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NJ Small Business Development Centers | |
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-WHERE BUSINESSES GO TO GROW- |
NJSBDC to Present Success Awards to Small Businesses Making a Difference in New Jersey Generating Jobs and Growing the Economy
Monroe Township, NJ - The New Jersey Small Business Development Centers (NJSBDC) network will present Small Business Growth Success Awards to the owners of 13 diverse small businesses across New Jersey on Friday, Dec. 10, 2010, at the Forsgate Country Club, 375 Forsgate Drive, Monroe Twp. from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The annual event also recognizes key state lawmakers who support the mission of NJSBDC and the small businesses the network assists.
NJSBDC business clients receiving Success Awards this year span a range of industries. Included among the recipients are a life science company developing new products aimed at the treatment of disease and environmental remediation, a day care center, a commercial language and translation services firm, a telecommunications "green" company specializing in recycled and refurbished computers, a company involved with computer hardware and software troubleshooting, a website design company, an online retail store selling customized chocolate, a solar energy company, a printing company, and a construction and landscaping/masonry distribution center.
"The annual Small Business Growth Success Awards allow us to recognize the successes these small businesses have gained despite the economic downturn that has presented so many special challenges. Their stories are examples of perseverance," says Brenda Hopper, NJSBDC state director/chief executive officer. "Their success also points to the value and effectiveness of the services and expertise that the NJSBDC network provides to assist small businesses with their development and growth."
Serving as premier sponsors for this year's ceremony are Verizon, NJ Shares, and PNC Bank; New Jersey Business magazine is also an in-kind media sponsor. Jorge Silva-Puras, the Small Business Administration (SBA) regional administrator for NY, NJ, PR & USVI, will address the group concerning "SBDCs as Resources for Economic Growth."
"By providing sound guidance through the NJSBDC network, we empower small business owners to launch their businesses and grow their operations," notes Hopper. "Such guidance is critically important especially during these difficult economic times. The NJSBDC is here to help bolster New Jersey's economic growth by assisting small businesses throughout the state."
Each year, the 11 centers in the NJSBDC network and its statewide specialty programs - Technology Commercialization and Procurement - nominate their best candidates for awards. Lawmakers committed to small business development and growth are also recognized for their efforts.
"When state lawmakers understand and support the efforts of the NJSBDC, including job creation and retention and the launch of new businesses and the expansion of existing ones, small business growth in New Jersey is able to progress at a faster pace," says Deborah Smarth, NJSBDC associate state director/chief operating officer. "This annual event allows us to publicly thank those key state public policy makers who support the NJSBDC's mission, small business ownership and entrepreneurship."
Businesses selected for Success Awards this year include:
| · | | | Next Specialty of Newark, NJ, is headed by Dr. Namita Deo, who was assisted by the NJSBDC Technology Commercialization program. As a result of the specialized counseling and training assistance Deo received with preparing proposals to compete for federal Small Business Innovation Research grants, the company received two grants totaling $200,000. Those grants are helping to commercialize technology to develop new plant derived molecules for skin care, environmental remediation, the treatment of disease and other commercial applications. The company now also is in a good position to compete for a $500,000 Phase II award next year. | | · | | | Leroy Brown, owner and operator of LCB, Inc., was successful in winning several economic stimulus project awards, which has bolstered company revenues, as a result of the assistance he received through the NJSBDC Procurement program. The Franklin Park, NJ company is working on several roadway projects in connection with I 287, US 1, I 295, and I 195 as well as an excavating project in Asbury Park. It also has increased its workforce by 50 percent and trucking fleet by 25 percent since 2007. | | · | | | Elisabete Miranda formed Translation Plus LLC in 2000 with her sister-in-law. The company, located in Hackensack, NJ, offers translation in several languages to commercial clients. In 2003, the company converted to a corporate structure with Miranda assuming the position of president. The NJSBDC at Bergen Community College assisted her and the company with further managing and growing the business by obtaining 8(a) certification and extending its sales reach to a broader base of corporate America. Today it is a multi-million dollar operation with nine full-time employees and a client list including Merck, Genentech, The United Nations and others. | | · | | | Le-Ed Concrete and Supply Company of Toms River, NJ started as a concrete contracting company in 1970. In 2007, facing the challenges of the economic downturn, the company turned to the NJSBDC at Brookdale Community College to assist with its transition and expansion into other areas. General Manager Charles Schlapfer enrolled in the NJSBDC Entrepreneur Certificate Program and worked with NJSBDC to obtain proper registrations for government contracting opportunities. As a result, the company won over $1 million in government procurement contracts in two-plus years. | | · | | | Jorge Sanchez sought the assistance of the NJSBDC at Kean University back in 2003. He started his business, Interbluweb, Inc., offering free computer checkups using his skills in hardware and software troubleshooting. Since then he has moved his business to a store in Union, NJ, offering customers low prices and warranties on refurbished computers and parts. In addition, the company has integrated an array of printing services into the business. | | · | | | Ana Lopez and Robert Kohut started A.B.C. Day Care Center in Union City, NJ with the assistance of the NJSBDC at New Jersey City University. This