GOOD ISN’T GOOD ENOUGH. SBM
ST. LOUIS
PRESENTS BEST IN BUSINESS 2010: Because your business can’t settle for anything less
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We help you grow your small business. “For any small company, I would strongly recommend joining forces with the Economic Council. It provides resources and expertise that would cost thousands of dollars elsewhere. These savings allow companies like ours to reinvest in growing our products and services.” Steve Smith, co-owner InStyle Software Charlie A. Dooley, St. Louis County Executive Denny Coleman, President & CEO, SLCEC • 314.615.7664 • www.slcec.com
CONTENTS
GOOD ISN’T GOOD ENOUGH.
Feature
3 The Best in Business Our readers have spoken. We listened. We present to you St. Louis’ Best in Business in 12 categories. The next time you need to find a business partner, consider using one of the listed companies. A Directory to the Best in Business 3 4 6 8 10 12 14
Best Small Bank Best Large Bank Best Accounting Firm Best Law Firm Best PR Firm Best Customer Service Best Place to Hold a Meeting
16 18 20 22 24
Best in Reliability Best Credit Union Best IT Firm Best Web Design Best Restaurant to Schmooze a Client
St. Louis Small Business Monthly 2451 Executive Dr., Suite 109 | St. Charles, MO 63303
314.569.0076 phone | 314.432.7016 fax info@sbmon.com | www.sbmon.com The St. Louis Small Business Monthly is available at no charge at over 300 locations throughout the Metro St. Louis area. Visit our website to find the location nearest you. To receive a copy directly by mail, send $21.50 for one year, $35.50 for two years or $45.50 for three years to the address above.
© St. Louis Small Business Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.
More Great Stuff 26 Programs for Financing Your Business 31 Minority/Women Owned Businesses 36 Legal 41 Resources Index 46 Resources
More About Us St. Louis Small Business Monthly is St. Louis’ locally owned business publication, bringing business tips, strategies and analysis to the presidents, CEOs, owners and top executives of 19,000 businesses in the St. Louis Metropolitan region. SBM, founded in 1988, publishes every month and also provides information via the Internet at www.SBMon.com and through a variety of business-related forums.
A LETTER JUST FOR YOU
Don’t Settle for Mediocre
R
emember that last trip you took? Remember how you approached the concierge at your pricey hotel and asked, ‘Could you recommend a mediocre Italian restaurant?’ Or, how about when you decided to look for a 2-star hair dresser? Maybe you’ll recall the time you placed a want ad in search of a “slightly better than average” salesperson. No. You don’t remember. Why? Because “good” is not what you demand. You ask for the best. And why not? You deserve it, don’t you? As a business “Most businesses owner, you face decisions daily. And don’t run making the best out of decision is critical money. to your success. So, They run out of why waste your time time.” with anything less Dick Sacks, than the best? Entrepreneur’s As our Corner columnist Entrepreneur’s Corner columnist and small business champion Dick Sacks says, “Most businesses don’t run out of money. They run out of time.” To save you time, we have compiled a list of what our readers identified as St. Louis’ Best in Business in 12 different categories. Each category features advice from the Best of the Best and the Top Finalists - again, chosen by you, the reader. When calling on these companies, your expectations should be higher than usual...they are the unusual. They are the best. Also, in an effort to save you more time, we have created a list of the area’s resources for entrepreneurs just like you. St. Louis is full of people who want to help you take your business to the next level. You can’t afford to ignore them. Take advantage of what is available and enjoy the entrepreneurial ride. - The SBM Editorial Staff
Lending to small businesses is a #1 priority for us
At U.S. Bank, we realize that the success of small businesses like yours drives the American economy. That’s why your success is a #1 priority for US. To help you succeed, we’ve developed a variety of flexible business solutions designed to keep cash flowing and businesses growing. And, it’s backed by the expertise and stability of one of America’s strongest banks. •
Working Capital Lines of Credit • Owner & Investment Real Estate • Treasury Management Services • Payment Solutions
Visit your local U.S. Bank today and we’ll help you get the type of financing solution you need to grow your business. Mona Nanda Sales Manager 314-416-2512
Michael Pulliam Sales Manager 636-391-4289
Cathy Filanda Business Banking 314-418-2340
usbank.com All applications are subject to normal credit approval. Call your business banking expert for current rates and terms. Standard fees apply. Refinance of existing U.S. Bank business loans are excluded. Member FDIC.
B
You are more than your credit score...
Best Small Banks
banks
Sandy Washington, senior vice president, small business banking at Commerce Bank, tackles a question from our readers:
THE BEST OF THE BEST
Pulaski Bank
FREE ADVICE
WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON MISTAKE BUSINESS OWNERS MAKE AND HOW SHOULD THEY WORK AROUND IT? The biggest mistake owners make is that they have been with the same bank and had the same account for a long time, and they don’t examine new products and services to see if there is anything better for them.
Business owners should take the opportunity to meet their banker
WHAT IS THE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU HAVE FOR BUSINESS OWNERS? Business owners should take the opportunity to meet their banker, and they should check out remote deposit services. It saves time and money, and it is a convenient service.
314.878.2210 888.649.3320 www.pulaskibankstl.com
THE TOP FINALISTS
Royal Banks of Missouri
Enterprise Bank and Trust
13171 Olive Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63141 314.212.1650 www.royalbanksofmo.com
150 North Meramec Ave. Clayton, MO 63105 314.725.5500 www.enterprisebank.com
How Much Can I Negotiate The Terms Of My Business Loan? Clearly, the key to getting a business loan lies with your credit score, cash flow and collateral. The relationship you have with your bank, however, may provide you with the ability to negotiate a better interest rate or term or reduced fees. Like companies that sell other types of products and services, banks have standard pricing based on the amount of risk they take, but they also take into consideration the relationship they have with you.
SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide 3
B
The right banker is a great business partner.
Best Large Banks
While you are out conquering the world, don’t let your personal finances become a mess
banks
SIX PERSONAL FINANCE MISTAKES
THE BEST OF THE BEST
U.S. Bank WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON MISTAKE BUSINESS OWNERS MAKE AND HOW SHOULD THEY WORK AROUND IT?
A TIP FROM THE BEST
One mistake small business owners make is they start out under capitalized and try to make up for the lack of equity capital with debt. The debt creates serious risk for the business the first time there is a slow down in the economy.
If you see trouble on the horizon, call your banker.
WHAT IS THE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU HAVE FOR BUSINESS OWNERS? If you see trouble on the horizon, call your banker. The more we know and the earlier we know it, the better our chances of being able to make arrangements to get through the tough times.
314.505.8110 800.673.3555 www.usbank.com
CEOs are often so concerned about their business’ finances that their personal finances fall by the wayside. Keep your personal finances on track by avoiding these commonly made mistakes: Mismanaging personal credit Paying themselves an unreasonable salary Not hiring personal financial planners
THE TOP FINALISTS
Regions Bank
Commerce Bank
8182 Maryland Ave. St. Louis, MO 63105 314.615.2300 www.regions.com
8000 Forsyth Blvd. St. Louis 63105 314.726.8700 www.commercebank.com
Investing only in their business Having inadequate personal insurance Overlooking an exit strategy
4 SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide
THE LIST BEST BANKS COMPANY
CONTACT INFORMATION
Business Bank of St. Louis
314.721.8003 | 8000 Maryland Ave. Clayton 63105 | www.bbstl.com
Carrollton Bank
314.678.2340 | 5807 Murdoch St. Louis 63109 | www.carrolltonbanking.com
Commerce Bank
314.726.8700 | 8000 Forsyth Blvd. St. Louis 63105 | www.commercebank.com
Commercial Bank
314.434.4141 | 2330 West Port Plaza Dr. St. Louis 63146 | www.commercialbank-stl.com
Enterprise Bank & Trust
314.725.5500 | 150 North Meramec Ave. Clayton 63105 | www.enterprisebank.com
Fifth Third Bank
314.889.3300 | 8000 Maryland Ave., #1400 St. Louis 63105 | www.53.com
First National Bank of St. Louis
314.862.8300 | 7707 Forsyth Blvd. St. Louis 63105 | www.fnbstl.com
Lindell Bank
314.645.7700 | 6900 Clayton Ave. St. Louis 63139 | www.lindellbank.com
Midwest BankCentre
314.631.5500 | 2191 Lemay Ferry Rd. St. Louis 63125 | www.midwestbankcentre.com
National City Bank, now part of PNC
314.802.0058 | 7801 Forsyth Blvd. Clayton 63105 | www.nationalcity.com
Parkside Financial Bank & Trust
314.290.8600 | 8112 Maryland Ave., Ste. 101 St. Louis 63105 | www.parksidepath.com
Pulaski Bank
314.878.2210 | 12300 Olive Blvd. Creve Coeur 63141 | www.pulaskibankstl.com
Regions Bank
314.615.2300 | 8182 Maryland Ave. St. Louis 63105 | www.regions.com
Reliance Bank
314.569.7200 | 10401 Clayton Rd. St. Louis 63131 | www.reliancebankstl.com
Royal Banks of Missouri
314.212.1650 | 13171 Olive Blvd. St. Louis 63141 | www.royalbanksofmo.com
St. Johns Bank & Trust Co.
314.428.1000 | 8924 St. Charles Rock Rd. St. Louis 63114 | www.stjohnsbank.com
Southern Commercial Bank
314.481.6800 | 4914 Gravois Rd. St. Louis 63116 | www.southerncommercialbankstl.com
UMB Bank
314.612.8170 | 2 S. Broadway St. Louis 63102 | www.umb.com
U.S. Bank
314.505.8110 | 10 N. Hanley Rd. Clayton 63105 | www.usbank.com
Our formula for your sales success is simple
Better Communication Improved Methods day! Call to st r Your fi lt is consu ! FREE
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Saint Louis Business Development Fund (SLBDF) co-invests with Saint Louis Private Fund in selected, growing companies in Missouri and Illinois that demonstrate significant potential for success and view the Funds’ investment as an attractive alternative to venture capital or other forms of equity investments. SLBDF is a private, forprofit corporation owned by 28 St. Louis area banks, St. Louis County Economic Council, St. Louis Development Corporation, and Economic Development Center of St. Charles County.
St. Louis Biofuels, LLC manufactures biodiesel fuel from soybean oil, animal fats and recycled vegetable oils and recently expanded with an investment from Saint Louis Business Development Fund.
www.slbdf.com vtvolpe@slbdf.com | 314.402.3538
ys’ CluOwnb?ers Women Business What St.OLouilds’ TopBo
Mike Shannahan, president of Cynergy Ergonomics, had the confidence to take a long-term approach to his business and pricing strategy. Learn how he did it.
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Name ____________________________________________________________ Title ______________ Company ____________________________________________________________________________
A
Get used to running your business by the numbers.
Best Accounting Firms
accounting
THE BEST OF THE BEST
Brown Smith Wallace What is the latest trend in the industry and how does it affect business owners? Protecting data is becoming more of a priority than ever before. Cutting costs and preventing fraud have always been challenges in tough economic times. Now we are seeing frequent requests for cost effective solutions in securing proprietary company and customer data. The expansion of mobile technology has fueled this challenge, and companies need to include this in their control processes.
INDUSTRY TREND
Protecting data is becoming more of a priority than ever before.
WHAT is your motivation for helping local business owners grow? It’s fulfilling to see clients succeed. We benefit as they become larger clients, and our staff realize greater opportunities to grow professionally.
314.983.1200 888.279.2792 www.bswllc.com
THE TOP FINALISTS
RubinBrown One North Brentwood Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63105 314.290.3300 www.rubinbrown.com
6 SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide
Anders Minkler & Diehl LLP 705 Olive Street, 10th Floor St. Louis, MO 63101 314.655.5500 www.amdcpa.com
A St. Louis Accountant’s Best Advice
STAY INFORMED TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS “Never stop learning. Every year there are new government regulations that ultimately impact your business either directly or indirectly. However, with those regulations come new opportunities that may not have existed in the past. Ensure that you remain informed of those regulations to make the necessary adjustments to continue and to succeed.” Ricardo Vigil, RubinBrown LLP.
THE LIST BEST ACCOUNTING FIRMS COMPANY
CONTACT INFORMATION
Abeles and Hoffman P.C.
314.991.4770 | 9666 Olive Blvd., Ste. 625 St. Louis 63132 | www.ahcpa.com
Anders Minkler & Diehl LLP
314.655.5500 | 705 Olive St., 10th Floor St. Louis 63101 | www.amdcpa.com
Brown Smith Wallace LLC
314.983.1200 | 1050 North Lindbergh Blvd. St. Louis 63132 | www.bswllc.com
Becker and Rosen
314.725.0324 | 8008 Carondolet Ave., Ste. 214 Clayton 63105 | www.brcpallc.com
Bergman Schraier & Co., P.C.
314.432.2002 | 9666 Olive Blvd., Ste. 710 St. Louis 63132 | www.bergman-schraier.com
Conner Ash P.C.
314.205.2510 | 12101 Woodcrest Executive Dr., Ste. 300 Creve Couer 63141 | www.connerash.com
Humes & Barrington LLP
314.966.6622 | 333 S. Kirkwood, Ste. 300 St. Louis 63122 | www.humbar.com
Kerbel, Eck & Braeckel LLP
314.231.6232 | One Memorial Dr., Ste. 950 St. Louis 63102 | www.kebcpa.com
Lopata, Flegel & Company LLP
314.514.8881 | 600 Mason Ridge Center Dr., Ste. 100 St. Louis 63141 | www.lfco-cpa.com
Maher and Company P.C.
314.726.0626 | 101 South Hanley, Ste. 1325 St. Louis 63105 | www.maherco.com
Milhouse & Neal LLP
314.995.6900 | 40 Weldon Parkway Maryland Heights 63043 | www.mn-cpa.com
Mortland & Company P.C.
314.725.3515 | 225 S. Meramec Ave., Ste. 621 St. Louis 63105 | www.mortlandco.com
Mueller Prost PC
314.862.2070 | 1034 S. Brentwood, Ste.1700 St. Louis 63117 | www.muellerprost.com
Philip G. Brumbaugh CPA, CVA
314.984.8500 | 13358 Manchester Rd., Ste. 109 Des Peres 63131 | www.brumbaughcpa.com
Poppen & Associates CPAs, P.C.
314.961.2070 | 9012 Manchester Rd. St. Louis 63144 | www.poppencpas.com
Purk & Associates, P.C.
314.884.4000 | 1034 S. Brentwood Blvd., Ste. 2000 St. Louis 63117 | www.purkpc.com
Pritchard Osborne LLC
314.862.6655 | 231 S. Bemiston Ave., Ste. 1120 St. Louis 63105 | www.pritchardosborne.com
Rackers & Fernandez LLC
636.498.1900 | 334 Jungermann Rd. St. Peters 63376 | www.rf-llc.com
RubinBrown LLP
314.290.3300 | One N. Brentwood Blvd., Ste. 1199 St. Louis 63105 | www.rubinbrown.com
Schmersahl Treloar & Co.
314.966.2727 | 3660 S. Geyer Rd., #200 St. Louis 63127 | www.stcpa.com
Schowalter & Jabouri PC
314.842.2929 | 11777 Gravois Rd. St. Louis 63127 | www.sjcpa.com
Stone Carlie
314.889.1100 | 101 S. Hanley, Ste. 800 St. Louis 63105 | www.stonecarlie.com
Swink, Fiehler & Company, P.C.
314.842.2001 | 3890 South Lindbergh Blvd., Ste. 200 Sunset Hills 63127 | www.sfccpa.com
UHY Advisors
314.615.1200 | 15 Sunnen Dr., Ste. 100 St. Louis 63143 | www.uhy-us.com
Named one of the Best Accounting Firms in St. Louis for 2010. Jonathan Becker, CPA, named one of the Top Ten St. Louis Accountants for 2010. We believe that “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” Visit our website or call today for more information on services we provide that can help you plan to succeed!
Certified Public Accountants and Advisors 8008 Carondelet Ave., Ste. 214, Clayton, MO 63105 (314) 725-0324 | fax: (314) 727-2970 | www.brcpallc.com
St. Louis Business Exam, Question #11 Why advertise in St. Louis Small Business Monthly? Because you: A. understand the importance of thriving local businesses B. can’t wait until the Spring and Fall St. Louis Business Expos C. want to leverage the buying power of 70,000 business owners D. are smart with your marketing dollars E. ALL OF THE ABOVE
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A+ ! Great Job
sbmon.com • 314.569.0076
SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide 7
L
If you don’t know your rights, you have no rights.
Best Law Firms
legal
BENEFIT
THE BEST OF THE BEST
- from a -
BUSINESS LAWYER’S EXPERTISE
Armstrong Teasdale What is the latest trend in the industry and how does it affect business owners?
KEEPING COSTS PREDICTABLE
Developing alternative fee arrangements to the billable hour method is a current trend in the legal industry. For nearly a decade, Armstrong Teasdale has been sensitive to the needs of clients to manage costs and we have developed a variety of alternate billing arrangements. Because of our history, we have an understanding of what works and what does not. Keys to successful alternative arrangements include flexibility, a willingness to share risk as well as reward and most importantly, communication. This is of benefit to businesses that are looking for the best possible counsel but at the same time trying to maintain predictability in costs.
Keys to successful alternative arrangements include flexibility, a willingness to share risk as well as reward and most importantly, communication.
314.621.5070 800.243.5070 www.armstrongteasdale.com
THE TOP FINALISTS
Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP
Sandberg Phoenix & Von Gontard PC
Carondelet Plaza St Louis, MO 63105 314.480.1500 www.huschblackwell.com
600 Washington Avenue, 15th Floor St. Louis, MO 63101 314.231.3332 www.sandbergphoenix.com
8 SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide
“In today’s business and legal environment, the sooner you see a business lawyer concerning your small business and its operations, generally, the better off you will be. There are very few who could argue with the fact that having more information and knowledge earlier in the process, in advance of potential legal problems, is better than having to hire an attorney to deal with a problem after it arises.”
