PinMe Organics owner Maracus Scott started his PinMe Organics mushroom business as a hobby just a few short months ago. It grew rapidly and now has a promising future with help from the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville.
Scott works at SIUE in Information Technology Services. Capitalizing on his on-campus network, he contacted the SBDC for assistance. SBDC Business Specialist Marti Guntren offered one-o...
When it comes to figuring out the process and perfect location to open the first record store in Edwardsville in decades, look no further than Trusty Chords Record Shop. The music store hopes to draw crowds at its grand opening on Saturday, Nov. 10 at 1514 Troy Rd., Suite C at 11 a.m. Festivities will begin at 11 a.m.
Behind this musical venture are owners Colin Anderson and Scott Brunkhorst, who share common interests in music and entrepreneurship, along with the help f...
The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) is celebrating the one-year anniversary of its client, Dog.Heart.Soul.
The SBDC has helped Dog.Heart.Soul with a year’s worth of support and information. With SBDC’s one-on-one, no-cost business counseling services, owner Cheryl Newman has grown the business into something special. She meets regularly with SBDC Director Jo Ann DiMaggio May.
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Like most entrepreneurs, Unique Woodworks owner Timothy Smock has faced success and struggles throughout his business career. Now, he is faced with a fresh challenge of starting a venture in a new state.
Smock has learned what to do and what not to do after being his own boss. He has also discovered an enormous opportunity for his woodworking passion.
Unique Woodworks is known for custom wood signs, furniture, and myriad replications, as well as custom works with 3-D imprints, LED ...
Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has been working with Sly Hedgehog Productions for over a year aiding in its growth and achievements in hosting interactive murder mysteries. Sly Hedgehog now has its own location in Alton in the Milton Schoolhouse.
Owners Libby Sykes and Jessica Napier agree that working with SBDC Director Jo Ann DiMaggio May has made the process of operating their business much more enjo...
An Alton native has turned his passion for plants, soil science and agriculture into a growing business with Heritage Farm & Fruit Trees based in Godfrey.
Owner Patrick Gibson is pursuing his dream while feeding the community and supporting other local businesses with his high-quality fruit trees. He has received invaluable assistance with his venture from the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
SBDC Director Jo Ann DiMaggio M...
The landscape service All Seasons Outdoor Solutions (ASOS) in O’Fallon has grown quickly since owner Sean Jentsch launched the new business in April. Aiding in his success has been the Metro East Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
Jentsch is a Marine Corps veteran who was looking to give back to the community by offering his landscaping services, after gaining many years of experience working at golf courses and lawn ...
Josh Colclasure and Sammie Williams have been friends since childhood. They have always talked about starting a business together and finally had the chance to put their idea for bar and restaurant draft line cleaning services to the test in the Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC).
The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois U...
When you stay at a hotel, do you get the warm comfortable feeling of a home?
Didn’t think so.
When you choose to stay at The Tibbett’s House: Bed, Breakfast & Books in Highland, you are greeted with the smell of freshly baked cookies, and genuine hospitality from owners Brett and Mindy Casto. They even have their company mascots to greet you, too … their two dogs.
You have access to snacks, drinks and toiletries during your stay, as well as some time to connect with othe...
EDWARDSVILLE - Susan Hackney was looking for a creative outlet as she eased her way into retirement. A lifelong learner, she decided the extra time on her hands provided the opportunity to learn new skills. Having an interest in growing her passion for jewelry making into a business, she learned about the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
She first attended the SBDC’s monthly ...
Mike Stith, owner of One LegacyⓇ, has been nominated for the 2018 RootsTech Family History Innovative Product of the Year for his Legacy Sharing program.
One LegacyⓇ collects and shares real stories from everyday people through Legacy Sharing, a guided story-sharing program for groups of all ages.
Stith is humbled by the recognition. “Re...
IL SBDC Helps Sly Hedgehog with Murder Mysteries
EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville alumni Jessica Napier and Libby Sykes are providing the local area with a live version of the board game “Clue” with their Murder Mystery Dinner events. Their next event is Saturday, Oct. 21, “Horrors in Hawkins: A Murder Mystery Inspired by Stranger Things” from 6-10 p.m. at the Wildey Theater in Edwardsville. The dinners involve murder,...
Entrepreneurs and new business startups are invited to compete in the 2017 Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC), Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s fourth annual regional business plan competition.
The MESC is organized by the Illinois Metro East Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at SIUE. The purpose of the Challenge is to identify, encourage and support entrepreneurs and business startups across the SBDC’s service area, including Calhoun,...
Rainbow Station Preschool & Daycare in Belleville is an ideal example of an existing business that tapped into the complimentary expertise available at the Illinois Metro East Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
In August 2016, owner LaDonna Tunstall approached the SBDC for expertise in how to expand her business and to locate a larger space. She ...
Like many individuals, Danny Smith has faced his share of battles and has struggled with ways of overcoming them. Thanks to expertise from the Illinois Metro East Small Business Development Center, Smith has founded a clothing and brand company, Built By Battle, to inspire others to tackle their battles and succeed.
“We all have battles in our lives,” Smith said. “It...
Like many individuals, Danny Smith has faced his share of battles and has struggled with ways of overcoming them. Thanks to expertise from the Illinois Metro East Small Business Development Center, Smith has founded a clothing and brand company, Built By Battle, to inspire others to tackle their battles and succeed.
“We all have battles in our lives,” Smith said. “It...
