Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE

Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE announced the winners of its 10th Annual Metro East Startup Challenge. The 2023 business plan competition attracted around 40 entrepreneurs to compete for a portion of a $28,000 prize package.

Earth Candy, of Troy Illinois, was awarded the first-place prize of $10,000.  Earth Candy, owned by David Huniak and Joshua Douglas, is a retail operation that creates, manufactures and sells unique acidified foods.

Toast and Table, located in O’Fal...

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...

Illinois Metro East Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville helped expand community fitness options with the transfer to new ownership of a CrossFit facility. With the October 1 opening of Iron House CrossFit, Nick Wahle reached a personal goal: To run a successful enterprise while nurturing a sense of community spirit and promoting fitness as a way of life, especially among students.  

SBDC director Jo Ann Di Maggio May met clie...

The Latino Roundtable of Southwestern Illinois (LRT), The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), SIUE’s Office of Online Services and Educational Outreach, and sponsors Busey Bank, FCB Banks, AJ Legal Services, and Revity Credit Union, along with additional partners will host the Immigrants in Our Midst Conference on Friday, September 22. The conference focuses on how to better serve the U.S. Immigrant Workf...

Megan Grandone, a determined mother and working professional from Western Illinois, moved to the Glen Carbon area with her family 10 years ago and has recently embarked on an exciting entrepreneurial journey with the assistance of the Illinois Metro East Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Driven by her desire to bring positivity to her community and foster connections among the people of Southwest Illinois, Megan successfully launched her magaz...

Entrepreneurs and new business startups are invited to compete in the 2023 Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC), Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s 10th 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, Bond...

Dorothy McCoy, an entrepreneur and Army veteran from Illinois began her journey with Metro East Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in May 2022. With the guidance and support of the SBDC, she successfully launched her business, Mo’z Sweet Treat.

McCoy received guidance from the SBDC about her business registration process, mentorship, guidance on health department regulations, assistance in obtaining a micro loan for her business, as well ...

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 ...

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 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...