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| Startups on the Move
Congratulations to all of the new and all of the growing businesses at St. Louis Enterprise Centers! The following startups have joined the nearly 50 other client companies at the Enterprise Centers. In addition to welcoming the newest startups to the incubators, we also congratulate the businesses continuing their growth while in the incubator and beyond.
Moving in
MVP Mobile (WBE), a certified business dealer for Sprint, is the newest West County Enterprise Center client company.
South County Enterprise Center welcomes Quantum III Consultants Group (M/WBE), developer of education and training programs that meet the changing needs of workers and employers.
Wellston Enterprise Center is now home to Royal Attire, a company that offers alteration services to consumers and businesses.
Sledroc Construction Inc., LLC (MBE), a carpentry construction company specializing in wood and light gage metal framing, has joined the Wellston Enterprise Center.
Be on the lookout for Wanderlust Pizza. This food truck is an authentic1973 Airstream Safari offering wood-fired mobile cuisine. The Wanderlust truck is based out of the Midtown Enterprise Center.
William's Cleaning, a general cleaning services provider, has moved into St. Louis Enterprise Centers - South County.
Growing
 Enteral Health and Nutrition products are now on store shelves at select Dierbergs and Straub's Markets. Owner Helen Kim-James, MD, was featured in the article The War on Wrinkles, talking about Enteral's health-promoting products.
Congratulations to all six companies graduating from St. Louis Enterprise Centers (Wellston and West County) and opening up shop at their own headquarters.
Food truck frenzy - Stop by the final Food Truck Friday on September 9 at Tower Grove Park to support tasty local chefs. Food trucks include Midtown Enterprise Centers' Cha Cha Chow and Wanderlust Pizza. Want to see Cha Cha Chow on the Food Network's Great Food Truck Race? Cast your vote here.
Have a passion for entrepreneurship? St. Louis Enterprise Centers is looking for a part-time administrative assistant to help in its small business incubator division. Click here to learn more. |
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| The Top 10 + 1
Tips on how to reduce the cost of health care for your small business (from the Frugal Entrepreneur):
- Do your research
- Join your spouse's plan
- Opt for a higher deductible or co-pay
- Use a health savings account (HSA)
- Offer a flexible spending account (FSA)
- Maximize your tax breaks
- Encourage wellness
- Join a discount health benefits program
- Enroll in a group health plan
- Take advantage of subsidies and free or low-cost services
Plus 1
Read the article below on insurance changes and health care reform.
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| Enterprise Center
Board of Directors
Arthur G. Baebler
Board President
Matthew E. Gieseking
Board Vice President
William R. Gilbert
Board Treasurer
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
Jeffery H. Kass Polsinelli, Shughart PC 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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| Fund Your Technology
Have a science-based technology or idea but need initial funding and expert advice to prove your innovation and secure private funding? If so, two regional programs could help: St. Louis Regional i6 Project and Bio Entrepreneur Development Program provide funding, training and support for the creation of new bioscience companies in St. Louis.
- Applications for the i6 Award are being accepted through September 15, 2011. Information and an application packet are available here.
- The Bio Entrepreneur Development Program is accepting applications through September 16, 2011. Information and an application packet are available here.
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| St. Louis Enterprise Centers Graduate Six Small Businesses
 St. Louis Enterprise Centers graduated six small businesses this month, making room for other emerging entrepreneurs to be part of the small business incubator program. Incubators create a business climate that nurtures business development, expansion and investment, and, in turn, its graduates have one of the greatest impacts on local job growth and economic stimulus. The six graduating businesses are:
- Accent Fishing Products, LLC (WBE) - A specialized manufacturer of fishing lures for the professional angler.
- Acoba, LLC - Developing a revolutionary product to diagnose debilitating sleep apnea.
- Metropolitan Training Alliance (MBE) - Trains and retools local workers for jobs of the future.
- Swoosh Technologies - Provides engineering product design and manufacturing solutions and services for small to medium-size manufacturers.
- TD4, Inc (MBE/WBE) - A minority-owned electrical contractor.
- TechGuard Security (WBE) - Provides hardware, software and consulting solutions to address internet security.
"St. Louis Enterprise Centers provide support so emerging companies can grow and eventually occupy their own corporate headquarters," said St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley. "When businesses graduate, it is good for everyone and shows the incubators are doing their jobs."
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| Employee Benefits & Risk Management Update for Small Business
While we hear a lot about Health Care Reform, not much is clear. Long story short, the big changes are coming in 2014, assuming the federal law is not amended. So far, changes mostly involve specific coverage provisions in your policies.
The big change coming in 2014 is the Exchange. Each state is required by federal law to have a healthcare insurance Exchange by January 1, 2014. If they don't, the Department of Health & Human Services will do it for them. In Missouri, a bill enabling Exchange legislation was unanimously approved by the Missouri House only to be tabled by the Senate. The matter will be revisited in the 2012 session.
In Risk Management and Workers Compensation, rates appear to be on the rise due to increasing claims nationwide and the low interest rate environment. Catastrophic losses from the Joplin tornadoes and Hurricane Irene will only continue this trend. Additionally, an increase in claims is evident in Employment Practices Liability (discrimination and harassment claims) and Employee Benefit Liability. Employee Benefit Liability claims have included employer errors related to managing their Life, Health and Disability insurance programs.
Your insurance carrier and broker/agent should keep you aware of changes, strategy and managing your insurance programs.
Written by Matt McGrath. McGrath is Division Vice President for Holmes Murphy & Associates, an independent risk management and employee benefits firm. He was a recent Seminars for Success presenter on this topic. He can be reached at 314.678.6400. To learn more about Holmes Murphy, visit www.holmesmurphy.com.
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 | St. Louis Enterprise Centers -
West County |
| St. Louis Enterprise Centers
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 early 2012.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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