Thomas A. Federer, Federer & Federer, PC
THE LIST BEST LAW FIRMS COMPANY
CONTACT INFORMATION
Affinity Law Group, LLC
314.872.3333 | 755 South New Ballas Rd., Ste. 140 St. Louis 63141 | www.affinitylawgrp.com
Armstrong Teasdale LLP
314.621.5070 | 7700 Forsyth Blvd., Ste. 1800 St. Louis 63105 | www.armstrongteasdale.com
Berry and Maxson
314.480.5881 | 16150 Main Circle Dr., Ste. 120 Chesterfield 63017 | www.berrymaxson.com
Carmody MacDonald
314.854.8600 | 120 South Central Ave., Ste. 1800 St Louis, MO 63105 | www.carmodymacdonald.com
Cavanagh & Hartweger
314.721.0900 | 120 South Central Ave., Ste. 420 St. Louis 63105 | www.cavanaghhartweger.com
Danna McKitrick, PC
314.726.1000 | 7701 Forsyth Blvd., Ste. 800 St. Louis 63105 | www.dannamckitrick.com
Dubail Judge
314.714.5548 | 275 North Lindbergh Blvd. St. Louis 63141 | www.dubailjudge.com
Evans & Dixon
314.621.7755 | 515 Olive St., Ste. 1100 St. Louis 63101 | www.evans-dixon.com
Federer & Federer, P.C.
636.530.1400 | 17998 Chesterfield Airport Rd., Ste. 204 St. Louis 63005 | www.federerlaw.com
Gallop Johnson & Neuman LC
314.615.6000 | 101 S. Hanley, Ste. 1700 St. Louis 63105 | www.gjn.com
Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale PC
314.241.9090 | 10 S. Broadway, Ste. 2000 St. Louis 63102 | www.greensfelder.com
Guilfoil Petzall & Shoemake, LLC
314.241.6890 | 100 S. Fourth St., Ste. 500 St. Louis 63102 | www.gpslegal.com
Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP
314.480.1500 | 190 Carondelet Plaza, Ste. 600 St. Louis 63105 | www.huschblackwell.com
Kortenhof McGlynn
314.621.5757 | 1015 Locust St., Ste. 710 St. Louis 63101 | www.kortenhofmcglynn.com
Kretmar, Beatty & Sandza
314.721.8685 | 2025 S. Brentwood., Ste. 20 St. Louis 63144
Lashly & Baer, PC
314.621.2939 | 714 Locust St. St. Louis 63101 | www.lashlybaer.com
Lathrop & Gage LC
314.613.2500 | 10 S. Broadway, Ste. 1300 St. Louis 63102 | www.lathropgage.com
Miller Salsbury Law Firm
636.938.9877 | 925 West Fifth St. Eureka 63025 | www.millersalsbury.com
Polsinelli Shughart PC
314.889.8000 | 100 S. Fourth St., Ste. 1000 St. Louis 63102 | www.polsinelli.com
Polster, Lieder, Woodruff & Lucchesi
314.238.2400 | 12412 Powerscourt Dr., Ste. 200 St. Louis 63131 | www.patpro.com
Sandberg Phoenix & von Gontard PC
314.231.3332 | 600 Washington Ave., 15th Floor St. Louis 63101 | www.spvg.com
The Lowenbaum Partnership LLC
314.863.0092 | 222 S. Cetral Ave., Ste. 901 Clayton 63105 | www.lowenbaumlaw.com
The Stolar Partnership LLP
314.231.2800 | 911 Washington Ave. St. Louis 63101 | www.stolarlaw.com
The Tate Law Firm
314.726.6495 | 7751 Carondelet Ave. St. Louis 63105
Thompson Coburn LLP
314.552.6000 | 1 US Bank Plaza St. Louis 63101 | www.thompsoncoburn.com
Real Estate Attorneys Real Estate Attorneys
FOR ALL OF YOUR REAL FOR ALL OF YOUR REAL ESTATE LEGAL NEEDS ESTATE NEEDS With LEGAL a strong family tradition of excellence in the St. Louis real estate
With a strong family tradition of P.C. gives industry, Federer & Federer, excellence clients in the the St. benefit Louis real estate of real estate and business & attorneys with overgives 100 years industry, Federer Federer, P.C. combined legalestate experience. clients theofbenefit of real and Federer & Federer, P.C.over represents a diverse business attorneys with 140 years range of clients including investors, of combined legal experience. Federer & business owners, homeowners, Federer, P.C. represents a diverse range of clients including business owners, lenders, contractors, subcontractors, homeowners, investors, property managers, contractors, developers, subcontractors, builders, title companies, estateappraisers, brokers, agents, and other builders, title companies, real estate brokers &real agents, engineers, real needs estate inprofessionals and other real estate professionals with their legal the areas ofwith real their needs in thebusiness areas of law real estate estate law and litigation, construction law and legal litigation, and law and litigation, construction law and litigation. Call to discuss your options today! and litigation, and business law and litigation. Call us today!
FEDERER & FEDERER, P.C.
Helping to meet all your real estate and business legal needs. Helping to meet all your real estate legal needs. 17998 Chesterfield Airport Rd., Ste 204 17998 Chesterfield Airport Rd., Ste 204 Chesterfield, MO 63005
Chesterfield, MO 63005
636.530.1400 636.530.1400
201 S. Fifth Street Fifth Street St. Charles, 201 MO S. 63301
St. Charles, MO 63301 636.949.2424 636.949.2424
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.
www.federerlaw.com www.federerlaw.com
Best Law Firm in St. Louis & Best in Reliability Voted Among Top 24 by St. Louis Small Business Monthly Readers in 2009 and 2010
Affinity Law Group, LLC thanks: the Small Business Monthly for its commitment to deliver valuable information to small business owners and executives; and our clients, colleagues and friends for recognizing our commitment to deliver value in the form of timely, affordable and superior legal services for business owners and executives. Please join us in welcoming the newest member of the Affinity team, Asim S. Raza!
755 S. New Ballas, Suite 140 | St. Louis, Mo 63141 314.872.3333 Telephone | 314.872.3365 Facsimile
www.affinitylawgrp.com The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. This disclosure is required by rule of the Supreme Court of Missouri.
SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide 9
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Get people familiar with your brand and what you can offer.
Best PR Firms
public relations
THE BEST OF THE BEST
The Vandiver Group WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON MISTAKE BUSINESS OWNERS MAKE AND HOW SHOULD THEY WORK AROUND IT?
YOU HAVE TO ADAPT
“Businesses big and small must react to the changing economy. If you’re still trying to do business the way you did just five years ago, your path to success may be blocked. Adapting to business conditions, client needs and new ideas, are key to business success,” says Donna Vandiver, president and CEO of The Vandiver Group.
If you’re still trying to do business the way you did five years ago, your path to success may be blocked.
Pam Lontos, president of PR/PR, an Orlando-based public relations firm, refutes popular myths.
7 PUBLICITY MYTHS THAT CAN HURT YOUR BUSINESS Myth #1 I need to own a “big” business to get the media’s attention. Myth #2 My business will be a household name from one big hit.
WHAT IS SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR COMPANY THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW?
Myth #3 I need to use big words to impress the interviewer.
“The idea of starting the company came to me on the beach more than 17 years ago. Today, we’re proud to have grown into one of the recognized best firms in St. Louis,” says Vandiver.
Myth #4 I need a unique insight.
314.991.4641 www.vandivergroup.com
Myth #5 I can’t get my business into that publication.
THE TOP FINALISTS
KolbeCo Marketing
I. Salsman PR
1676 Bryan Road, Suite 113 Dardenne Prairie, MO 63368 636.379.3895 www.kolbeco.net
8025 Maryland Avenue St. Louis, MO 63105 314.495.3017 www.isalsmanpr.com
10 SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide
Myth #6 Small publications don’t matter. Myth #7 I don’t need print publicity now that I have profiles on social media sites.
THE LIST BEST PR FIRMS COMPANY
CONTACT INFORMATION
AMM Communications
314.485.9499 | 12420 S. Outer 40 Dr. St. Louis 63141 | www.ammcommunications.com
AMP Creative Company
314.726.6111 | 353 Marshall Ave., Ste. N Webster Grove 63119 | www.ampcreativeco.com
Apogee Public Affairs
314.324.8567 | 16150 Eads Ave., St. Louis 63104
Black Twig Communications
314.255.2340 | 7711 Bonhomme, #400 St. Louis 63105 | www.blacktwigllc.com
Casey Communications
314.721.2828 | 8301 Maryland., #350 St. Louis 63105 | www.caseycomm.com
Clayton-Davis & Associates
314.862.7800 | 230 S. Bemiston Ave. St. Louis 63105 | www.claytondavis.com
Centrex Strategies
314.241.5001 | 906 Olive St., St. Louis 63101
Common Ground Public Relations
636.530.1235 | 16690 Swingley Ridge Rd., Ste. 220 Chesterfield 63017 | www.commongroundpr.com
Fleishman-Hillard, Inc.
314.982.1700 | 200 North Broadway St. Louis 63102 | www.fleishmanhillard.com
Foray Communications
314.862.6232 | 7740 Stanford Ave St. Louis 63130 | www.foraycom.com
Geile-Leon Marketing Communications
314.727.5850 | 130 S. Bemiston, Ste. 800 St. Louis 63105 | www.geileon.com
Hughes Inc.
314.571.6300 | 1141 S. 7th St. St. Louis 63104 | www.hughes-stl.com
I. Salsman PR
314.495.3017 | 8025 Maryland Ave. St. Louis 63105 | www.isalsmanpr.com
KolbeCo Marketing Resources
636.379.3895 | 1676 Bryan Rd., Ste. 113 Dardenne Prairie 63368 | www.kolbeco.net
Leapfrog Marketing
314.368.1228 | P.O. Box 636 St. Peters 63376 | www.lfmcreative.com
Lents & Associates
314.968.3060 | 1750 S. Brentwood, Ste. 552. St. Louis 63144
PSG Marketing Solutions
314.994.3806 | 501 N. Lindbergh, Ste. 100 St. Louis 63141 | www.psgmarketing.com
Solomon/Turner Public Relations
314.205.0800 | www.solomonturner.com
Standing Partnership
314.469.3500 | 540 Maryville Centre Drive, Ste. 100 St. Louis 63141 | www.standingpr.com
Traffic PRM
314.968.7712 | info@traffic-prm.com traffic-prm.com
The Vandiver Group
314.991.4641 | 510 Maryville Centre Drive, Suite 320 St. Louis 63141 | www.vandivergroup.com
YOU ONLY GET ONE CHANCE TO MAKE A FIRST IMPRESSION.
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MAKE IT A MEMORABLE ONE. We are a creative communications company dedicated to helping clients achieve their goals. Voted one of the Top 3 PR firms for 2010. Branding Advertising Media relations Direct mail Copy writing Internet marketing Graphic design Events
314.640.9033 | 106 W. Madison Ave., Ste. 240 St. Louis 63122 | www.workman-company.com
Vector Communications
314.621.5566 | 701 N 15th St., Mailbox 43 St. Louis 63103 | www.vectorstl.com
Weber Shandwick
314.436.6565 | 555 Washington Ave. St. Louis 63101 | www.webershandwick.com
Call for a free consultation.
8025 Maryland Ave. Clayton, MO 63105 314.495.3017 www.isalsmanpr.com
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Name ____________________________________________________________ Title ______________ Company ____________________________________________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________________________________
C
customer service
What is something that every business claims to have, but few do?
Best Customer Service
1. Establish a vision of what exceptional customer focus means in your organization.
THE BEST OF THE BEST
Shred-It What is the one piece of advice you have for business owners? “Have a passion for the product or service that you provide and spend a vast amount of time and resources to get the right team to deliver your vision for the company. I would also suggest that you have to put a huge emphasis on sales within your company....Sell. Sell. Sell,” says Jeff Germann, general manager, Shred-It.
COFFEE IS FOR CLOSERS
You have to put a huge emphasis on sales within your company...Sell. Sell. Sell.
WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON MISTAKE BUSINESS OWNERS MAKE AND HOW SHOULD THEY WORK AROUND IT? “Not maintaining an ongoing relationship with clients. Contact each customer regularly,” says Germann.
314.995.9099 877.247.4733 www.shredit.com
THE TOP FINALISTS
Universal Business Supply 4344 Rider Trl N, #C Earth City, MO 63045 314.298.0153 www.universalbusinesssupply.com
12 SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide
5 RULES FOR A CUSTOMERFOCUSED CULTURE
Brown Smith Wallace LLC 1050 North Lindbergh Blvd. St Louis, MO 63132-2912 314.983.1200 www.bswllc.com
2. Communicate the financial advantages of implementing a customer-focused strategy. 3. Understand the impact your current systems and policies have on your employees’ ability to focus on the customer’s needs. 4. Develop ways to find out what the customer’s idea of exceptional service and product performance really are. 5. Determine what needs to be measured in order to sustain the new customer focused culture. An excerpt from the article, The Key To Your Company’s Long Term Success: Exceptional Customer Focus by Jack Hoffmann
THE LIST BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE COMPANY
CONTACT INFORMATION
AnswerMidwest
618.463.9093 |307 Henry St., Ste. 207 Alton, IL 62002 | www.answermidwest.com
Brown Smith Wallace
314.983.1200 | 1050 North Lindbergh Blvd. St. Louis 63132 | www.bswllc.com
Butler’s Pantry
314.664.7680 | 1414 Park Ave. St. Louis 63104 | www.butlerspantry.com
Centrue Bank
314.505.5505 | 7700 Bonhomme Ave. St. Louis 63105 | www.centrue.com
Clean, The Uniform Company
314.421.1220 | 1316 S. 7th St. St. Louis 63104 | www.cleanuniform.com
Conner Ash, P.C.
314.205.2510 | 12101 Woodcrest Executive Dr. Ste. 300 Creve Couer 63141 | www.connerash.com
Da-Com Corporation
314.442.2800 | 5317 Knights of Columbus Dr. St. Louis 63119 | www.da-com.com
EPC Computers
636.443.1999 | 3941 Harry S Truman Blvd. St. Charles 63301 | www.epcusa.com
Fifth Third Bank
314.889.3302 | 8000 Maryland Ave. St. Louis 63105 | www.53.com
Global Products International, Inc.
636.939.1622 | 21 Cherokee Dr. St. Peters 63376 | www.globalproductsinc.com
Hampton Corporate Suites
314.567.0027 | 9701 Dielman Rock Island Industrial Dr. Olivette 63132 | www.hamptoncorporatesuites.com
Integrated Payroll Services
314.821.0600 | 13100 Manchester Rd., Ste. 200 St. Louis 63131 | www.ipsonline.net
Kenrick’s Meat and Catering
314.631.2440 | 4324 Weber Rd. St. Louis 63123 | www.kenricks.com
MediNurse
314.781.2800 | 12852 Manchester Rd. St. Louis 63131 | www.medinurse.com
Midwest BankCentre
314.631.5500 | 2191 Lemay Ferry Rd. St. Louis 63125 | www.midwestbankcentre.com
Price Technology Group
314.997.8916 | 1228 Dielman Industrial Ct. St. Louis 63132 | www.price2.com
Pulaski Bank
314.878.2210 | 12300 Olive Blvd. Creve Coeur 63141 | www.pulaskibankstl.com
Quilogy
636.947.9393 | 117 South Main St. St. Charles 63301 | www.quilogy.com
Royal Banks of Missouri
314.212.1500 | 13171 Olive Blvd. St. Louis 63141 | www.royalbanksofmo.com
Shred-It
314.995.9099 | 4801 Park 370 Blvd. Hazelwood 63042 | www.shredit.com
Stone Carlie
314.721.5800 | 101 South Hanley Rd. #800 St. Louis 63105 | www.stonecarlie.com
St. Johns Bank & Trust Co.
314.428.1059 | 8924 St. Charles Rock Rd. St. Louis 63114 | www.stjohnsbank.com
Thumbs Up Telemarketing, Inc.
314.821.8111 | 13545 Barrett Pkwy., Ste. 101 Ballwin 63021 | www.thumbsupinc.com
Universal Business Supply
314.298.0153 | 4344 Rider Trail North Earth City 63045 | www.universalbusinesssupply.com
Impressing Customers & Capturing Prospects One Call At A Time Since 1946 Throughout the years our operations have migrated to state-of-the-art solutions. Although we are high tech, we still provide high touch friendly and professional live operator assistance to your customers and prospects.
Services Designed To Meet Your Business Needs Increase Your Productivity And Never Miss A Call Inbound And Outbound Reservations, Orders, Surveys Proactive Customer Relationship Management National Award Winning Operators 24/7/365
Schedule A Complimentary Consultation Today 618/463.2430 877/463.2430 sales@answermidwest.com www.answermidwest.com Our only limitation is your imagination!
SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide 13
M meetings
Picking the right meeting venue means you will get fewer yawns.
Best Places to Hold a Meeting
THE BEST OF THE BEST
St. Charles Convention Center WHAT ARE THE LATEST TRENDS IN YOUR INDUSTRY AND HOW DO THEY AFFECT BUSINESS OWNERS?
IT’S WHOM YOU KNOW
Clients are looking for value in anything they purchase. We are constantly looking for ways to demonstrate that value, whether it’s through packaging items or promotions. Our ultimate goal is to provide a product that reflects well on the business.
Here is what Don ‘The Idea Guy’ Snyder, author of “Boring Meetings Suck” and “100-Whats of Creativity”, suggests to engage employees in business meetings:
636.669.3000
“The easiest way to liven up a business meeting is to hold a brief gathering toward the end of the business day, make it high-energy and humorous, end it ahead of schedule, and let the troops go home early,” says Snyder.
www.stcharlesconventioncenter.com
THE TOP FINALISTS
Windows On Washington
Orlando Gardens
701 North 15th Street St Louis, MO 63103 314.241.5555 www.wowbanquets.com
4300 Hoffmeister Ave. St. Louis, MO 63125 314.638.6660 www.orlandogardens.com
14 SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide
STOP BORING PEOPLE
Don’t underestimate the value of networking and networking events.
WHAT IS THE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU HAVE FOR BUSINESS OWNERS? Don’t underestimate the value of networking and networking events. Relationships are key!
So, we took a poll around the office, and no one likes your meetings.
