughs of potential spaces alongside Soelberg, providing feedback on floor plan options, customer flow, and layout configurations. His advice helped translate vision into functionality, ensuring that the physical space would support both the day-to-day operations and long-term business goals.

Both Johnsson and McVearry continue their role as advisors as the business transitions from launch to growth phase.

They provided invaluable support in refining our business plan, offering insights into financial projections, and advising on marketing strategies. Their expertise was instrumental in transforming our concept into a tangible, operational business.

Karlin Soelberg Tweet

Soelberg highly recommends the SBDC at Harper College to any entrepreneur, citing their invaluable resources and mentorship. “Their support can significantly impact the trajectory of a small business, providing the tools and knowledge necessary for success.”

Soelberg envisions a vibrant future for Empowered Fitness & Recovery, LLC, with plans to expand services and reach a broader audience. She intends to incorporate innovative wellness technologies and build partnerships that reflect the club’s mission and achieve their goal of becoming a leading authority in integrated fitness and recovery solutions. Her approach to entrepreneurship mirrors her philosophy on health – holistic, intentional, and rooted in long-term growth. For Soelberg, running a business isn’t just about profit, it’s about purpose.

Asked to share one piece of advice with aspiring business owners, she echoes her wellness mindset: “Embrace the journey with resilience and adaptability. Challenges are inevitable, but with a clear vision and the willingness to seek support, success is within reach.”

To learn more about the Illinois SBDC at Harper College, visit their website.

To learn more about Empowered Fitness & Recovery, visit their website.

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