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Startups on the Move 
The small businesses moving in and moving up at St. Louis Enterprise Centers are always exciting to us. Congratulations to the following companies joining our small business incubators and those that continue to grow.
Moving in & Moving Up
TerraMar Networks, LLC
- West County Enterprise Center welcomes TerraMar, a global provider of asset tracking and fleet management solutions. TerraMar tracks ocean going ships, drilling rigs, emergency response vehicles, tractor trailers, airplanes, and other high value capital assets.
Strategic Real Estate Planning LLC, a development consulting firm at the Wellston Enterprise Center, was recently hired by Richland Community College in Decatur, IL to develop a market feasibility plan for its Agribusiness Applied Technology Park. South County Enterprise Center client Century Restoration is expanding. Its new division will provide around-the-clock emergency repair and maintenance services to retail and commercial companies. The
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Dogtown Pizza owner
Rick Schaper |
company also has hired a marketing manager. Dogtown Pizza has grown exponentially since 2007 when it moved into the Midtown Enterprise Center. Four years ago the company produced 500 pizzas per month; today, they make 500 pizzas per day! Looking for a piece of the pie? Click here to find the handmade pizzas in 70 local markets and grocers.
Awards & Recognition
Small Business Week of Eastern Missouri
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| | Rick Palank |
has recognized Rick Palank, senior vice president of St. Louis County Economic Council's Business Finance Division as the Financial Services Champion of the Year. St. Louis Small Business Monthly has named Denny Coleman, president & CEO of the Economic Council; Rick Palank; and Dennis Breite, vice president of St. Louis Enterprise Centers among the 100 people St. Louis' small business owners should know.
Please send your small business news for inclusion in the next Startup newsletter to chendrix@slcec.com. |
Small Business Finance Options
As a small business, your sights are firmly set on growth. As you do just that, financing may become a necessity. But is there money available? The answer is a resounding yes!
So far, 2011 has seen an upturn in small business lending, providing momentum to a thawing financial market. Programs like the Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loan are bridging the gap between needed equity and bank financing, making growth and expansion a reality for small businesses.
With financing options as unique and innovative as the businesses they serve, you may be uncertain as to the best fit for you. Learn more about the programs that can drive your next growth spurt:
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The Top 10 + 1:
Tips to make your small business loan process pain free. - Establish and maintain good business credit
- Plan on providing a business plan
- Start early: submit docs, address concerns
- Complete paperwork completely
- Keep financial statements current
- Be sure documents are legible and organized
- Be honest about your business
- Secure life insurance or a succession plan
- Have a professional advisory team
- Prepare to invest some equity or collateral
- Remember the first loan is usually the hardest to get
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| Enterprise
Centers Board
Arthur G. Baebler
Board President
Matthew E. Gieseking
Board Vice President
Patrick M. Bannister St. Louis Development Corporation
Marc Braun
The Law Office of Marc W. Braun
George A. Brill Talisen Technologies
John G. Gatewood Northwestern Mutual
William R. Gilbert Q-Up Mobile Systems, LLC
Jeffery H. Kass Gallop, Johnson & Neuman, L.C.
Kraig G. Kreikemeier Kreikemeier Group, LLC
Judy Meador
Missouri Venture Forum
Joseph W. Mooney III Mooney Favazza, LLP
Richard M. Palank St. Louis County Economic Council
James Seitz Lindell Bank
Dr. Patricia A. Suess St. Louis Community College
Kevin Wilson Small Business Development Centers
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Business Plan Competition Top 30
Congratulations to the thirty innovative entrepreneurs chosen from more than 125 applicants to advance to the semi-final round of the 2011 St. Louis Regional Business Plan Competition.
In the semi-finals, entrepreneurs submit their entire business plan, make a 10-minute presentation and are interviewed by the judges. The judges will advance the six finalists, who will compete for a total of $100,000 in cash prizes as well as accounting, legal, marketing, and mentoring services. Winners will be announced June 28, 2011.
The 30 semi-finalists:
| Blissfully Free Bakery | Geneva Mobility Devices Inc. | Office Furniture Bank | | Bob Foster Inc. | Gremln | Pada Medical Products | 'Cafe Revenue' by Chemistry
Multimedia, LLC | Home Run Projects, LLC | PulmoCAD, LLC | | DSP, LLC | HomeNav by Sustaining Spaces | Pulse Therapeutics, Inc. | | Engineered Deck Systems | Human Canvas | R-Pen LLC | | Enteral Health and Nutrition | Iler Products Group (IPG) | Seque Inc. | | Events In America, LLC | Katalyst Surgical, LLC | Spicy Packets | | Fee Recovery Systems, LLC | Masculine Wipes | Syncopolis, Inc. | | Freiezo | NannyNurseŽ Network LLC | The Mission Center, L3C | | Frostbite Gourmet Ice Cream, LLC | NanoMed, LLC | WorldKi Inc. |
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Why We're Here: Mercury Construction and Communications
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| | Julie Steis & Jeff Fischer: Mercury's Sister/Brother Owners |
Just one year after the launch of Mercury Construction and Communications, it was presented with its greatest challenge as a small business - September 11. That is when Mercury owner Julie Steis found St. Louis Enterprise Centers.
"St. Louis Enterprise Centers was a huge help," she said. "After 9/11, we were almost going to have to close the doors, but the Enterprise Centers helped us in a number of ways."
The incubator connected Mercury with a mentor, enabling Steis to diversify and get the company back on its feet. The low overhead and flexibility in the amount of space available was also beneficial.
By 2006, Steis had turned the business around. Today, Mercury has 30 employees and revenue totaling $9 million. In March, Steis earned the ranks of one of St. Louis' Top Women Business Owners.
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St. Louis Enterprise Centers
 | | St. Louis Enterprise Centers - South County |
Research shows new businesses that utilize a business incubator greatly increase their likelihood not just to survive but flourish. Startups benefit from the nurturing environment, strong support system and proximity to like-minded entrepreneurs.
St. Louis Enterprise Centers provide office, warehouse, production, culinary, and lab space at five locations: Midtown, South County, Wellston, West County, and the soon-to-be-open Helix Center. The Helix Center for plant and life science companies will open late 2011.To learn more, contact Dennis Breite at 314.615.7621 or dbreite@slcec.com. V isit us online at www.slcec.com.
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