husband-and-wife team was able to acquire the center when they received an SBA guarantee loan of $290,000 with the help of the NJSBDC which assisted with preparing a business plan, financials and bank loan applications. After just one year of operation, the day care center has managed to retain 10 employees and hire two additional people. | | · | | | Greenway Computers LLC in Somers Point, NJ is owned and operated by Joe Tamanini and Jim Remy. The two men came to the NJSBDC at Richard Stockton College in 2009. After attending seminars and workshops and receiving counseling, they completed a business plan and came up with a funding strategy and also received a micro-loan, allowing them to open their doors in 2010. The company recycles and refurbishes computers from public and corporate customers and is totally dedicated to environmentally "green" strategies. | | · | | | Chocomize in Cherry Hill, NJ was launched in November 2009 by three recent Columbia University graduates, Eric Heinbockel, Nick LaCava and Fabian Kaempfer. Their online retail chocolate company sells custom blended chocolate bars. As a result of the assistance they received from the NJSBDC at Rutgers-Camden, they were able to have enough start-up and working capital to get the business off the ground. The owners also received assistance with a variety of innovative marketing strategies to maximize its customer base. If monthly trends continue, Chocomize expects December 2010 revenues to be 10 times that of last December's. | | · | | | Aminata Dukuray launched African Secrets, LLC in 2004. An immigrant from Sierra Leone, she developed an ointment of shea butter and other herbs and a shampoo using these and other minerals from her native land to help her child's skin condition. She then developed cosmetics and with assistance from the NJSBDC at Rutgers-Newark put together a business plan and secured a micro-loan. Today, her products are in nine Wal-Mart stores in northern New Jersey, and she has introduced 17 different products and a new line of skin lotion. In addition, she has acquired office, manufacturing and storage space in East Orange, NJ. | | · | | | Helen Grundmann established Helen Grundmann Garden Design in 2005. Located in Frenchtown, NJ, this landscaping design company offers specialized services including organic and other pest protection and management assistance. In 2006 as the company started to grow, Grundmann contacted the NJSBDC at Raritan Valley Community College for assistance with the financial aspects of the business and was guided on recordkeeping procedures, general ledger development and financial reporting using Quickbooks. She has increased her sales fourfold since opening her doors and has been featured in magazines for her gardens and landscape design work. | | · | | | Applied Photovoltaics, LLC in Pennington, NJ, led by partners Jeffrey Szczepanski and Robert Lyndall, provides services in the areas of consulting, equipment engineering, design and construction, solar electricity generating equipment sales, solar energy installation engineering and applications. The company received assistance from the NJSBDC at the College of New Jersey in developing its business plan and financial forecast. In January 2010, the company was chosen as the only New Jersey recipient of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for the establishment of an Advanced Energy Manufacturing facility, which will create 25 new jobs. | | · | | | Alia and Isa Suqi founded NextwaveWeb, a printing business, in August 2003. They turned to the NJSBDC at William Paterson University for guidance on product pricing and small business loans. They purchased a printing shop in 2005 and began printing all jobs in-house. The Paterson-based company since has grown to six full-time employees and one part-time worker, and also has retained additional sales representatives. Its client list includes Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, Clinique, and some state and local colleges. With the award of SBA loans, the firm has upgraded its equipment and machinery and annual sales are expected to exceed $2 million in 2010. | | · | | | Computer Images Web, LLC located in Washington, NJ designs websites and has grown to include some of the largest clients in northwest New Jersey. Andrea and Steve Kirchuk came to the NJSBDC of Northwest Jersey for assistance with marketing strategies and outreach campaigns. By attending training sessions and obtaining counseling in these areas, their investment of time has resulted in positive growth for the company. The firm has more than doubled its staff during these tough economic times. |
NJSBDC Advocate Awards will be presented to Assemblyman Albert Coutinho, chairman of the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee (District 29 - parts of Essex and Union counties); Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini (District 12 - part of Monmouth County); Assemblyman David Wolfe, Deputy Republican Leader (District 10 - parts of Monmouth and Ocean counties); and Senator Brian P. Stack, vice-chairman of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee (District 33 - part of Hudson County).
"These state lawmakers have provided tremendous support for the NJSBDC's mission and their commitment is invaluable," says Smarth. "We believe it is important for the NJSBDC to recognize their support for small business growth in New Jersey."
About NJSBDC
The New Jersey Small Business Development Centers network, comprised of 11 centers across the state, provides comprehensive services and programs for small business in New Jersey, helping businesses expand their operations, manage their growth or start new ventures. NJSBDC is an accredited member of the national Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC), America's leading network for small business assistance, job creation and retention. The NJSBDC non-profit network is a federal-state-educational partnership, leveraging public and private funding sources to maximize resources for the small business community. The NJSBDC network leverages funding from the Small Business Administration (SBA), New Jersey State Government and the educational institutions that host its 11 centers, as well as other private funding. Rutgers Business School - Newark & New Brunswick is the host for NJSBDC Headquarters and the NJSBDC at Rutgers-Newark. |
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