THE LIST BEST PLACES TO HOLD A MEETING COMPANY
CONTACT INFORMATION
COMPANY
CONTACT INFORMATION
Andre’s Banquet Facilities
314.894.2622 | 4254 Telegraph Rd. St. Louis 62129 | www.andresbanquet.com
St. Louis Airport Marriott
314.423.9700 | 10700 Pear Tree St. Louis 63134 | www.stlouisairportmarriot.com
Applegate’s
314.968.6466 |1912 S. Brentwood St. Louis 63144 | www.applegatesdeli.com
St. Louis Bread Company
Lisa Bell | lisa.bell@panerabread.com Over 20 locations | www.panerabread.com
Café Demenil
314.771.5829 | 3352 Demenil Pl. St. Louis 63118 | www.cafedemenil.biz
Triumph Grill
314.446.1801 | 3419 Olive St. St. Louis 63103 | www.triumphgrill.com
Casa Loma Ballroom
314.664.8000 | 3354 Iowa Ave. St. Louis 63118 | www.casalomaballroom.com
Westport Conference Center
314.878.3322 | 600 Westport Plaza St. Louis 63146 | www.westportconferencecenter.com
Ces & Judy’s Catering
314.991.6700 | 10405 Clayton Rd. St. Louis 63131 | www.cesandjudys.com
Wild Horse Grill
636.532.8750 | 101 Chesterfield Towne Centre Chesterfield 63005 | www.wildhorsegrill.com
Coranado Ballroom
314.367.4848 | 3701 Lindell Blvd. St. Louis 63108 | www.thecoranado.com
Windows On Washington
314.241.5555 | 1601 Washington St. Louis 63103 | www.wowbanquets.com
Crowne Plaza St. Louis- Clayton
314.726.5400 | 7750 Carondelet Ave. St. Louis 63105 | www.cpclayton.com
Yacovelli’s Restaurant
314.839.1000 | 407 Dunn Rd. Florissant 63031 | www.yacovellis.com
Favazza’s Restaurant & Catering
314.772.4454 | 5201 Southwest Ave. St. Louis 63139 | www.favazzas.com
Friends, A Meeting Place
314.535.5800 | 716 N. Compton Ave. St. Louis 63103 | www.friendsameetingplace.com
Holiday Inn Southwest
314.821.6600 |10709 Watson Rd. St. Louis 63127 | www.hiviking.com
Innsbrook Resort & Conf. Center
636.745.3000 | 1 Aspen Circle Innsbrook 63390 | www.innsbrook.org
Kemoll’s/Top of the Met
314.421.0555 | 1 Metropolitan Square, 42nd Floor St. Louis 63102 | www.kemolls.com
Kemp Auto Museum
636.537.1718 | 16955 Chesterfield Airport Rd. Chesterfield 63005 | www.kempautomuseum.com
Lone Wolf Coffee Company
636.527.7027 | 15480 Clayton Rd., Suite 220 Ballwin 63011 | www.lonewolfcoffeecompany.com
Orlandos Gardens
314.638.6660 | 4300 Hoffmeister St. Louis 63125 | www.orlandogardens.com
Pujols 5 Westport Grill
314.439.0505 | 342 Westport Plaza St. Louis 63146 | www.pujols5grill.com
St. Charles Convention Center
Award-winning Business Consulting Develop real solutions for your business— no matter how small or large. Business consulting and advice by award-winning, seasoned business professionals. We help you to succeed in the competitive St. Louis marketplace.
Solutions for Your Business... For Business
Our solutions offer creative & effective approaches to: •Strategic & Business Plans •Market Analysis & Development •Financial Plans •Presentations •Business Writing •Operations Improvement
Richard A. Clark Principal
(Our most recent award: Third Place Winner in the 2010 St. Louis Regional Business Plan Competition presented by the St. Louis County Consulting & Support: Economic Council.)
P.O. Box 325 Contact: Richard Clark, Principal Eureka, MO 63025Office: 636-549-3413
Axxel
Mobile: 949-683-4563
Office: 636-549-3413 E-mail: raclark@axxelbusiness.com P.O. Box 325 Mobile: 949-683-4563 Eureka, MO 63025 636.669.3000 | 1 Convention CenterE-mail: Plaza axxelbusiness@aol.com
Business Solutions
St. Charles 63303 | www.stcharlesconventioncenter.com
Need affordable health coverage? We offer Health Coverage for: • Individuals without Group Coverage • Independent Contractors • Dependents and Students • COBRA/Alternative • Self-Employed • Small Businesses
NO OBLIGATION CONSULTATION OR QUOTE. For more information call.
STACY O'NEAL
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Authorized Agent
(314) 923-5568
1831 Chestnut St. stacy.oneal@anthem.com In Missouri, (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area) Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of RightCHOICE® Managed Care, Inc. (RIT), Healthy Alliance® Life Insurance Company (HALIC), and HMO Missouri, Inc. RIT and certain affiliates administer non-HMO benefits underwritten by HALIC and HMO benefits underwritten by HMO Missouri, Inc. RIT and certain affiliates only provide administrative services for self-funded plans and do not underwrite benefits. Independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ® ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide 15
R reliability
Our publisher, Ron Ameln gives a business owner’s perspective.
Creating a positive customer expectation
Best in Reliability
BUILD A MORE RELIABLE BUSINESS
THE BEST OF THE BEST
Kaldi’s Coffee Roasting Company
Getting
Naked a
Bu s i n e s s
faB L e …
about shedding the three fears that sabatoge client loyalty
Pat r i c k L e n c i o n i author of the New York Times BestseLLer The Five DYsFuNcTioNs oF A TeAm
What is SOMETHING about your company that most people don’t know? “My brother and husband travel all over the globe to source some of the world’s finest coffees. They work directly with the farmers. It creates a very transparent way to do business. We call it Relationship Coffee and there are only a few roasters doing this sort of thing across the nation,” says Tricia Zimmer Ferguson, partner at Kaldi’s Coffee Roasting Company. WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU HAVE FOR BUSINESS OWNERS? “It’s all about execution. That’s what seperates the great from the good,” says Zimmer Ferguson.
FAMILY ON THE GO
My brother and husband travel all over the globe to source some of the world’s finest coffees.
314.727.9991 888.892.6333 www.kaldiscoffee.com
THE TOP FINALISTS
Office Essentials
Tech Electronics
1834 Walton Rd. St. Louis, MO 63114 866.251.9802 www.oeistl.com
6437 Manchester Avenue St. Louis, MO 63139 314.645.6200 www.techelectronics.com
16 SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide
Suggested read: “Getting Naked: A Business Fable … About Shedding the Three Fears That Sabotage Client Loyalty” by Patrick Lencioni, Jossey-Bass, 2010 The premise: Learn to be vulnerable—to embrace uncommon levels of humility and transparency for the good of a client. The 3 fears: Lencioni explains how three fears provoke service providers to unknowingly sabotage their ability to build trust with clients.
THE LIST BEST IN RELIABILITY COMPANY
CONTACT INFORMATION
AccuPay APS Payroll Service
636.532.9510 | 400 Chesterfield Ctr., Ste. 400 Chesterfield 63017 | www.accupayaps.net
Affinity Law Group
314.872.3333 | 755 South New Ballas Road, Ste. 140 St. Louis 63141 | www.affinitylawgrp.com
Career Advancement Corporation
314.963.9797 | 9378 Olive Blvd., Ste. 101 St. Louis 63132 | www.careeradvancementcorp.com
Datotel
314.241.9101 | 710 N. Tucker St. Louis 63101 | www.datotel.com
DiscountCoffee.com
636.278.1900 | 501 North Service Rd. St. Peters 63376 | DiscountCoffee.com
First Bank
314.995.8700 | 11901 Olive Blvd. Creve Couer 63141 | www.firstbanks.com
Gray Design Group
314.646.0400 | 9 Sunnen Dr., Ste. 110 St. Louis 63143 | www.graydesigngroup.com
Ikon Document Services
314.241.6565 | 515 Olive St., Ste. 406 St. Louis 63101 | www.ikon.com
Kaldi’s Coffee Roasting Company
314.727.9991 | 700 St. Bernard’s Lane St. Louis 63110 | www.kaldiscoffee.com
Karpel Solutions Inc.
314.892.6300 | 5714 S. Lindbergh, Ste. 200 St. Louis 63123 | www.karpel.com
Mulligan Technologies
636.698.6001 | 8654 Orf Rd. Lake St. Louis 63367 | www.mulligantechnologies.com
NJC Printing and Graphics
314.432.7774 | 1257 N. Warson St. Louis 63132 | www.njcprint.com
O’Connor & Partners
314.772.0010 | 2010 S. Eighth St. St. Louis 63104 | www.oconnor-partners.com
Office Essentials
866.251.9802 | 1834 Walton Rd. St. Louis 63114 | www.oeistl.com
Paradowski Creative
314.241.2150 | 1928 Locust St. St. Louis 63102 | paradowski.com
Partners Financial Service
636.305.9877 | 403 Axminister Dr. Fenton 63026 | www.partners-mo.com
Qualy Group Northwestern Mutual
314.721.7799 | 7733 Forsyth Blvd. St. Louis 63105 | qualygroup.nmfn.com
Rapid Refill Ink
636.537.5444 | 128 Chesterfield Commons East Chesterfield 63005 | www.rapidrefill.com
Sextant Technology Partners
314.423.3900 | 1185 N. Price Rd. St. Louis 63132 | www.sextant-technology.com
Snapshot Technologies
877.230.9004 | 16149 Westwoods Business Park Ellisville 63021 | www.sst123.com
Tech Electronics
314.645.6200 | 6437 Manchester Ave. St. Louis 63139 | www.techelectronics.com
The Miller Group
314.822.8090 | 1112 Westmark Dr. St. Louis 63131 | www.themillergroup.com
Universal Business Supply
314.298.0153 | 4344 Rider Trail North Earth City 63045 | www.universalbusinesssupply.com
Xiolink
314.621.5500 | 900 Walnut St., Ste. 150 St. Louis 63102 | www.xiolink.com
Serving St. Louis
Quality Bible Teaching Christian News & Information
91.5 1320 Business Owners:
Our Quality Family Audience Could Become Your Best New Customers! • BRN Listeners are loyal, qualified consumers • BRN Listeners have above average disposable income • Current BRN Sponsors report great results! Contact Holly Willis for information (314) 961-1320, Ext. 209
Listen Online:
www.bottradionetwork.com BOTT RADIO NETWORK Serving: AR, CA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MS, MO, NE, OK, SD, TN, TX, WY and online at bottradionetwork.com SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide 17
C
credit unions
More options are out there for business capital.
Best Credit Unions
THE BEST OF THE BEST
Vantage Credit Union What is the one piece of advice you have for business owners? Word-of-mouth can be your biggest point of success...or failure. So always do the right, fair thing by your customers and staff. If you build your reputation as having integrity – success will follow.
WATCH YOUR MOUTH
Word -of-mouth can be your biggest point of success...or failure.
WHAT is your motivation for helping local business owners grow THEIR COMPANIES? We’ve been a part of the St Louis community for over 50 years and we remain committed to the community. Additionally, our focus is helping improve the financial lives of our members and the financial literacy of the communities we serve.
314.298.0055 800.522.6009 www.vcu.com
THE TOP FINALISTS
West Community Credit Union
First Community Credit Union
2345 South Brentwood Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63144 636.720.2400 www.westcommunitycu.org
4249 Watson Road St Louis, MO 636.728.3333 www.firstcommunity.com
18 SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide
NOT YOUR FATHER’S CREDIT UNION Today’s credit unions offer a comprehensive and cutting-edge suite of business solutions ranging from loans and savings products to remote deposit and merchant processing to appeal to competitive business owners. Other products and services offered by local credit unions include: - SBA loans - Commercial real estate loans - Business credit cards - Business lines of credit - Equipment and machinery loans - Construction loans - Letters of credit
THE LIST BEST CREDIT UNION
St. Louis Business Exam, Question #11 Why advertise in St. Louis Small Business Monthly?
COMPANY
CONTACT INFORMATION
1st Financial Federal CU
636.916.8300 | 1550 Country Club Plaza St. Charles 63303 | www.1stfinancialfcu.org
Alliance CU
636.343.7005 | 575 Rudder Rd. Fenton 63026 | www.alliancecu.com
American Eagle CU
314.771.7700 | 1001 Lynch St. St. Louis 63118 | www.ameaglecu.com
Arsenal CU
314.962.6363 | 3780 Vogel Rd. Arnold 63010 | www.arsenalcu.org
Community America CU
314.429.0018 | 10895 Lambert International Blvd. Bridgeton 63044 | www.cacu.com
Electro Savings CU
314.434.6470 | 1805 Craigshire Dr. St. Louis 63146 | www.electrosavings.com
First Community CU
800.767.8880 | 17151 Chesterfield Airport Rd. Chesterfield 63005 | www.firstcommunity.com
Gateway Metro Federal CU
314.621.4575 | 1001 Pine St. St. Louis 63101 | www.gmcu.org
Neighbors CU
314.892.5400 | 6300 South Lindbergh Blvd. St. Louis 63123 | www.neighborscu.org
St. Louis Community CU
314.534.7610 | 3651 Forest Park Ave. St. Louis 63108 | www.stlccu.org
Vantage CU
314.298.0055 | 4020 Fee Fee Rd. Bridgeton 63044 | www.vcu.com
West Community CU
636.720.2400 | 4161 Highway K O’Fallon 63368 | www.westcommunitycu.org
Because you: A. understand the importance of thriving local businesses B. can’t wait until the Spring and Fall St. Louis Business Expos C. want to leverage the buying power of 70,000 business owners D. are smart with your marketing dollars E. ALL OF THE ABOVE
A+ ! Great Job
O
sbmon.com • 314.569.0076
It’s good to hear yes.
When your business needs alternative funding and you keep hearing “no,” let Crestmark be the one to say “yes.” Providing accounts receivable financing and asset-based lending to small- and medium-sized businesses nationwide. Let us help.
Mickey Moran 314.854.1355 mmoran @ crestmark.com
Lo c a l , R el i a bl e , A ff or d a bl e . Let AccuPay process your payroll and file your payroll taxes. For an added benefit look into one of our HR and timekeeping solutions. Enter payroll yourself or let us do the work for you! A la carte HR and HR support for your special business needs.
Timekeeping solutions that help save you time and money. Time-saving features that allow you to focus on revenue generating activities.
Call Today! Mention this ad and receive your first payroll run, absolutely free! Call (636) 537-5808 or visit www.accupayaps.net for a free demo and quote!
SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide 19
I IT
You are only cheating yourself with shortcuts in technology.
Be friendly to your techie.
Best IT Firms
THE BEST OF THE BEST
Datotel WHAT IS YOUR MOTIVATION FOR HELPING LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS GROW THEIR COMPANIES? “We are committed to the growth of the St. Louis community and in helping keep local businesses up and running. We want the entire region to be an even richer environment to live and work in. In fact, we recently donated $120,000 in services to start up companies in the ITEN program to help them get their businesses off the ground and assist them in taking it to the next level,” David Brown, president of Datotel.
GET HELP
Don’t try to do everything alone. Seek out other business owners and ask for help.
WHAT IS THE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU HAVE FOR BUSINESS OWNERS? “Don’t try to do everything alone. Seek out other business owners and ask for help. Enterpreneur’s Organization, as an example, has played an instrumental role in the growth of Datotel,” says Brown.
314.241.9101 877.241.9101 www.datotel.com
THE TOP FINALISTS
Miken Technologies
TDK Technologies
7790 Watson Road St. Louis, MO 63119 314.961.0501 www.miken.net
12977 North Forty Drive, Suite 108 St. Louis, MO 63141 314.878.1005 www.tdktech.com
20 SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide
3 REASONS WHY TECH UPGRADES ARE WORTH THE TIME AND MONEY Get a jump on the competition: Stay ahead of your competition with new technology for everything from internal processes to marketing. Streamline processes and build efficiency: Get more done with fewer people by making an upgrade to customized software and technology. Don’t let things become bigger problems: Technology issues do not get better by ignoring them, so business owners should take care of them as soon as possible.
THE LIST BEST IT FIRMS
314.845.8800 | 11155 South Towne Square, Ste. B St. Louis 63123 | www.centerline-tech.com
CIO Services LLC
314.414.8400 | 606 North and South Rd., Ste. 201 St. Louis 63130 | www.cioservicesllc.com
Clayton Computer
314.647.9999 | 1047 S Big Bend Blvd St. Louis 63117 | www.claytoncomputer.net
Computer St. Louis
314.821.3237 | 10011 Watson Road St. Louis 63126 | www.computerstlouis.com
Comp-U-Help
314.821.1661 | 1571 Fenpark Dr St. Louis 63026 | www.cuhcomp.com
Datotel
314.241.9101 | 701 N. Tucker St. Louis, MO 63101 | www.datotel.com
Ferguson Consulting
636.728.4400 | 1350 Tiberlake Manor Pkwy, #450 Chesterfield 63017 | fergusonconsultinginc.com
Kyvon
314.544.0011 | 11141 South Towne Square Dr., Ste C St. Louis 63123 | www.kyvon.com
Maryville Technologies
636.519.4100 | 540 Maryville Centre, Ste. 300 St. Louis 63141 | www.maryville.com
Midwest Networking Services, Inc.
636.326.4343 | 85 Smoke Tree Dr Fenton 63026 | www.midwestnetworking.com
Miken Technologies
314.961.0501 | 7790 Watson Road St. Louis 63119 | www.miken.net
M.I.S. Corporation
314.361.3505 | 3 Worthington Access Road Maryland Heights 63043 | www.mis-corp.com
Net-Net Tech LLC
314.563.0002 | 1001 Craig Road, Ste. 260 St. Louis 63146 | www.netnettech.com
PC Tech
636.464.2400 | 3510 JeffCo. Blvd., Ste. 101 Arnold 63010 | www.pctechrx.com
Q&A Business Solutions
314.416.8973 | 4728 Hedgemont St. Louis 63128 | www.qabs.com
River City Technology Group
636.936.1500 | 1000 Mid Rivers Mall Dr., Ste. 150 St. Peters 63376 | www.rivercitytech.com
Skeleton Key
314.962.8888 | 3260 Hampton Ave., Ste. 200 St. Louis 63139 | www.skeletonkey.com
SSE
314.439.4700 | 77 Westport Plaza, Ste. 500 St. Louis 63146 | sseinc.com
Sudora LLC
314.993.4555 | 8522 Olive Blvd., Ste. LL University City 63132 | www.sudora.com
TDK Technologies
314.878.1005 | 12977 North Forty Dr., #108 St. Louis 63141 | www.tdktech.com
UltraTech Resources
636.594.2004 | 16401 Swingley Ridge Rd., Ste 250 Chesterfield 63017 | ultratechresources.com
Venmar Systems Inc.
