Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE

Robert Eckman, an entrepreneur and client of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, is excited to announce the grand opening of his new business, Belleville Books. In business partnership with his husband, Steve Mathews, and the support and guidance of the SBDC, Robert has turned his entrepreneurial dream into reality. The bookstore will open its doors to the community on September 24, offering a wide selection of new and used books ...

Nineteen Southwestern Illinois-based entrepreneurs and their innovative business concepts have been selected to move into the second round of the 11th annual SIUE Metro East SBDC business plan competition.

The Metro East Startup Challenge welcomes entrepreneurs and new businesses from a nine-county area of Southwestern Illinois with further expansion into Fayette, Montgomery and Macoupin counties. Nearly 40 entrepreneurs expressed interest in the regional competition this year, according to Jo ...

Jamie Shrum, an emerging entrepreneur, and a client of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, began her entrepreneurial journey in 2022. With a deep love for nature, decades of private sector work experience and roots in Southern California, she successfully launched her cherished venture, SoCal Soul Plants & Gifts.

Shrum's passion for plants began in 2013 while working for a construction and engineering firm, where ...

The Latino Roundtable of Southwestern Illinois (LRT), The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, SIUE’s Office of Online Services and Educational Outreach, and various community sponsors, along with additional partners will host a conference on Friday, August 9: “Immigrants in Our Midst,” that focuses on how to better serve the U.S. Immigrant Workforce. This event will take place from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at...

Entrepreneurs and new business startups are invited to compete in the 2024 Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC), Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's 11th annual regional business plan competition.

The MESC is organized by the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at SIUE. The purpose of the Challenge is to identify, encourage, and support entrepreneurs and business startups across the SBDC’s service area, including Jersey, Calhoun, Madison,...

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) International Trade Center (ITC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville announces the successful completion of a highly productive trade and educational mission to Lima, Perú. Co-led by Laura Wolff, instructor in the SIUE School of Business, and ITC Director Silvia Torres Bowman, who hails from Perú, the mission aimed to strengthen ties between SIUE and esteemed institutions in the South American country.

Members of the SIU...

Amie Spangler, an entrepreneur and client of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, has achieved a significant milestone in her career. In March 2024, Spangler successfully finalized the purchase of Rising Stars Boutique & Greek, a beloved local business that has been serving the community since 2003.

Spangler's journey with the Illinois SBDC for The Metro East at SIUE and director Jo Ann Di Maggio May began in late 2022. Spangler f...

Silvia Torres Bowman, director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and International Trade Center (ITC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, appeared with other senior export advisors on a September 26 panel presented by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). “Expand your Exports:  Experts Panel” featured Torres Bowman and several Hispanic speakers during SBA’s promotion of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Torres Bowman, a native Peruvian, Ameri...

In 1961, President Kennedy signed an executive order reviving the World War II “E” symbol of excellence to honor and recognize America’s exporters. On Tuesday, June 6, the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and International Trade Center (ITC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville received the “E” award for export service at the 62nd anniversary of the award ceremony at the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The award is the highest recognition a ...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s School of Business, and The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and International Trade Centers (ITC) for the Metro East at SIUE are proud to announce the inaugural Fuel the Future event. The event will offer local small business representatives the opportunity to learn about the no-cost services available to them through these SIUE centers for business development and in particular exporting. Additionally, the event will pro...

An award-winning BBQ sauce, innovative motorcycle parts and components, industrial paint and specialty markers, and touch screen purses that were designed as a way for women and girls alike to safely, securely and fashionably carry their phones are a few of the products from southern Illinois that could soon be in hot demand outside U.S. borders.

That’s because the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Illinois SBDC International Trade Center (ITC) has continued its customized...

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is proud to partner with colleagues at the Illinois SBDC International Trade Center (ITC) Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) at the Joseph Center to support Operation Ten City Tour: St. Louis.

“We are excited to partner with the SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE in this venture,” said Director of the Illinois SBDC-ITC-PTAC at the Joseph Center Andy Pham. &#...

The southern Illinois region has long needed a customized, action-oriented export training initiative to put local businesses on the international map. Now, five regional businesses have benefited from such an opportunity, EXPORT NOW.

Presented by the Illinois SBDC International Trade Center (ITC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, in partnership with the Southwest Illinois Trade and Investment Council, LR International and the Illinois District Export Council, with financial support...

The COVID-19 pandemic is causing unprecedented disruption to the global economy, which is causing severe negative impacts to small and mid-sized businesses.

Through its federal partner, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) via the CARES Act COVID-19 supplemental funding, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network remains at the center of the national economic recovery effort, supporting small businesses, so they can survive, recover and position themselves for future growth....