314.428.2266 | 10803 Indian Head Industrial Blvd St. Louis 63132 | www.venmar.com
Winning Technologies
636.379.8279 | 147 Triad West Dr O’Fallon, MO 63366 | www.winningtech.com
BUSIN
CenterLine Technologies
Learn what it takes to succeed in business from some of St. Louis’ most successful entrepreneurs.
Can you business have an innovati in a corpo ve, rate town breakthrough like St. Lo uis?
Maxine Clark (Bu Barrett ild-a-Bea Toa r), Dave Steward town not n (Express Scri pts) wou (World widely kno Wide Tech ld to some of our nati wn for its openne answer with an emphati nology) and on’s mos c, “yes.” t remarka ss to new ideas, For St. Louis ble business This boo has been a k takes 21 people. home successfu years of l compan busi ies (no mat ness lessons from back-toback. ter how St. Lou you defi ne success) is’ most recogniz ed and Many com and plac es them all or Scottrad panies in St. Lou is become e. These pages will are poised to be the next the next help to edu St. Louis Enterpr cate and giants. inspire thos ise Rent-A-Car Be prepared e business to make es to your busi ness grow .
These outstanding business owners share their secrets and tips to building a better business. Readers will learn real-world strategies for hiring, finding capital, managing employees and turning your dream into a thriving company. Entrepreneurs include such owners as Maxine Clark (Build-ABear Workshops), Dave Steward (World Wide Technology), Barrett Toan (Express Scripts) and Andy and Jack Taylor (Enterprise Rent-ACar), as well as other entrepreneurs. Book Cover
.indd
1
Foreword
Tom Sch by lafly St. Loui s Brewery - and Schlafly Beer
BREABKUSINESS THROU GHS ST. LOU IS
LIK
ATB Technologies
314.878.4166 | 999 Executive Parkway Dr., Ste 102 St. Louis 63141 | www.atb-tech.com
LUS • NU
314.276.2597 | www.computerconsultingstlouis.com
STYLE
successfu l st. lou entrepren eurs sharis e their secret s
AMELN • PAU
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LE
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ESS BR EAKTHR OUGH S - ST. LO UIS STY
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“...a MUST-READ for anyone in business or thinking about starting a business. Learn tips, advice and strategies from successful St. Louis entrepreneurs.”
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Enhancing your office digitally Factory authorized sales and service Kyocera, Copystar, NEC and Samsung
• Network-ready Digital & Color Multi-functional printers/copiers • Print Management Software • Document Storage Software
“Our success is based on your satisfaction.” Serving St. Louis since 1979
314.997.8916 | www.price2.com SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide 21
W web design
Double-u, double-u, double-u, dot, great design means more cash, dot, com
Content Is King
Best Web Design
Internet marketing guru and owner of Words that Click, Adam Kreitman explains how a successful web presence requires more than a pretty face.
THE BEST OF THE BEST
VividSites WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU HAVE FOR BUSINESS OWNERS?
DON’T GO INSANE
“One of the definitions of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome. Let go of your routine and force yourself to change in the direction your industry is going,” David Black, owner of VividSites.
Let go of your routine and force yourself to change in the direction your industry is going.
What is your motivation for helping local businessES grow? “If local businesses grow, we grow. Their success is our success which is why we give every project our all. I’m from St. Louis and I want nothing more than to see our city grow. After every pitch we ask the potential client to please choose a local company,” says Black.
314.415.2000 www.vividsites.com
THE TOP FINALISTS
Habanero
InvoDesign
712 N. Second Street, Suite 200 St. Louis, MO 63102 314.771.5522 www.habanero.com
10805 Sunset Office Drive St Louis, MO 63127 888.345.4686 www.invodesign.com
22 SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide
C
ontent is so absolutely critical to your online marketing success that Internet marketing guru John Reese once wrote that content is not king—it’s Kong. Content is the foundation of all your online marketing efforts. Without content, no amount of search engine optimization, pay-per-click advertising, social media marketing, etc. can help you produce a successful online marketing campaign. Consistently publishing original content will help you build credibility and rank higher in Google.
Toky_ABOG_Ad_CRA_Layout 1 8/12/10 3:11 PM Page 1
THE LIST BEST WEB DESIGN COMPANY
CONTACT INFORMATION
Captiva Marketing
314.822.3656 | 10805 Sunset Office Dr., #207 | St. Louis 63127 www.capitiva-marketing.com
CDK Web
636.939.4440 | 2440 Executive Dr., #200 | St. Charles 63303 www.cdkweb.com
CIO Services LLC
314.414.8400 | 606 North and South Rd., #201 | St. Louis 63130 www.cioservicesllc.com
Falk Harrison Creative
314.531.1410 | 1300 Baur Blvd. St. Louis 63132 www.falkharrison.com
Fine Dog Creative
314.968.1200 | 103 W. Lockwood Ave., #201 | St. Louis 63119 www.finedogcreative.com
Geile-Leon Marketing Communications
314.727.5850 | 130 S. Bemiston, Ste. 800 | St. Louis 63105 www.geileon.com
Habanero
314.771.5522 | 712 N. Second St., #200 | St. Louis 63102 www.habanero.com
Infuz
314.584.8000 | 611 N. Tenth St. Ave., 4th Floor | St. Louis 63101 www.infuz.com
Insite Advice
314.621.6888 | 6266 Gravois Ave. St. Louis 63116 www.insiteadvice.com
InvoDesign
888.345.4686 | 10805 Sunset Office Dr. | St. Louis 63127 www.invodesign.com
jWeb New Media Design
636.928.3162 | 2121 Collier Corporate Pkwy. | St. Charles 63303 www.jwebmedia.com
Paradigm New Media Group
314.621.7600 | 5017 Washington Place, #100 | St. Louis 63108 www.pnmg.com
Pinnacle Design Studio
636.294.4506 www.pinnacle-designstudio.com
Powers By Design
314.238.1355 | 10805 Sunset Office Dr., #300 | St. Louis 63127 www.powersbydesign.com
Pupillo Group
314.968.0500 | 9056 Watson Rd. St. Louis, 63126 www.pgistlouis.com
RazorBall.net
314.754.1466 | P.O. Box 4527 Chesterfield 63006 www.razorball.net
Spencer Web Design
636.922.7112 | P.O. Box 664 St. Peters 63376 www.spencerwebdesign.com
SteadyRain
314.446.0733 | 716 Geyer Ave., #400 | St. Louis 63104 www.steadyrain.com
Timmermann Group
314.588.1735 www.timmermangroup.com
The Miller Group
314.822.8090 |1112 Westmark Dr. St. Louis 63131 www.themillergroup.com
The Net Impact
636.532.4424 | 16690 Swingley Ridge Rd. | Chesterfield, 63017 www.thenetimpact.com
VIVIDSITES
314.415.2000 | 999 Executive Parkway, #330 | St. Louis, 63141 www.vividsites.com
WE ARE THE COMPANY THAT BRANDED
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3001 LOCUST STREET, ST.LOUIS, MO 63103
314 + 534.2000
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SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide 23
R restaurants
Where the elite meet to eat.
Best Restaurants
to Schmooze a Client
THE BEST OF THE BEST
Annie Gunn’s What is the one piece of advice you have for business owners? “The best way to start off a great evening is to be clear on what your expectations and intentions are. Let the manager know how important coming to the restaurant is and what your needs are. This creates great results for the client and the restaurant,” says Thom Sehnert, owner of Annie Gunn’s.
636.532.7684 www.smokehousemarket.com
THE TOP FINALISTS
Mike Shannon’s Steaks & Seafood 1 North 7th Street St. Louis, MO 63101 314.421.1540 www.shannonsteak.com
Cunetto House of Pasta 5453 Magnolia Avenue St. Louis, MO 63139 314.781.1135 www.cunetto.com 24 SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide SBM
THE LIST BEST RESTAURANTS COMPANY
CONTACT INFORMATION
1860 Saloon Hard Shell Café
314.231.1860 | 1860 S. 9th St. St. Louis 63104
Almond’s Restaurant
314.725.1019 | 8127 Maryland Ave. St. Louis 63105
Amici’s Restaurant
314.821.2222| 210 N. Kirkwood Rd. St. Louis 63122 | www.amicisrestaurant.com
Annie Gunn’s Restaurant
636.532.7684 | 16806 Chesterfield Airport Rd. Chesterfield 63005 | www.smokehousemarket.com
Applegate’s Deli
314.968.6466 | 1912 S. Brentwood Blvd. St. Louis 63144 | www.applegatesdeli.com
Candicci’s Restaurant and Bar
636.220.8989 | 100 Holloway Rd. Ballwin 63011 | www.candiccis.net
Charlie Gitto’s
314.772.8898 | 5226 Shaw Ave. St. Louis 63110 | www.charliegittos.com
Cunetto House of Pasta
314.781.1135 | 5453 Magnolia Ave. St. Louis 63139 | www.cunetto.com
Dierdorf Hart’s Steakhouse
314.878.1801 | 323 West Port Plaza St. Louis 63146 | www.dierdorfharts.com
Franco
314.436.2500 | 1535 S. 8th St. St. Louis 63104 | www.eatatfranco.com
Grappa Grill
636.940.5400 | 1644 Country Club Plaza Dr. St. Charles 63303 | www.grappagrill.com
Harvest Restaurant
314.645.3522 | 1059 S. Big Bend Blvd. St. Louis 63117 | www.harveststlouis.com
Herbies
314.769.9595 | 405 N. Euclid Ave. St. Louis 63108 | www.herbies.com
Jilly’s Café & Steakhouse
636.449.4500 | 1630 Gravois Rd. High Ridge 63049 | www.jillyscafeandsteakhouse.com
Kaldi’s Coffee Roasting Company
314.727.9991 | 700 Demun Ave. St. Louis 63105 | www.kaldiscoffee.com
Limestones Restaurant
314.344.3000 | 12163 Prichard Farm Rd. Maryland Heights 63043 | www.limestonesrestaurant.
Mad Dog & Cat’s Restaurant
866.522.3840 | 1005 Wolfrum Rd. Weldon Springs 63304 | www.maddogandcats.com
Mike Shannon’s Steaks & Seafood
314.421.1540 | 620 Market St. St. Louis 63101 | www.shannonsteak.com
Robust Wine Bar
314.963.0033 | 227 W. Lockwood Ave. St. Louis 63119 | www.robustwinebar.com
Schneithorst’s
314.993.4100 | 1600 S. Lindbergh Rd. St. Louis 63124 | www.schneithorst.com
Tenderloin Room
314.361.0900 | 232 N. Kingshighway Blvd. St. Louis 63108 | www.tenderloinroom.com
Tony’s
314.231.7007 | 410 Market St. St. Louis 63102
Yia Yia’s
636.537.9991 | 15601 Olive Blvd. Chesterfield 63017 | www.yiayias.com/stl/
“ Keeping St. Louis in Business”
St. Louis Development Corporation
Business Development Real Estate Development Site Location Assistance Retail Attraction Business Incubators Rodney Crim, Executive Director 1015 Locust Street, Suite 1200 St. Louis, Missouri 63101 Office: 314.622.3400 FAX: 314.231.2341 http://stlouis.missouri.org Francis G. Slay, Mayor
Programs For Lending To Small Businesses U.S. Small Business Administration 314-539-6600
www.sba.gov
Guarantee Loan Programs The U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides shortand long-term loans to eligible, creditworthy startup and existing small businesses that cannot obtain financing on reasonable terms through normal lending channels. The SBA provides financial assistance through its participating lenders in the form of loan guarantees—not direct loans. The agency does not provide grants for business startup or expansion. 7(a) General Loan Program 7(a) loans are available for most business purposes, including purchasing real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory, and for working capital. The loans cannot be used for speculative purposes. The SBA can guarantee a maximum of $2 million under the 7(a) program. The guaranty rate is 85% for loans of $150,000 or less, 75% for loans greater than $150,000 and 90% for loans under the Export Working Capital Program. The interest rate is negotiated between the borrower and the lender; however, the lender may not charge over 2.25% over posted prime lending rates as shown in the Wall Street Journal for loans less than seven years; or 2.75% for loans seven years or longer. For loans under $50,000 and Express loans, the rates may be slightly higher. Maturity may be up to 10 years for working capital and up to 25 years for real property. Other fixed assets may be financed for the life of the asset. SBAExpress SBAExpress is the most popular loan program the SBA provides. Under the Express program the SBA has a maximum loan amount of $350,000 and allows for a guarantee of 50% to the lender. Why is it popular, and how does it differ? Under Express, lenders approve their own credits and SBA only checks eligibility. The program minimizes the use of government-mandated forms and procedures and streamlines the processing and reduces the cost of smaller, less complex SBA loans. The program allows lenders to utilize, to the maximum extent possible, their respective loan analyses, procedures, and documentation. Lenders thus can use their own application forms, internal credit memoranda, notes, collateral documents, servicing documentation, and liquidation documentation. However, in using their documents and procedures, lenders generally must follow their established and proven internal credit review and analysis procedures for loans of similar size and type. Interest rates for Express loans of $50,000 or less is prime plus 6.5% maximum and prime plus 4.5% for loans over $50,000. This program provides a 24-hour turnaround time once the lender faxes the application to SBA centralized processing in Sacramento. Another very popular aspect of this program is that Express provides the only simplified line of credit available to lenders. It provides a line of credit to the small business community that is quick to process, easier to administer 26 SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide
and provides a line of credit for a maximum of up to seven years to the small business community. Patriot Express SBA’s Patriot Express initiative has new and enhanced programs and services to veterans and members of the military community who want to establish or expand small businesses. Eligible military community members include: Veterans, Servicedisabled veterans, Active-duty service members eligible for the military’s Transition Assistance Program, Reservists and National Guard members, Current spouses of any of the above, the widowed spouse of a service member or veteran who died during service or of a service connected disability. The new Patriot Express loan is offered by SBA’s network of participating lenders nationwide and features our fastest turnaround time for loan approvals. Loans are available up to $500,000 and qualify for SBA’s maximum guaranty of up to 85% for loans of $150,000 or less and up to 75% for loans above $150,000 to $500,000. For loans above $350,000, lenders will be required to take all collateral available. The Patriot Express loan can be used for most business purposes, including start-up, expansion, equipment purchases, working capital, inventory or business-occupied realestate purchases. Interest rates for Patriot Express loans range from 2.25 percent to 4.75 percent over prime depending upon the size and maturity of the loan. 504 Loan Program The 504 Loan Program was established with the purpose of providing long-term financing assistance for businesses needing to expand while providing fixed-rate financing for up to 40% of the project. The business’s investment for the specific project to be financed may be as little as 10% for an existing business. For new businesses (less than three years old) and for special use facilities, the business may have to contribute 15-20% of a project. Normally a bank provides 50% of the total project needs and retains a first-lien collateral position on the assets financed. The interest rate on the SBA share of the project will be fixed for the entire loan period, and historically, has been below stated market rates. The loans are for either 10 or 20 years. Monies can be used only for fixed assets, including land and building, and long term machinery and equipment. The maximum loan is $1.5 million when meeting the job creation criteria or a community development goal, $2 million when meeting a public policy goal and $4 million for small manufacturers. The program is administered by certified development companies (CDC) that handle the application process and make loan recommendations to the SBA that has final approval authority. For further information contact any of the following: n Business Finance Corporation, St. Louis County Economic Council, 314-615-7663 n Economic Development Corporation of Jefferson County, 636-797-5336 n Economic Development Corporation of St. Charles County, 636-441-6880 Financing
n RMI, 573-635-0136 or 800-234-4971 n Small Business Growth Corporation, 314-292-9531 n St. Louis Development Corp, 314-622-3400 n Meramec Regional Development Corporation, 573-265-2993 n Enterprise Development Corporation, 573-875-8117 Community Express The Community Express loan program is offered to geographic areas serving mostly low and moderate income areas and new markets that are women, minority, and veterans. The maximum loan amount is $250,000 with the same guaranty percentage as in the 7(a) loan program (see above). Lenders are not required to take collateral for loans up to $25,000. Lenders may use their existing collateral policy for loans over $25,000 up to $150,000. The Community Express loan program includes a specific technical assistance component. Borrowers must receive pre- and post-loan closing technical and management assistance from an SBA approved T/A provider and/or from participating lenders, with that assistance coordinated, arranged, and when necessary, paid for by Community Express lenders. MicroLoan Program The MicroLoan program is structured to meet the needs of very small businesses. Loans are made to entrepreneurs who have the ability to operate a successful business, but have been unable to obtain funding from traditional sources. This program provides loans of up to $35,000 for startups, newly established, and growing small business concerns by providing access for working capital, inventory, supplies, furniture, fixtures, machinery and/or equipment. MicroLoan recipients receive one-on-one technical assistance to help in areas such as marketing, understanding financial statements, strategic planning, and management. In Missouri, the program is administered by Justine Petersen Housing and Reinvestment Corp., 314-533-2411 and RMI,1-800234-4971. Export Working Capital Program This program provides working capital for an exporter to complete an export order. Loans can be either for a specific transaction or can be on a revolving basis for up to three years maturity. The SBA guarantees up to $1.5 million or 90% of the loan amount, whichever is less. The SBA also participates with the Ex-Im Bank on a co-guaranty program with a maximum loan amount of $2 million. Exporters may use this program for preexport financing of labor and materials, financing receivables generated from these sales, and/or standby letters of credit used as performance bonds or payment guarantees to foreign buyers. Call SBA representative John Blum, 314-425-3304, john.blum@ sba.gov. International Trade Loan Program This program provides long-term financing to help small businesses compete more effectively and expand or develop export markets. Under this program, SBA’s guarantee can extend up to $1.75 million. Loan maturities cannot exceed 25 years, excluding the working capital portion of the loan. Guaranty Financing
percentages are the same as normal 7(a) loans. Proceeds may be used to purchase or upgrade facilities or equipment, and to make other improvements that will be used within the United States to produce goods and services. The working capital portion of the borrowing could be in the form of either a EWCP loan or a portion of the term loan. Applicants must establish one of the following to meet eligibility requirements: loan proceeds will significantly expand existing export markets or develop new ones, or the applicant’s business is adversely affected by import competition. SBA Export Express Program The SBA Export Express Program is available to small businesses that meet normal requirements for a SBA business loan guaranty. Loan applicants must demonstrate that the loan proceeds will enable them to enter new export market(s) or expand existing export markets, and have been in business operation, though not necessarily in exporting, for at least 12 months. The lenders must have Preferred Lender Program authority and can use their own documents. The lender uses its own loan analyses, loan procedures, and loan documents. The maximum amount under this loan is $250,000. The guaranty rate is 85% for loans of $150,000 or less and 75% for loans greater than $150,000 and up to $250,000. Terms and interest rates are negotiated with the lender. Maturities can be the same as other SBA 7(a) loans.
Missouri Department of Economic Development 573-751-0717
wwwMissouriDevelopment.org
Action Fund This is a loan program which may be made to a private company for buildings, equipment, working capital, land, and other facilities or improvements in order to cause a project to occur which will result in the creation or retention of full-time permanent employment. Selection shall be determined by the need for assistance through a financial analysis of the company, and the documentation of the public benefit to be derived from the project. CDBG funds are limited to the lower of $1,000,000 per project, 40% of the project costs, and a maximum CDBG cost per job created or retained will be $25,000. The interest rate of the loan will be determined by DED. The term of the loan will be determined by cash flow projections that will allow for the fastest repayment of principal and interest, but not more than 10 years. Nonprofit, public or quasi-public entities are not eligible to participate in the program. The Department has established manufacturing industries as the priority beneficiary of the Action Fund program. However, certain service industries are eligible to participate in the program. The loan must be made in cooperation with a city or county sponsor in cities with a population under 50,000 and/or a county with a population under 200,000. Exceptions to this include the following: Blue Springs, Columbia, Florissant, Independence, Jefferson City, Joplin, Kansas City, O’Fallon, Springfield, St. Charles, St. Joseph, St. Peters, Lee’s SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide 27
Summit, St. Louis (city), Jefferson County (and the cities within Jefferson County who have elected to participate in the Jefferson County entitlement program), and St. Louis County (and the cities within St. Louis County who have elected to participate in the St. Louis County entitlement program). Brownfield Redevelopment Program This program provides financial incentives for the redevelopment of “Brownfield” properties, which are buildings or land abandoned for at least three years and are contaminated by hazardous waste. The program provides Missouri state income tax credits for up to 100% of the remediation costs to applicants that redevelop and remediate approved sites in accordance with voluntary clean up procedures established by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The program may be used to rehabilitate an existing building contaminated with hazardous waste, or to clear existing contaminated structures and build a new facility. The program may also be applicable for contaminated sites that have no existing structures. The company must not have started the project prior to approval by Missouri Department of Economic Development. Missouri Export Finance Program The Missouri Export Finance program is a cooperative effort of the Department of Economic Development and the Missouri Development Finance Board. The mission of the program is to assist Missouri companies to obtain export finance and export credit insurance to increase sales internationally. The program focuses on existing finance and insurance programs provided by several key federal and international agencies including the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank). There are three main Ex-Im Bank programs administered including the Export Working Capital Guarantee; Export Credit Insurance; and Foreign Buyers Loan Guarantees. Historic Preservation Tax credit of 25% of the eligible costs and expenses of the rehabilitation of approved historic structures. Effective 1/1/2010, there is a program cap of $70 million for projects receiving tax credits over $275,000. Effective 7/1/2010, the cap is $140 million for projects receiving tax credits over $275,000. Owner occupied residential has a project cap of $250,000 and projects receiving less than $275,000 do not fall under the program cap. Missouri Quality Jobs Program The Quality Jobs program was created to facilitate the creation of new quality jobs. To qualify, the company must create a minimum number of new jobs at the project facility prior to the “deadline” date based on the type of project, and the employer must pay at least fifty percent of the health insurance premium for the employee. ”Small/expanding” business projects in nonrural areas must create 40 or more new jobs (20 new jobs must be created in rural areas) within two years of the date of the DED approval, and the program benefit is the retention of the state withholding tax of the new jobs. For “Technology” and “High Impact” business projects, the benefits of the program are (a) the retention of the state withholding tax of the new jobs; and 28 SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide
(b) state tax credits, which are refundable and/or sellable. The program benefits are based on a percentage of the payroll of the new jobs. Rebuilding Communities Tax Credit Eligible areas include distressed communities only. For new or relocating businesses, a tax credit of 40% of new specialized equipment (up to $75,000/year for four years), or a tax credit of 40% of state income tax liability (up to $125,000 for 3 years) can be obtained. For an existing business that purchases new specialized equipment, a tax credit of 25% (up to $75,000) of the incremental increase from the average of the past two years can be obtained. Manufacturing, Biomedical, Medical Device, Scientific Research, Animal Research, Computer Software Design or Development, Computer Programming, Telecommunications and professional firms may be eligible. Tax-Exempt Industrial Revenue Bonds These provide long-term, low-rate financing of fixed assets up to $10 million per project. Only manufacturing companies are eligible. The company must be able to arrange for the sale of its bonds. The benefit of this program is lower interest rates. The bonds may be issued by a city, county, a local industrial development authority, or the MO Development Finance Board. Urban Enterprise Loan Program (UEL) The St. Louis Minority Business Council administers the Urban Enterprise Loan Program (UEL) for the St. Louis area for the State of Missouri. The UEL’s primary focus is to assist with the creation, expansion and retention of enterprises within a state approved census tract block in the St. Louis and Kansas City urban areas. Borrowers must be “for profit” businesses. The business must hire or retain at least one full-time employment position for every $20,000 loaned under the program. The UEL can lend up to 50% of project cost to a maximum loan amount of $100,000 (minimum loan is $10,000). Call the St. Louis Minority Council at 314-241-1143. Enhanced Enterprise Zone Enhanced Enterprise Zones are specified geographic areas designated by local governments and certified by the Department of Economic Development (DED). Zone designation is based on certain demographic criteria, the potential to create sustainable jobs in a targeted industry and a demonstrated impact on local industry cluster development. An eligible business must be located in a Missouri Enhanced Enterprise Zone (EEZ). Individual business eligibility will be determined by the zone, based on creation of sustainable jobs in a targeted industry or demonstrated impact on local industry cluster development. Service industries can be eligible if a majority of their annual revenues will be derived from services provided out of the state. Headquarters or administrative offices of an otherwise excluded business may qualify if the offices serve a multistate territory. The company cannot have been announced or construction started prior to the approval process.
Financing
City of St. Louis 314-622-3400
www.stlouis.missouri.com
Revolving Loan Fund Low-interest, subordinated loans are available for working capital, machinery and equipment; purchasing land and buildings; renovation and constructing facilities; and leasehold improvements - all for businesses located in the City of St. Louis and licensed to do business in the City. At least one full-time job must be created/retained for every $10,000 of funds. The loan can be for up to one-third of the project cost, with the maximum loan being $150,000 ($75,000 for restaurants). Typically 60% of the funding is from a bank, 30% from the Revolving Loan Fund and 10% in equity from the business seeking the loan. Tax Exempt Revenue Bonds Revenue bonds provide long term, low interest rate financing for fixed asset financing projects. Because of the high fixed cost for bond-issued projects, they must be for more than $1 million to be cost-effective. Businesses eligible for tax-exempt financing include manufacturers, multifamily housing projects, nonprofit corporations, and some pollution-control projects. 504 Loan Programs - See U.S. Small Business Administration in this section.
St. Louis County Economic Council (SLCEC) 314-615-7663
Bank Said NO? We Can Help! • Improve cash flow • Increase profits • Promote growth Local funder • Quick advances on invoices Timely rebates • No up-front or hidden fees No volume commitments
Call Joy Ann at 636-458-2612
joyann@lexxfunding.com www.lexxfunding.com
www.slcec.com
SBA 504 Loan Program The SBA 504 loan program is a government finance program that works with banks/ lenders to offer companies long-term fixed rate financing on fixed-asset purchases. Some additional benefits of this program include: 10 percent equity injection, low long-term fixed rates and the SBA 504 program accommodates startup businesses. See U.S. Small Business Administration in this section for more details or call St. Louis County Economic Council at 314.615.7663. Fixed-asset loans The Economic Council offers a number of fixed-asset loans, which feature few eligibility requirements including no net worth, income size or personal liquidity limits. These innovative loans are for businesses expanding within St. Louis County and are available for the purchase or construction of commercial, owner-occupied real estate and/or equipment. Other benefits include up to 90 percent financing, low floating interest rates, variable/ fixed rate option, and no prepayment penalty for floating rate. Tax-Exempt Bond Program Tax-exempt development bonds are available Financing
SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide 29
to manufacturing companies and 501c(3) organizations for qualified projects. In addition to the regular bond program, which finances projects between $2 million and $10 million, 501c(3) organizations are eligible for more than $10 million. SLCEC offers a mini-bond program for projects between $500,000 and $2 million. Tax-exempt bonds can be used to finance the acquisition or construction of a building or the purchase of equipment. Taxable Bond Program This new low-cost taxable bond program is very similar to a tax-exempt bond program. Designed for larger projects (over $2 million), the program requires that the borrower’s bank provide a letter of credit in an amount equal to the bonds. The bonds are then underwritten for sale to mutual funds, money market funds, insurance companies, pension funds, etc. Like most bank loans, these bonds feature a floating rate, however, over the last 15 years, the average bond rate has been about 3 percent below the corresponding prime rate. This program is not restricted to manufacturers and 501c(3) organizations and is available to most area businesses. Bank Qualified Bond Program Bank Qualified Bonds (BQBs) are special tax-exempt bonds that can reduce the cost of funds as much as 100 basis points below the normal low cost of tax-exempt bonds. BQBs are limited to 501(c)(3) organizations.
EDC Small Business Finance
Other Programs Business Consortium Fund (BCF) The Business Consortium Fund, Inc. (BCF) was created in 1984 by the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) to provide and facilitate financing on reasonable terms to minority business enterprises (MBEs) that have been certified by the St. Louis Minority Business Council or one of the other regional councils of the NMSDC. BCF will provide a guaranty to finance a contract/purchase order for MBEs experiencing difficulty obtaining financing through normal lending sources. For more information, contact the St. Louis Minority Business Council at 314-241-1143. Saint Louis Business Development Fund (SLBDF) SLBDF, available to companies located anywhere within a two hour drive from St. Louis is a special and unique source of growth capital in that it invests without taking ownership. SLBDF clients typically have a borrowing relationship with a local bank, but are unable to secure additional bank debt due to a lack of collateral, a high debt to equity ratio, etc. SLBDF, along with the newly formed Saint Louis Private Fund, now invests from $50,000 to $1,000,000; but unlike venture capitalists, does not take any equity in the company. SLBDF is owned by 27 banks and the three largest economic development agencies in the region. It is managed by the St. Louis County Economic Council. For additional information, contact Vince Volpe at 314-402-3538 or visit www.slbdf.com.
636-441-6880 www.edcscc.com Tax-Exempt Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRB) IRBs are available to manufacturing companies, multi-family housing developments, and 501c(3) organizations for qualified projects in St. Charles County. The bonds may be used to finance up to 100% of the cost of the fixed assets such as land, buildings, machinery and equipment on projects between $3 and $10 million. The primary incentive for a company to use industrial revenue bond financing is that funds may be obtained at lower interest rates and longer terms than with conventional financing. Mini-Bond Program A mini-bond program is also available for smaller projects between $500,000 and $3 million. Qualifying projects receive the same benefits as regular revenue bonds. 504 Loan Program - See U.S. Small Business Administration in this section. Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Program This loan program provides loans for up to five years to qualified small businesses that cannot obtain conventional financing. The program offers financing to startup and existing businesses in St. Charles County. Loan amounts range from $5,000-$50,000. 30 SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide
FIND EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO TAKE YOUR BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL
sbmon.com Financing
Business Opportunities For MinorityAnd Women-Owned Firms The Boeing Company taps into the skills and technologies available within the community of small and diverse businesses to maintain its position as the premier aerospace company in the world. Supplier diversity brings strength, innovation and flexibility to its supply base. Each Boeing business unit and division set challenging small business goals and objectives and follow programs and initiatives designed to reach those goals. Procurement opportunities include overhead supplies and services, machined parts, electrical/hydraulic/mechanical components, and avionics components. For information, visit the Boeing website, www.boeing.com, and click on “ Suppliers ” or contact either Rich Hendel, Supplier Diversity Office, richard.h.hendel@boeing.com, 314-232-8454 or Oliver Leslie, Supplier Diversity Office, oliver.s.leslie@boeing.com, 314-233-8733, Mailcode:S1003204, P.O. Box 516, St. Louis, MO 63166-0516. The City of St. Louis is dedicated to the utilization of qualified MBEs and WBEs per Executive Order No. 28 as amended, which establishes 25% MBE and 5% WBE participation goals on all City contracts. Firms must be certified by Lambert-St. Louis International Airport prior to submission of a bid to be recognized as a certified MBE/WBE. More information is available by calling the Lambert DBE Program Office at 314-426-8111 or visit www.mwdbe.org The Supply Division is responsible for the procurement of all supplies, equipment, equipment maintenance and selected services for all City departments. The division processes nearly 7,000 requisitions per year and administers over 200 purchase contracts. Supply Division bids (for commodities and supplies) are available for review online. Go to www.stlouis.missouri.org and click on “RFQ’s, RFPs & Bids.” For more information, click on “Department Listings” then “Supply Division” or call 314622-4580. The City Journal published (weekly) by the City of St. Louiscontains bids advertised by the Supply Division, Board of Public Service, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the St. Louis Public Library. Go to http://stlcin.missouri.org/cityjournal/. The Board of Public Service (BPS) has responsibility for the design, letting and construction management of all City public works contracts. BPS utilizes contractors in the areas of construction and design services. For more information, contact Bette Behan at 314-622-3535 email:behanb@stlouiscity.com or visit www.stl-bps.org. Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization (DITCO) is the procurement organization for telecommunications and information technology for the Department of Defense and 65 other federal agencies. The office is currently seeking small business contractors in all categories who can comply with the 50% rule in the telecommunications and information technology products and services areas. Contact Rodney DeaVault at 618-229-9106. www.stlbps.org. Minority/Women
The General Services Administration (GSA) purchases products and services on a nationwide/worldwide basis for federal agencies, federal courts, the military, and the U.S. Congress. The best way to find current contracting opportunities with GSA is to go to FedBizOpps (www.fedbizopps.gov). For additional information, go to www.gsa.gov/smallbusiness or to the regional office in Kansas City, MO., by calling 816-926-7203 or by emailing business.counseling@gsa.gov for additional help. Follow the GSA Office of Small Business Utilization on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/GSAOSBU The Illinois Business Enterprise Program (BEP) promotes the economic development of diverse businesses - those owned by minorities, women, and persons with disabilities. State agencies/universities are encouraged to spend at least 19% of their procurement budgets with certified BEP companies. Many large State solicitations require participation of certified BEP firms Create a track record of service that can help your company win more government and private-sector business. Certification is recognized by other entities. For additional information call 1-312814-4190 or visit www.sell2.illinois.gov. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Bureau of Small Business Enterprises (SBE) administers the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program and ensures that external equal employment opportunity, on-the-job training, and labor contract requirements are met. The goal of IDOT’s Supportive Services program is to provide assistance that fosters opportunities for DBE firms and minority and female individuals to participate in IDOT’s transportation-related contracts. Consultants have contracts to provide supportive services assistance. These services are provided at no charge to IDOT’s DBE firms, to those firms seeking IDOT DBE program certification, to individual minorities and females seeking employment and to prime contractors doing business with IDOT. The consultants provide business development and technical assistance to DBE firms, monitor the progress of the local DBE firms, recruit local minority firms into the DBE program, develop and manage contractor relationships, establish outreach and partnering efforts to increase minority contractor involvement, and develop targeted programs for participating DBEs which increase their capacity and competitiveness. For additional information visit www.dot.il.gov/sbe/ssassistance. html and www.dot.il.gov/sbe/dbeprogram.html. Lambert-St. Louis International Airport’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program was established to ensure that disadvantaged businesses have maximum opportunity to
participate in the performance of airport contracts financed in whole or in part with funds received through the
Federal Aviation Administration. Goals are established for DBE participation on all federally funded airport contracts. Opportunities at the airport include professional services, general
SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide 31
ATTENTION
Minority/Women/Disadvantaged Business Enterprises
To do business with Lambert St. Louis International Airport and the City of St. Louis...
GET CERTIFIED!
Call 314-426-8111 Go to www.mwdbe.org for a certification application and other information
services, construction, architecture and engineering, retail sales, materials and supplies. For a business to participate in the DBE Program, it must be certified as eligible. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has established the Unified Certification Program (UCP). This UCP will create a “one stop” certification process for all Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certified under federal regulation 49 CFR Part 26. The Missouri Regional Certification Committee (MRCC) oversees the UCP for the state of Missouri. Principal agencies are: Missouri Department of Transportation, City of Kansas City, Mo., Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, City of St. Louis - Lambert Airport Authority and Metro. The St. Louis Airport Authority (SLAA) is also responsible for the administration of the Mayor’s Executive Order #28 as amended. This Order establishes goals of 25% for minority-owned business enterprises (MBE) and 5% goal for women-owned business enterprises (WBE). The Order is applicable to all City purchases involving nonfederal funds. The SLAA also certifies firms as MBEs and WBEs. For information and to request an application for certification, please call 314426-8111 or visit www.mwdbe.org. The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) federally funded transportation projects have federal requirements to mainstream socially and economically disadvantaged businesses that seek contract work with MoDOT. Primary contractors and consultants on MoDOT projects are required to make a GoodFaith effort to meet specific goals to accomplish partnerships with firms that are certified as Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) by the External Civil Rights division of MoDOT, or any Missouri Unified Certification Program partner. (In the St. Louis Metro area: Lambert/City of St. Louis and METRO.)
Lambert St. Louis International Airport® DBE Program Office - P.O. Box 10212 - St. Louis, MO 63145
Community Liaison, Shirlyn Myles of MoDOT’s District 6 office is also available to assist certified DBE’s with business opportunities. For more information about business opportunities, contact Shirlyn at 314-340-4194 or Shirlyn.Myles@modot. mo.gov. DBE Certification applications can be obtained at www.modot. org (click on the Business tab, go to External Civil Rights, click on Application and Instruction). The Missouri Office of Supplier and Workforce Diversity provides assistance to minority-owned business enterprises (MBE) and woman-owned business enterprises (WBE) that are interested in state procurement. This state program offers certification to companies that are 51% owned and controlled by a woman or minority. The following services are provided free of charge:
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n Certification workshops n Procurement related research n Agency purchasing analysis n Bid notification (through website) n Networking events notification (www.oswd.mo.gov) website n Featured vendors (www.oswd.mo.gov) website The program provides assistance to state agencies and private firms for identifying MBE and WBE firms for contracting purposes through a Directory of certified vendors available on the website. Minority/Women
For more information please contact the Office of Administration, Office of Supplier and Workforce Diversity, P.O. Box 809, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0809, 1-877-259-2963 or visit www. oswd.mo.gov. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). NGA is an agency of the Department of Defense and of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, with operations in St. Louis and Arnold. NGA provides timely, relevant, and accurate geospatialintelligence in support of national security. Our Small Business Program supports all small business categories. The NGA St. Louis Contracting Center purchases support for our production systems, including enterprise license agreements, software and hardware support. We contract for geospatial information services and products. Support for agency facility operations at the St. Louis and Arnold locations includes base support operations, architect-engineering services, construction programs, and other related supplies, services and equipment. Contact Karen Corder at (314)-676-0185, Debbie Neustadt (314)-676-0184, or Dotty Buechele at (314)-676-0202 for additional information. Scott Air Force Base, The 375th Air Wing/LGC, 201 E. Winters St., Bldg. 50, Scott Air Force Base, IL 62225, purchases base services, construction, renovation, architectural, engineering, hospital services, information technology, and regular commodities needed specifically to support Scott Air Force Base operations. Contact Jeff Beyer 618-256-9322. HQ AMC Specialized Contracting/A7KQ purchases information technology, technical services and other AMC-wide specialized requirements. Contact Jeannine Kinder at 618-256-9995. USTC/AQ purchases specialized IT, Technical Services and Global Air/Ground Shipping. Contact Michelle Mendez at 618-256-9619. SSM Health Care (SSMHC) wants to increase business partnerships with minority and women suppliers and SSMHC wants to improve support to and alliances with organizations whose missions call for rigorous pursuit of fairness and equality of all people.
button at the bottom of the page. 5 Type your information into the MBE Directory Registration page. 6 Click the “Submit” button at the bottom of the page. Congratulations! You are now registered with SSMHC. For more information, please call Michael Rosenblatt at 314989-3225, email Mike_Rosenblatt@ssmhc.com, or Yvonne Tisdel at 314-994-7917, email Yvonne_Tisdel@ ssmhc.com. St. Louis County’s Office of Community Development administers a Home Improvement Program for low to moderate income homeowners. The focus is on code compliance and not remodeling up to $5,000. Payment is made approximately two weeks following job completion. Homeowner’s select their own contractors, from our list, or they use their own sources. Contractors interested in being added to the list can call 615-8241 for an application.” Mission and Installation Contracting Command-Directorate of Contracting, Fort Leonard Wood participates in programs to ensure equitability in the award of contracts to all the various categories of small business. Products and services procured are those necessary to support the Fort Leonard Wood installation. Contact Don Lawson, 573-596-0264, fax: 573-596-0267, don. lawson@us.army.mil, DOC, Website:www.wood.army.mil/doc, P.O. Box 140, Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473.
M BE s : Reg i s t er N ow! Si g n u p onl i ne f or SSM Heal t h Car e' s Mi nor i ty Bu s i nes s Enter pr i s e Di r ector y:
w w w. s s m h c . c o m / d i v e r s i t y Cl i ck on the Su ppl i er Diver s i ty l i nk .
SSMHC’s needs include the following: medical/surgical supplies (Premier, Inc.), laboratory supplies, radiology supplies (Premier, Inc.), pharmaceuticals (Premier, Inc.), food and beverage (Premier, Inc.), distribution of maintenance suppliers, distribution of hotel service suppliers, construction projects, furniture, plant maintenance service, office supplies, office equipment (copiers, facsimile, etc.), landscaping and grounds maintenance. Minority Business Registration Instructions: 1 Go to the SSMHC website diversity page: ssmhc.com/diversity. 2 In the far left column, click “Supplier Diversity.” 3 At the bottom of this page, click the blue link, “Register for SSM Health Care’s Minority Business Enterprise Directory.” 4 Read the Disclaimer and click a Yes or No Minority/Women
SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide 33
Certification A minority or women business enterprise (MBE/WBE) designation is given to a company at least 51% owned, managed and controlled by minorities or women. Many companies and government agencies are required or have goals to increase the number of MBE/WBEs in the procurement process. The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program is a federally mandated program usually administered by recipients of federal funding for construction and related projects. The recipients are responsible for the certification of firms owned and operated by “socially and economically disadvantaged” individuals. Individuals are presumed to be “socially and economically disadvantaged” if they are from a designated group which includes Black American, Hispanic American, Asian American, Asian Pacific Islander, or Native American and provide the evidence of economic disadvantage. A person that is not from a designated group may qualify, but would have to provide evidence of how he or she is socially disadvantaged and economically disadvantaged. Many firms require DBE/MBE/WBEs to be certified. Certification is the process of confirming the ownership, control and management of a company. An authorized third party or regulatory agency performs the certification. In Missouri, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), Metro and the Lambert/St. Louis Airport Authority are partners in the Missouri Regional Certification Committee (MRCC) or Unified Certification Program. If you are certified by any one of these three or other participating agencies through-out the state, your certification will be honored by all participating agencies in the MRCC. In Illinois, the following five state agencies, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), City of Chicago, CTA, Metra and Pace, have established the Illinois Unified Certification Program (IL UCP). An applicant need only apply once for DBE certification that will be honored by all participating agencies in the IL UCP. Following are agencies that perform certification:
National Women Business Owners Corporation 800-675-5066 • www.nwboc.org
City of St. Louis and Lambert Airport 314-426-8111 • email: dbeprogramoffice@flystl.com
HUBZone Online Certification at www.sba.gov. Patti Guttmann, 314-539-6600, ext. 255
Metro 314-982-1400, Ext. 1352 • email: dbe@metrostlouis.org
Women’s Business Enterprise National Council 202-872-5515 • www.wbenc.org
St. Louis Minority Business Council (Only certify ethnic minority-owned businesses) Georgetta Vann, Manager-Certifications 314-241-1143, ext. 113 • email: gvann@slmbc.org State of Illinois Central Management Services Business Enterprise Program 312-814-4191 • www.sell2.illinois.gov State of Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) 217-782-7820 • www.dot.il.gov State of Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) Division of External Civil Rights, Lester Woods Jr., External Civil Rights Director 573-751-4309 • email: Lester.WoodsJr@modot.mo.gov http://www.modot.mo.gov/business/contractor_resources/ externalcivilrights.htm State of Missouri Office of Administration Office of Supplier and Workforce Diversity Nancy C. Heyer, Certification Coordinator 877-259-2963 • email: Nancy.Heyer@oa.mo.gov U.S. Small Business Administration 8(a)/Business Development and Small Disadvantaged Business Certification information for socially and economically disadvantaged individuals; Online Certifications at www.sba.gov. Patti Guttmann, 314-539-6600, ext. 255
For information or great ideas please call
314.664.3004 www.andysseasoning.com
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34 SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide
Minority/Women
> 222 trademark applications
Legal Reference Guide
Patrick W. Rasche, I www.armstrongteasda
This chart is intended to be a quick reference to some of the laws and regulations that may affect business organizations as they grow in size.
Benchmark
The choice of a lawyer is an importa
Law/Regulation
Ramification
Business and Taxation
Employer’s portion of federal employment taxes plus federal income and employment taxes withheld from employees’ total wages: • less than $2,500 during a quarter • under $50,000 during the four quarters in the “lookback period” applicable to the calendar year of withholding • more than $50,000 during the “lookback period” • $100,000 or more during a monthly or semi-weekly period. A “C” corp’s federal “taxable income” is taxed at graduated rates: • $0 to $50,000 • $50,001 to $75,000 • $75,001 to $100,000 • $100,001 to $335,000 • $335,001 to $10,000,000 • $10,000,001 to $15,000,000 • $15,000,001 to $18,333,333 • over $18,333,333 • certain qualified personal service corporations. Gross receipts up to $5,000,000. Aggregate amount of money and property received by a corporation for stock, as contributions to capital and as paid in surplus exceeds $1,000,000. More than 100 shareholders of a corporation, more than one class of stock, certain prohibited shareholders. Filing requirements for an employee benefit plan with: • one participant (with plan assets more than $100,000) • 2-99 participants • 100 or more participants • Reporting to participants: Summary Annual Report Qualifying depreciable tangible personal property (and certain computer software) purchased for use in the active conduct of a trade or business in excess of $800,000.
Employer must deposit withheld taxes: Circular E-Employer’s Tax Guide
Section 11 of Internal Revenue Code
Section 448 of Internal Revenue Code Section 1244 of Internal Revenue Code Section 1361 of Internal Revenue Code Internal Revenue Service/Department of Labor Reg. §2520.104 b -10 Section 179 of the Internal Revenue Code
• • • •
quarterly (if paying with Form 941) monthly semi-weekly next banking day after $100,000 threshold is reached
Federal Income Tax Rate • 15% • 25% • 34% • 39% • 34% • 35% • 38% • 35% • taxed at 35% flat rate The business may qualify for an exception that allows it to compute taxable income using the cash method of accounting rather than the accrual method. Losses on disposition of the corporation’s stock do not qualify for the special ordinary loss treatment available to “small business corporations.” Corporation could lose or be ineligible to elect “Subchapter S” status. • Generally must file form 5500EZ annually with IRS. • Form 5500 or Form 5500-SF must be filed annually with IRS, with some exceptions if the plan is unfunded or insured. • Form 5500, with some exceptions, must be filed annually including a report by an independent qualified accountant. • Annually provide to participants within 9 months after the end of plan year. Reduction of the $250,000 maximum amount of qualifying property that can be expensed in 2010 instead of depreciated over several years.
Labor and Employment Employers engaged in interstate commerce or engaged in the production of goods for interstate commerce (almost all employers).
Almost all employers.
Employers who have 15 or more employees for each work day in each of at least 20 calendar weeks in the current or preceding calendar year (Federal).
All employers.
Fair Labor Standards Act
Missouri Minimum Wage Statute
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986
All employers.
Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988
Employers with 20 or more employees for each working day in each of 20 or more calendar weeks. Employers with 15 or more employees.
Age Discrimination in Employment Act Americans with Disabilities Act
36 SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide
Requires payment to most hourly employees of minimum wage and time and a half for overtime hours. Requires payment of same wage to males and females for work requiring equal skill, effort, and responsibility in similar working conditions. Notice posting requirements. Requires payment to most hourly employees of higher minimum wage than federal law and time and a half for overtime hours. Requires payment of same wage to males and females. Notice posting requirements. Prohibits discrimination with respect to any condition of employment based on race, color, sex, religion or national origin, except where religion, sex or national origin is a bona fide occupational qualification which is reasonably necessary to the conduct of a particular business. Includes a prohibition on harassment, including sexual harassment. Notice posting requirements. Prohibits hiring of unauthorized aliens. Prohibits employment discrimination based on national origin or citizenship status. Requires employers to complete I-9 forms for each employee. Notice posting requirements. Prohibits employers from using polygraph results as basis for employment action with limited exceptions. Notice posting requirements. Prohibits employment discrimination against individuals 40 years old and older. Notice posting requirements. Employers must have nondiscriminatory application procedures, qualification standards, selection criteria, terms and conditions of employment. Employers must make reasonable accommodation for limitations of qualified applicant or employee unless to do so creates undue hardship. Also governs confidentiality of medical information. Notice posting requirements.
Legal
Benchmark
Law/Regulation
Ramification
Labor and Employment (continued) Employers with 50 or more employees (within a 75-mile radius) each working day for 20 weeks in the current or preceding calendar year. Employers with 100 or more employees. 50 or more employees and contracts or subcontracts of $50,000 plus. All employers in Missouri that have paid wages of $1,500 or more in any quarter either in the current or preceding calendar year. Generally, 5 or more employees working in Missouri, except 1 or more employees in the construction industry. Employers with 6 or more employees working in Missouri.
Employers with 7 or more employees of a corporation doing business in Missouri (State).
All private workplaces in Missouri. All employers in Missouri. All employers in Missouri. All employers in Missouri. All employers in Missouri (State). All employers (Federal).
Virtually all private employers (Federal).
All employers in Missouri (State). All employers (Federal). All employers subject to Missouri unemployment law (State). All employers in Missouri (State). All employers in Missouri (State). Employers employing at least 15 employees (Federal). Generally, most employers with health, life, disability, pension or other employee benefits plan. Employer normally employs 20 or more employees.
All employers.
Legal
Family and Medical Leave Act Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act Executive Order No. 11246
Requires employers to give employees up to 12 weeks leave, paid or unpaid, without loss of position, seniority or benefits, for a qualifying condition or event. General notice requirements, including posting requirements. Requires 60 days advance notice prior to a plant shutdown or layoff of 50 or more employees. Notice posting requirements prior to action.
Requires employers to implement an affirmative action plan for hiring and promoting females and minorities. Requires employers to contribute to unemployment compensation Employment Security fund based on aggregate workers’ wages in various worker Law classifications. Workers’ Compensation Requires employers to obtain workers’ compensation insurance through state-approved carrier. Prohibits retaliation against Law employees filing claims. Notice posting requirements. Prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, or disability. Includes prohibition against harassment, including Missouri Human Rights sexual harassment. Federal laws that also prohibit these forms of Act employment discrimination begin to apply as a company retains its 15th employee working anywhere in the U.S. Notice posting requirements. Requires employers, if properly requested, to provide employees of 90 days or more a letter stating: (1) duration of employment, (2) nature of services performed while employed, and (3) true Service Letter Statute reason why employment ended. Letter must be provided to employee whether they quit or were terminated. Employer may not have more than 30% of entire work space Indoor Clean Air Act designated as smoking area. Prohibits adverse employment action based on legal use of Smokers’ and Alcohol “lawful products” including tobacco or alcohol, off the premises of Users’ Rights Law the employer. Requires payment of same wage to males and females for work Missouri Equal Pay Act requiring equal skill, effort, and responsibility in similar working conditions. Requires employers to give employees three hours paid leave in Voting Leave Act which to vote in any election in Missouri, unless employee has three consecutive nonworking hours in which to vote. Requires employers, if properly requested by terminated employee, Final Wage Payment to have final paycheck ready within 7 days of receipt of request. Statute Prohibits racial discrimination in the making and enforcing of Civil Rights Act of 1866 contracts (including employment contracts.) As to events taking (§1981) place after November 1991, includes any claim of discrimination during the employment relationship, including termination. Regulates relations between management and unions. Also National Labor protects employee’s right to choose unions or to reject unions. Relations Act Prohibits both management and unions from engaging in certain unfair labor practices. Political Activities of Generally, prevents employers from prohibiting employees from Employees engaging in political activities. Jury System ImproveProhibits discrimination against employees serving on a federal ments Act of 1978 jury. No discrimination against employee for testifying on behalf of Employment Security another employee. No discrimination against employee for receiving or responding to Jury Statute jury summons. Health Care Continuation Statutes Equal Pay Act (EPA) Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) Missouri Genetic Testing Law
Requires insurers and employers to provide up to 9 months of continued medical coverage for former employees. Divorced and surviving spouses 55+ may continue coverage up to age 65. Requires payment of same wage to males and females for work requiring equal skill, effort, and responsibility in similar working conditions. Prohibits discrimination against employees or applicants due to participation, potential participation or vesting in any employee benefit plan. Employer sponsoring a group health plan must offer qualified beneficiaries the right to continue coverage under the group health plan for 18-36 months. Prohibits use or disclosure of genetic information.
SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide 37
Benchmark
Law/Regulation
Ramification
Environmental/Health & Safety Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators of Hazardous Waste: • Generators of less than 1 kilogram of acute hazardous waste in a month, may accumulate up to 1 kilogram of acute hazardous waste before accumulation period begins. • Generators of up to 100 kilograms of hazardous waste in a month, may accumulate up to 1,000 kilograms of hazardous waste before accumulation period begins. Small Quantity Generators: • Generates at least 100 kilograms but less than 1,000 kilograms of hazardous waste in a month, may accumulate 6,000 kilograms of hazardous waste before accumulation period begins. • Part 70 Source: Facility has the potential to emit 10, 25, 50 or 100 tons per year of certain air pollutants (depends on nonattainment status of area for the pollutant emitted). • Intermediate Source: Facility has the potential to emit at Part 70 Source levels but has voluntarily agreed to enforceable limits on the rates of production, or greater control efficiencies to reduce potential emissions below Part 70 Source levels. • Basic Source: Facility has potential to emit greater than de minimis levels but not the potential to emit Part 70 Source levels. Facility has hazardous chemicals present at the facility at any one time in amounts equal to or greater than 10,000 pounds, or extremely hazardous substances present in an amount greater than or equal to 500 pounds, 55 gallons, or the threshold planning quantity (if lower). The Clean Air Act imposes stringent emissions limits on various air contaminate sources and also adds several new provisions to address acid rain, ozone depletion, and federally enforceable operating permits. Recently, the EPA initiated rulemaking that will require nearly all sources of CO2 and other green house gases to both monitor and report these emissions. Own or operate petroleum underground storage tanks.
Process involves one of over 130 listed chemicals in an amount exceeding a listed threshold level or involves any flammable gas or liquid in a quantity of 10,000 pounds or more. Employs 100 or fewer individuals on a company-wide basis.
An employer with more than 10 employees on a company-wide basis (except those in Standard Industrial Classification codes 52-89).
Hazardous Waste Regulations under RCRA
Missouri’s Operating Permit Rule— CSR 10-6.065
Hazardous Chemical Inventory Reporting under §311 of the Emergency Planning and Community RightTo-Know Act
Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990
Exceptions for the small quantity generator relax handling requirements. Allows the generator to accumulate hazardous waste on site until the amount of accumulated waste exceeds the small quantity exclusion limits. After this amount is exceeded, the time period allowed for accumulation of hazardous waste begins to run (90,180 or 270 days). If the generator does not exceed this time period, the generator need not obtain a RCRA Part B permit to store the waste.
Required the owner or operator of a Part 70 facility to apply for an operating permit and intermediate facilities to notify within 60 days after EPA approved Missouri’s permitting program (Final Interim EPA approval was effective May 13, 1996, so first year permit applications were due July 15, 1996). Required all other Part 70 facilities and all intermediate facilities with actual emissions less than 50% of the Part 70 thresholds to apply by May 13, 1997. Basic facilities were to apply by May 14, 1998. A Small Business Environmental Compliance Assistance Program has been established in both Missouri and Illinois to provide assistance to small businesses for permitting and technical matters. In Illinois call 1-800-252-3998. In Missouri call 1-800-361-4827. Requires owner or operator to submit reports on inventories of various chemicals based on certain threshold levels.
Missouri and Illinois have been delegated the authority to administer the regulations and permitting of air contaminant sources, including anticipated changes in monitoring and reporting green house gases. Both Missouri and Illinois have also adopted federal reform measures for New Source Review and Prevention of Significant Deterioration which will impact construction permit applications.
Requires owner or operator to provide proof of financial responsibility to cover costs of corrective action and liability to State Underground third parties resulting from releases from existing underground Storage Tank Programs petroleum storage tanks. All tanks not meeting “new” UST (Illinois and Missouri) standards were to have been upgraded by December 22, 1998 or be removed from service and closed. Process Safety Requires owners to perform a process hazard analysis and develop Management Rule under written operating procedures, employee training, emergency action the OSH Act plans, evaluation of mechanical integrity of critical equipment and 29 CFR 1910.119 written procedures for managing changes in process or procedures. EPA will eliminate or mitigate its settlement penalty demands against small businesses based on: (1) good faith effort to comply with applicable environmental requirements; (2) this is the EPA’s Interim Policy on business’s first violation of this requirement (no previous Compliance Incentives enforcement of that requirement within last 3 years); (3) the for Small Businesses violation has not caused or does not pose a serious harm or threat to health or the environment; (4) the violation does not involve criminal conduct; and (5) the violation is corrected within a specified period. Employer is required to record occupational injuries and illness OSHA’s Recording and on a log with a separate supporting record for each injury or Reporting of illness and post in the workplace the log for the previous Occupational Injuries calendar year during the following month of February. and Illnesses
Intellectual Property-Patents & Trade Secrets Infringement: If a client becomes aware of any question or fact that a product he may manufacture or sell might be covered by a patent, he is under a duty to conduct an investigation. Notices of infringement: A client may receive a notice of infringement from a patent owner.
38 SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide
Patent Act
Failure to investigate a potential infringement can be construed as bad faith and subject the client to treble damages and payment of attorneys’ fees. The notice should be promptly referred to patent counsel for investigation and a prompt response.
Legal
Benchmark
Law/Regulation
Ramification
Intellectual Property-Patents & Trade Secrets (continued) Potential patentable developments: If it is believed that an invention has been developed, a prompt investigation should be conducted to determine if the invention may potentially infringe an existing patent, and whether patent protection should be sought. Investigation needs Patent Act to be made before the development is made, offered, sold or commercially used. Document all new developments. Develop an internal invention disclosure and review program to secure employer’s rights and ownership with respect to inventions.
Failure to promptly file protection for a potentially patentable invention could result in loss of rights in the U.S. and abroad. Consider utility and/or design patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret protection. Software and methods of doing business may now be patented.
Develop a trade secret protection program. Consult counsel to implement such a program by which trade secrets are identified, cataloged and carefully protected.
Employees or others who have unnecessary access, or permit others to have access to trade secrets, may jeopardize protection of trade secrets. Use non-disclosure and non-compete agreements to protect trade secrets outside of and within a company. Companies must take reasonable measures to maintain secrecy of competitive information. Absent a written confidential disclosure waiver, outside submissions can raise an issue of whether confidential information is being disclosed and possibly jeopardize use of internally developed intellectual property. In some states, including Missouri, the laws do not always entitle companies to ownership rights in employees’ inventions unless there is a prior agreement so providing. Patent counsel can assist in establishing patent “watches” and other investigations to develop awareness of competitors’ patented technology and to determine a state-of-the-art for potentially patentable inventions. Such investigations can often identify areas for common activity.
Develop an outside inventions submission program. Consult counsel to implement such a program to avoid inadvertently receiving confidential disclosures. Use employment agreements or other technology agreements by which employees agree to disclose and protect company technological developments and other confidential information. Maintain patent “watches” to stay abreast of patents of competitors and competitive technologies.
Missouri Trade Secret Act
Case Law Case Law
Intellectual Property-Trademarks
Trademarks and trade names: Prior to use, an investigation should be conducted to determine if the proposed trademark or trade name is available for use. New trademarks used or planned for use in interstate commerce should be registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Maintain trademark and trade name “watches” to stay abreast of any infringements.
The Lanham Act
Failure to conduct a search of at least the federal records contained within the United States Patent and Trademark Office can result in costly conversions and potential damages for infringement. Federal trademark protection is an important asset. Exclusive right to use a trademark, service mark, or trade name may be lost if considered abandoned. Abandonment may result from lack of use over an extended period of time, failure to protest unauthorized use by others, or improper use by authorized users. Failure to timely respond to a notice of infringement can result in damages and payment of attorneys’ fees.
If the client receives notice of trademark infringement from a third party, such notice should be promptly brought to the attention of intellectual property counsel.
Intellectual Property-Trade Dress
Distinctive packaging, product design, decor, building designs, etc. including colors and shape should be protected.
The Lanham Act
Trademark protection should be obtained for all non-functional features; design patent protection should also be considered.
Intellectual Property-Copyrights
Client should promptly place copyright notice on all original works it creates, including Internet Webpage content. (©<year of first publication><owner of copyright>) Client should file an application with U.S. Copyright Office for all of its valued and/or critical copyrighted works. Client should file applications to cover each version of its copyrighted works and retain copies in their records of each such version. Client should file an application with U.S. Copyright Office within three months after publication of the work. Client should seek “special relief” when filing a copyright application to protect software, which allows up to 50% of any proprietary source code deposited with the U.S. Copyright Office to be kept secret. To the extent client uses non-employees to create copyrightable works, client should obtain written assignment of all rights in and to such works before the works are created and preferably before the independent contractor is paid to create such works. Client should have all of its employees sign an agreement prior to employment in which they agree to assign all rights in and to any works created by them within the scope of their employment. Client should record all transfers of copyright ownership of its works with the U.S. Copyright Office.
Legal
Title 17 US Code
Title 17 US Code
Title 17 US Code Case Law Title 17 US Code Case Law Title 17 US Code
Without a copyright notice, an infringer can assert an innocent infringement defense in mitigation of actual or statutory damages. A presumption of validity is only attributed to copyrighted works registered with the U.S. Copyright Office. Statutory damages in the amount of not less than $750 or more than $30,000 per infringement (which may be increased to $150,000 by a court) and attorney’s fees may be available for infringing activities that occur after registration. If application is not filed within this time frame, client cannot obtain an award of statutory damages or attorney’s fees for an infringement of copyright commenced after first publication of the work and before the effective date of its registration. If special relief is not sought, client’s complete source code will become a public record. If a work is “made for hire,” title automatically vests in commissioning party. Many types of works, which can include computer software, do not qualify as for treatment as a work “made for hire,” and without a written assignment of the work, the independent contractor owns all rights in and to the works he or she is commissioned to create. Without such an express agreement, the ownership of any such works may be left open. If a transfer of copyright is not recorded, a later transfer to a good faith, bona fide purchaser of rights in and to the works without notice of the previous transfer prevails.
SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide 39
Benchmark
Law/Regulation
Ramification
Intellectual Property-Copyrights (continued)
The copyright in a compilation or derivative work extends only to the material contributed by the author of such work, as distinguished from the pre-existing material employed in the work, and does not imply any exclusive right in the pre-existing material.
If client has not obtained rights to the pre-existing work, its compilation or derivative work based on the pre-existing work may infringe same.
BIG IDEAS & INVENTI Title 17 US Code
Intellectual Property-Domain Names
Clients should consider registering their company name or key Rights in domain names could be lost – for example, client could be product names in the following top-level domains (TLDs): .com, forced to transfer the domain name pursuant to an order resulting .biz (businesses), .us (requires U.S. nexus) and .net. Other TLDs from a domain name arbitration proceeding. In addition, there may that may be available to client include: .aero (air-transport industry), ICANN Dispute be potential trademark infringement liability. .coop (cooperatives), .edu (U.S. educational institutions), .gov (U.S. Resolution Policy government), .info, .int (organizations established by international Do IN not ST. use competitors names or metatags. LARGEST PATENT PRACTICE LOUIS trademarks as domain RECOGNITIONS treaty), .mil (U.S. military), .museum (museums), .name The Lanham Act (individuals), .org, .pro (accountants, lawyers, physicians and other > 55 intellectual property attorneys with degrees ranging > Named by General Electric Co. in professionals). Multiple TLD registrations are possible for a given Anticybersquatting from electrical and mechanical engineering to computer Journal report on “Who Represen name and, in many cases, are recommended. Consumer Protection for intellectual property and pate Prior to registering a TLD, an investigation should be conducted to science, biotechnology and chemistry Act determine if the domain name is confusingly similar to a U.S.
We Can Help Protect Them
> Listed as a 2009 “Go-To Law Firm Container Corporation for intelle
registered trademark, and, if the goods or services offered in 2009 EXPERIENCE connection with the domain name are the same or similar to those > 1,125 patent applications filed associated with the registered trademark.
> 388 applications originally drafted and filed
> Rated as one of the top patent la
and by Intellectual > 222 trademark applications The chart is not, nor is it intended to be, a comprehensive summary of the threshold levels at which the statutes regulationsProperty Today cited therein take effect, and it is qualified in its entirety by reference to the appropriate statute and regulations. > Noted by Fortune 250 companies
Chart compiled in June 2010 by: Joseph D. Demko, Daniel K. O’Toole, Robert B. Reeser III, “Who Protects IP America” Roger A. Walker, all with the law firm of Armstrong Teasdale LLP.
Patrick W. Rasche, Intellectual Property Practice Group Leader www.armstrongteasdale.com / 800.243.5070 The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.
BIG IDEAS & INVENTIONS We Can Help Protect Them LARGEST PATENT PRACTICE IN ST. LOUIS > 55 intellectual property attorneys with degrees ranging from electrical and mechanical engineering to computer science, biotechnology and chemistry
RECOGNITIONS > Named by General Electric Co. in the 2009 National Law Journal report on “Who Represents Corporate America” for intellectual property and patent prosecution service
2009 EXPERIENCE > 1,125 patent applications filed > 388 applications originally drafted and filed > 222 trademark applications
> Listed as a 2009 “Go-To Law Firm®” by Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation for intellectual property > Rated as one of the top patent law firms in the country by Intellectual Property Today > Noted by Fortune 250 companies in Who’s Who of “Who Protects IP America”
Patrick W. Rasche, Intellectual Property Practice Group Leader www.armstrongteasdale.com / 800.243.5070 The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.
40 SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide
Legal
AAIM Management Association
American Management Association
American Society of Women Accountants
American Success Institute
Association for Corporate Growth
Better Business Bureau
Business Empowerment Center
Business Links - International Institute of St. Louis
Business Marketing Association
Business.Gov
Center for Emerging Technologies
Center for Entrepreneurship & Outreach
Center for Women's Business Research
Commerce, U.S. Department of, St. Louis
Community Service Public Relations Council (CSPRC)
Computer Consultants of St. Louis
CPCU Society (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters)-
Direct Marketing Association of St. Louis
Downtown St. Louis Partnership, Inc.
East Central College
Economic Development Center of St. Charles County
Economic Development Corporation of Jefferson County
Employee Benefits Association
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
ESPW- Encouraging, Supporting, & Promoting Women, Inc.
on
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Export-Import Bank of the United States
Financial Planning Association - Missouri/Southern Illinois
General Services Administration (GSA)
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan St. Louis
Illinois Dept. of Central Management Services
Resources Index
Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO)
Illinois Dept. of Professional Regulation
Chambers of Commerce
Illinois Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Businesspersons Between Jobs (BBJ)
Grace Hill's Women's Business Center
Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
Environmental Improvement & Energy Resources Authority
Other
Women
Technology
Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP)
Start-Up
Procurement
Minority
Marketing & Advertising
American Society for Training & Development (ASTD)
ATC Small Business Incubator
American Marketing Association
Association of Home-Based Women Entrepreneurs
Export/Import
American Business Women's Association American Entrepreneurs for Economic Growth
International
General Management
Financial Management
Financial Assistance
Education & Training
Nonprofit organizations and agencies serving business owners. Contact information and description for each follow the index.
Business Planning
Resources For Your Business
SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide 41
Illinois Innovators and Inventors, Inc.
Internal Revenue Service
International Association of Business Communicators
International Franchise Association
International Trade Center
Japan America Society of St. Louis
Jefferson College
Job Training Programs, Jefferson/Franklin County
Labor Statistics, Bureau of
Lambert St. Louis International Airport, DBE Program
Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois
Lindenwood University
Mid-America Trade Adjustment Assistance Center
Mid.Tec Corporation of St. Louis
Missouri Business Portal
Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Missouri Dept. of Economic Development
Missouri Dept. of Labor & Industrial Relations
Missouri Dept. of Natural Resources
Missouri Dept. of Natural Resources, Energy Center
Missouri Dept. of Revenue, Div. of Taxation & Collection
Missouri Dept. of Transportation – Div. of Motor Carrier
Missouri Div. of Professional Registration
Missouri Dept. of Transportation - External Civil Rights
Missouri Forest Products Association
Missouri Merchants & Manufacturers Association
Missouri Office of Supplier and Workforce Diversity
Missouri Secretary of State
Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants
Missouri Div. of Purchasing & Material Management
Missouri Treasurer's Office
Missouri Value Added Development Center
Missouri Venture Forum
Missouri Women's Council
MoFAST SBIR/STTR Assistance Center
42 SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide
Missouri Dept. of Insurance
Missouri Career Center
Missouri Securities Division
Inventors Assistance Center Inventors Association of St. Louis (IASL)
International Trade and Investment
Missouri Enterprise
Other
Justine Petersen Housing & Reinvestment Corporation
Institute for Supply Management-St. Louis, Inc. Institute of Management Consultants
Start-Up
Procurement
Women
Illinois Dept. of Transportation Small Business Enterprises
Technology
Illinois Dept. of Transportation
Minority
Marketing & Advertising
Export/Import
International
General Management
Financial Management
Financial Assistance
Education & Training
Nonprofit organizations and agencies serving business owners. Contact information and description for each follow the index.
Business Planning
Resources For Your Business
Resources Index
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Mortgage Bankers Association of St, Louis
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Start-Up
Procurement
Minority
Marketing & Advertising
Export/Import
International
General Management
Financial Management
Financial Assistance
�
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�
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MOKAN
Education & Training
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Business Planning
Resources For Your Business
�
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River Bend Growth Associates
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SBDC Illinois and Missouri
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SCORE Association in Illinois and Missouri
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Resources Index
�
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Society for Technical Communications Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals Southern Illinois Entrepreneurship Center SouthernTECH Southwestern Illinois Entrepreneurship Center SSDN - Cherokee Place St. Charles City - County Library, Spencer Road St. Charles City - Department of Economic Development St. Charles Community College, Workforce Development St. Charles County Dept. of Government Workforce Dev. St. Louis Black Leadership Roundtable St. Louis Business Diversity Initiative St. Louis Business Networking Breakfast St. Louis City Library St. Louis Coaches St. Louis Community College, CBIL
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SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide 43
St. Louis Community College, Continuing Education St. Louis Community College, Emerson Center St. Louis County Economic Council (SLCEC) St. Louis County Library Headquarters St. Louis County Planning Department St. Louis Development Corp. St. Louis Development Corp., Business Assistance Center St. Louis Enterprise Centers St. Louis Enterprise Centers-Midtown St. Louis Enterprise Centers-South County St. Louis Enterprise Centers-Wellston St. Louis Enterprise Centers-West County St. Louis Graphic Arts & Communications Association St. Louis Minority Business Council (SLMBC) St. Louis Publishers Association St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association St. Louis Small Business Monthly St. Louis Volunteer Lawyers & Accountants for the Arts St. Louis-Jefferson Solid Waste Management District Technology Entrepreneur Center Toastmasters International Trade Information Center U.S. Chamber of Commerce U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC) U.S. GPO Access U.S. Patent and Trademark Office U.S. Small Business Administrations U.S. Small Business Administration Government Contracting U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy UCM Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies and Development UM -St. Louis Small Business Development Center Union Development Corp. University of Missouri Extension, St. Charles University of Missouri System, Minority Development University of Missouri-St. Louis, Continuing Education Veterans Business Resource Center Washington University, Skandalaris Center s Web Innovations & Technology Services Web Marketing Association, Inc. Webster University School of Business and Technology Women Entrepreneur Lunch Group Women in Technology International Women Lawyers Association of Greater St. Louis World Affairs Council of St. Louis World Trade Center Saint Louis
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sbmon.com THE BEST RESOURCE FOR ST. LOUIS AREA BUSINESS OWNERS 44 SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide
Other
Women
Technology
Start-Up
Procurement
Minority
Marketing & Advertising
Export/Import
International
General Management
Financial Management
Financial Assistance
Business Planning
Nonprofit organizations and agencies serving business owners. Contact information and description for each follow the index.
Education & Training
Resources For Your Business
Resources Index
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AAIM Employers’ Association 1600 S. Brentwood Blvd., Ste. 400 St. Louis, MO 63144-1307 314-968-3600 Fax: 314-968-4206 margaret@aaimea.org www.aaimstl.org An employers association providing a wide range of high-value business solutions improving organizations through recruitment services, organization development, human resource practices, wage and salary surveys, benefit consulting, merger and acquisition consulting, and outplacement services.
ABackRub Co.com LLC Sid Wasserman 2388 Schultz Rd, Ste A60 St. Louis, MO 63146 314-983-9464 www.abackrubco.com Massage and wellness products, great products great price. Oster massager jeanie rub massages. All earthlite massage products, theracane on-site massage any event $65 per therapist, per hour. We are available to give you direction with massage & wellness products. Just Ask.
AccuPay APS Payroll Service Reta Seals 400 Chesterfield Ctr. Suite 400 Chesterfield, MO 63049 (800)354-0087 payday@accupayaps.net www.accupayaps.net For 19 years AccuPay has focused on maintaining excellent client communication! Through our client feedback we have focused our efforts in providing payroll, HR and timekeeping services that present the most value to our customers. Today we proudly serve several hundred local area businesses that have expanded our reach to over 48 states. We are proud to be a MO based business and will continue to work diligently to maintain the trust and loyalty of our customers for many years to come. 46 SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide
month, and cover a variety of educational topics from the world of marketing. Affinity Law Group 755 S. New Ballas Road, Suite 140 St. Louis, Mo 63141 (314)872-3333 Telephone (314) 872-3365 Facsimile www.affinitylawgrp.com Affinity Law Group, LLC provides legal services to businesses, their owners, and their executives at all stages of their life cycles. Services range from general business, mergers/acquisitions, labor/ employment law, real estate, estate planning, asset protection, and much more. In addition to services offered, clients are highly favorable of Affinity’s alternative billing arrangements. American Entrepreneurs for Economic Growth 1655 N. Fort Myer Dr., Ste. 850 Arlington, VA 22209 703-524-3743 Fax: 703-524-3940 achappell@aeeg.org www.aeeg.org Dedicated to uniting innovative, emerging growth businesses across industry lines to promote positive national government action that benefits the investment and entrepreneurial communities and stimulates economic growth. American Management Association 1601 Broadway New York, NY 10019 1-800-854-4493 Fax: 212-903-8168 www.amanet.org A membership-based management development organization, AMA offers a full range of business education and management development programs for individuals and organizations in Europe, the Americas and Asia. American Marketing Association 100 N. Florida Ave. Belleville, IL 62221 Fax: 636-272-3252 info@ama-stl.org www.ama-stl.org Professional society of individuals from a variety of areas in marketing, from both corporate and agency backgrounds, and dedicated to the advancement of the study and practice of marketing. Meetings are held the second Wednesday of each
American Society for Training & Development (ASTD) 1693 S. Hanley Road St. Louis, MO 63144 314-416-0404 Fax: 314-845-1891 www.astdstl.org Serves the professional needs of specialists in training, adult education, and human resource development. Member benefits include: member discounts on monthly programs and special events, access to position referral service, monthly newsletters and annual membership directory, and opportunities for learning networking, leadership, peer recognition, and professional growth. American Society of Women Accountants alisadougherty@yahoo.com www.aswastlouis.org Enables women in all accounting and related fields to achieve their full personal, professional and economic potential and to contribute to the future development of their profession. American Success Institute 5 N. Main St. Natick, MA 01760 508-651-3303 Fax: 508-653-2924 info@success.org www.success.org A nonprofit educational and philanthropic organization. Mission is to create a worldwide community in which all members are fully involved participants living and encouraging the expansion of the Action Principle ideals of self-improvement and service.
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Stacy O’Neal, Authorized Agent 1831 Chestnut St. St. Louis MO 63103 314-923-5568 stacy.oneal@anthem.com Anthem offers individual health plans for all ages, from newborn to seniors, in addition to life and dental benefits. There are plans for small business owners, individuals without group coverage, the self-employed and dependents and students, as well as COBRA alternative plans for those between jobs. Resources
Association for Corporate Growth P.O. Box 69104 St. Louis, MO 63169-0104 314.862.6751 Fax: 314-621-2529 acgstlouis@acg.org www.acg.org/stlouis Association for professionals involved in middle-market corporate growth, corporate development, and mergers and acquisitions. ACG St. Louis promotes the professional interests of its members, who have assumed leadership roles in strategic corporate growth, by offering a forum for quality programs, education and networking. Association of Home-Based Women Entrepreneurs P.O. Box 31561 St. Louis, MO 63131-1561 314-805-9519 info@hbwe.org www.hbwe.org An organization dedicated to women working from home-based offices that provides education, networking, leads and mentoring for professional growth in a dynamic, energetic, friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
and conference rooms provided. Network services provided included T1 access, data storage, and firewall security. The facility is managed by the Economic Development Center of St. Charles County. A x xel
Business Solutions Axxel Business Solutions Richard Clark, Principal Office: 636-549-3413 Mobile: 949-683-4563 E-mail:
raclark@axxelbusiness.com
P.O. Box 325 Eureka, MO 63025
Business consulting and advice by award-winning, seasoned business professionals designed to enhance performance. We help you develop real solutions for your business—no matter how small or large—and provide the help you need to succeed in the competitive St. Louis marketplace. We offer creative and effective solutions to: • Strategic & Business Plans •
Market Analysis & Development
•
Financial Plans
•
Presentations
•
Business Writing
•
Operations Improvement
Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP) P.O. Box 410291 St. Louis, MO 63141 John J. Zeman 866-208-2226 http://www.stlouisaitp.org JJZEMAN@aol.com A national professional organization for information technology (IT) professionals to help them advance their careers and to advance the IT profession as a whole. Offers opportunities for IT professionals to network with other fellow IT professionals, develop leadership skills, and learn about current topics and issues in the IT field.
Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis - Lawyer Referral & Information Service 720 Olive, Ste. 2900 St. Louis, MO 63101-2308 314-621-6681 Fax: 314-421-0013 LRIS@bamsl.org www.bamsl.org Provides a referral to a lawyer who practices in the specific area of law required by the caller. Member attorneys are all x xel licensed to practice,Aare in ‘Good Standing’ with the licensing board, carry profesBusiness Solutions sional library insurance, and have agreed Axxel Business Solutions to provide a Principal free initial consultation of up Richard Clark, Office: 636-549-3413 to one-half hour. In most practice areas, Mobile: 949-683-4563 there is a $30 administrative fee which E-mail: raclark@axxelbusiness.com doesP.O.not have to be paid up front. Box 325
ATC Small Business Incubator 118 N. Second St. St. Charles, MO 63301 636-410-0300 Fax: 636-940-0408 info@edcscc.com www.edcscc.com This 9,000 square-foot incubator facility located in the heart of historic St. Charles provides a professional and supportive environment for early-stage entrepreneurs and small business owners needing office space at competitive rates on a month-to-month lease. Front desk staff, shared office equipment
Better Business Bureau, serving Eastern Business consulting and advice by award-winning, Missouri Southern Illinois seasonedand business professionals designed to enhance performance. We help you develop real 15 Sunnen Dr., Ste. 107 solutions for your business—no matter how small or St. Louis, 63143-1400 large—andMO provide the help you need to succeed in the competitive St. Louis marketplace. We offer 314-645-3300 creative and effective solutions to: bbb@stlouisbbb.org • Strategic & Business Plans stlouis.bbb.org • Market Analysis & Development Processes consumer marketplace inqui• Financial Plans • Presentations ries and complaints about firms’ business • Business Writing practices. Conducts advertising review, • Operations Improvement investigations and provides consumer tips and warnings. Provides research and training on customer relations.
Resources
Eureka, MO 63025
BSW Small Business Services LLC 10151 Corporate Square, Ste. 100 A x xel St. Louis, MO 63132 Business Solution 314.894.8529 info@bswsmallbusiness.com Axxel Business Solutions Richard Clark, Principal www.bswsmallbusiness.com Office: 636-549-3413 Karen Stern, CPA Mobile: 949-683-4563 A full-service accountingE-mail: firmraclark@axxelbusiness.com providing QuickBooks training P.O. Box 325and Eureka, MO 63025 installation, bookkeeping, tax and accounting services for companies Business consulting and advice by a seasoned business professionals de with revenues ranging from start-up performance. We help you to over $10,000,000. enhance solutions for your business—no matt
large—and provide the help you need the competitive St. Louis marketplac creative and effective solutions to: Zone • Strategic & Business Plans
Business Empowerment 100 North Tucker, Ste. 540 • Market Analysis & Development • Financial Plans St. Louis, MO 63101 • Presentations 314-241-0002 Fax: 314-241-4099 • Business Writing info@stlouisezone.org http://www.stlouisezone.org• Operations Improvement In collaboration with area’s economic development, planning and technical assistance agencies, the Greater St. Louis Regional Empowerment Zone provides assistance in the areas of research, business plan development, marketing, loan packaging to existing and new small businesses throughout the region.
Business Marketing Association 512 N. Warson St. Louis, MO 63141 314-995-0022 Fax: 314-997-3720 A x xel judy@blives.com Business Solution www.bma-stl.org Axxel BusinessorgaSolutions St. Louis chapter of an international Richard Clark, Principal nization which provides information and Office: 636-549-3413 Mobile: 949-683-4563 contacts for business marketers. Members E-mail: raclark@axxelbusiness.com are involved in business-to-business comP.O. Box 325 munications, including business and proEureka, MO 63025 fessional advertisers, agencies, suppliers Business and publishers. Meetings held theconsulting secondand advice by a seasoned business professionals de Friday of each month. enhance performance. We help you
solutions for your business—no matt
provide the help you need Businesspersons Betweenlarge—and Jobs (BBJ) the competitive St. Louis marketplac creative and effective solutions to: 601 Claymont Dr. • Strategic & Business Plans Ballwin, MO 63011 • Market Analysis & Development 636-394-1440 Fax: 636-394-2257 • Financial Plans BBJoffice@bbj.org • Presentations www.bbj.org • Business Writing Organization of business executives • Operationsand Improvement professionals who find themselves temporarily in a career transition. Reservoir of
SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide 47
highly qualified professional talent in all academic disciplines. Helps individuals through the job search process.
Chambers of Commerce—Brentwood 314-963-9007 www.brentwoodmochamber.com
Center for Emerging Technologies 4041 Forest Park Ave. St. Louis, MO 63108 314-615-6900 Fax: 314-615-6901 info@emergingtech.org www.emergingtech.org Works with startup, early stage and advanced technology companies and with universities to identify technology with commercial potential. Connects technology entrepreneurs to business, technology and financial resources.
Chambers of Commerce--Chesterfield 636-532-3399 www.chesterfieldmochamber.com
Center for Entrepreneurship & Outreach 203 University Center, 300 W. 12th St. Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla, MO 65409-1110 573-341-4690 Fax: 573-341-6579 ECODEVO@MST.EDU http://ECODEVO.MST.EDU Integrates the activities of faculty, students and small business clients by encouraging research, graduating well-trained, entrepreneurial students and identifying issues that require public policy attention. Center for Women’s Business Research 1760 Old Meadow Road, Suite 500, McLean, VA 22102 703-556-7162 Fax: 703-506-3266 info@womensbusinessresearch.org www.womensbusinessresearch.org The premier source of information and statistics on women business owners and their enterprises worldwide. A nonprofit research institute focusing on women entrepreneurs. Supports the growth of women business owners and their enterprises through conducting research, sharing information, and increasing knowledge. Chambers of Commerce Promote business and betterment of business operations in their specific area. Chambers of Commerce—Affton 314-849-6499 www.afftonchamber.com Chambers of Commerce—Arnold 636-296-1910 www.arnoldchamber.org
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Chambers of Commerce—Clayton 314-726-3033 www.claytoncommerce.com Chambers of Commerce—Collinsville 618-344-2884 www.discovercollinsville.com Chambers of Commerce—Crestwood/ Sunset Hills Area Chamber 314-843-8545 www.ourchamber.com Chambers of Commerce—Creve CoeurOlivette 314-569-3536 www.ccochamber.com Chambers of Commerce—Edwardsville/Glen Carbon 618-656-7600 www.edglenchamber.com Chambers of Commerce—Eureka 636-938-6062 www.eurekachamber.org Chambers of Commerce—Fenton 636-717-0200 www.fentonmochamber.com Chambers of Commerce—Florissant Valley 314-831-3500 www.florissantvalleycc.com Chambers of Commerce—Greater Belleville 618-233-2015 www.bellevillechamber.org Chambers of Commerce—Growth Association of Southwestern IL 618-467-2280 www.growthassociation.com
Chambers of Commerce—Junior Chamber International (JCI) Metro 636-449-3100 www.jci.cc/metro Chambers of Commerce— Kirkwood-Des Peres 314-821-4161 www.kirkwooddesperes.com Chambers of Commerce— Lake St. Louis/Dardenne Prarie 636-699-0045 lsldpchamber.org Chambers of Commerce—Lemay 314-631-2796 www.lemaychamber.com Chambers of Commerce—Maplewood 314-781-8588 maplewood-chamber.com Chambers of Commerce—Maryland Heights 314-576-6603, www.mhcc.com Chambers of Commerce—North County 314-521-6000 www.northcountycc.com Chambers of Commerce—Northwest 314-291-2131 www.northwestchamber.com Chambers of Commerce—O’Fallon 636-240-1818 www.ofallonchamber.org Chambers of Commerce—O’Fallon, IL 618-632-3377 www.ofallonchamber.com Chambers of Commerce—Richmond Heights www.richmondheights.org Chambers of Commerce—South County 314-894-6800 www.southcountychamber.net
Chambers of Commerce—Highland 618-654-3721 www.highlandillinois.com
Chambers of Commerce—Southwestern Madison County 618-876-6400 www.chamberswmadisoncounty.com
Chambers of Commerce—Hispanic 314-664-4432 www.hccstl.com
Chambers of Commerce—St. Charles 636-946-0633 www.stcharleschamber.org Resources
Chambers of Commerce—St. Louis RCGA 314-231-5555 www.stlrcga.org Chambers of Commerce—St. Peters 636-447-3336 www.stpeterschamber.com Chambers of Commerce—Town & Country/Frontenac 314-469-3335 tcfchamber.com Chambers of Commerce—Troy Area 618-667-8769 www.troycoc.com Chambers of Commerce—Twin City Area 636-931-7697 www.twincity.org Chambers of Commerce—Union Area 636-583-8979 www.unionmochamber.org Chambers of Commerce—Washington Area 636-239-2715 www.washmo.org Chambers of Commerce—Webster Groves\Shrewsbury 314-962-4142 www.webstershrewsburychamber.com Chambers of Commerce—Wentzville 636-327-6914 www.wentzvillechamber.com Chambers of Commerce—West St. Louis County 636-230-9900 www.westcountychamber.com Commerce, St. Louis U.S. Export Assistance Center 8235 Forsyth Blvd., Ste. 520 St. Louis, MO 63105 314-425-3302 Fax: 314-425-3381 Office.StLouis@trade.gov www.buyusa.gov/stlouis The primary federal government agency offering export development programs for small to medium-sized companies. An agency of the Commerce Department, the U.S. Commercial Service has a global network of trade experts in 165 offices across the U.S. and in 82 countries throughout Resources
the world. Last year, we helped U.S. businesses generate export sales worth more than $23 billion. Community Service Public Relations Council (CSPRC) 1693 South Hanley Road St. Louis, MO 63144 314-416-2237 Fax: 314-845-1891 info@csprc.org csprc.org A group of public relations professionals usually in the nonprofit community that gather monthly for networking, education and personal growth. Members comprise aspects of public relations, communications, development, fund-raising, and the graphic arts in the nonprofit sector. Computer Consultants of St. Louis 314-995-4652 info@ccsl.org www.ccsl.org Association of professional consultants serving business computer users in the greater St. Louis area. Dinner meetings with a social hour beforehand are held the second Tuesday of each month. CPCU Society (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters)-St. Louis Chapter 101 S. Hanley Rd., Ste. 700 St. Louis, MO 63105 314-725-8394, Ext. 265 314-725-4317 preilly@ipsico.com www.stlouis.cpcusociety.org Organization of insurance professionals whose members have earned the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters designation. Offers free programs to groups and organizations on insurance concerns. Conducts monthly meetings focused on timely risk management topics. Direct Marketing Association of St. Louis P.O. Box 1005 Washington, MO 63090 866-516-0121 Fax: 636-390-0573 dmaadmin@dmastl.org www.dmastl.org Supports direct marketing best practices and provides St. Louis area marketers with educational resources and a network of business contacts.
Downtown St. Louis Partnership, Inc. 720 Olive Street, Ste. 450 St. Louis, MO 63101 314-436-6500 Fax: 314-436-1646 sryan@downtownstl.org www.downtownstl.org The Downtown St. Louis Partnership is a not-for-profit organization, representing the downtown business and residential community, in pursuit of a healthy and vital downtown area. In that role, it also serves as the manager of the Community Improvement District that provides funding to implement services that make downtown clean, safe and inviting. East Central College 1964 Prairie Dell Rd. Union, MO 63084 636-583-5193 Fax: 636-583-1897 halldr@eastcentral.edu www.eastcentral.edu A community college. Courses include topics on general management, accounting, startups, marketing/advertising, procurement/purchasing, business planning, and financial and industrial management. Economic Development Center of St. Charles County 5988 Mid Rivers Mall Dr. , Ste. 100 St. Charles, MO 63304 636-441-6880 Fax: 636-441-6881 info@edcscc.com www.edcscc.com The EDC has issued nearly $164 million in business financing since year 2000 and helped create and retain nearly 5,260 jobs in the local area. To serve businesses of all sizes, the EDC offers financing programs, business counseling, tenant space at its two small business incubators, monthly business training seminars and recruitment/retention services. The EDC manages the County’s Industrial Development Authority’s revenue bond program, is a Certified Development Corporation for SBA 504 Loans and maintains a satellite office for the Missouri Small Business Development Center. The 60,000-squarefoot EDC incubator in St. Peters provides a professional and supportive environment for early stage entrepreneurs and small business owners needing office, light manufacturing and warehouse/distribution space. Month-to-month leases at competitive rates are available and other provided services include front desk staff, shared office equipment, conference rooms and loading docks.
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Economic Development Corporation of Jefferson County P.O. Box 623 5217 Hwy. B Hillsboro, MO 63050 636-797-5336 Fax: 636-797-5080 cwendler@jeffcomo.org www.jeffcountymo.org Provides financial and other assistance to companies located in and interested in locating in Jefferson County. Also see ‘Programs for Small Business Lending.’ Employee Benefits Association 2839 Victor 2nd. Floor St. Louis, MO 63104 314-647-1000 Fax: 314.771.6965 www.ebastl.org Organizations that join EBA are private employers, associations, not-for-profit, public employers and providers of employee benefit services and products. Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) 9387 Dielman Ind. Drive, Ste. 100 St. Louis, MO 63132 314-692-7575 info@eonetwork.org www.eonetwork.org A group of entrepreneurs who are under 40 years old, owners and/or majority shareholders of companies with at least $1 million in revenues. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Robert A. Young Bldg. 1222 Spruce, Rm 8.100 St. Louis, MO 63103 800-669-4000 Fax: 314-539-7894 james.neely@eeoc.gov www.eeoc.gov Federal agency charged with enforcing employment laws regarding race, sex, color, natural origin, religion, age or disability. Laws include: Title VII of Civil Rights of 1964, as amended, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Equal Pay Act, and the American Disabilities Act. ESPW- Encouraging, Supporting, & Promoting Women, Inc. P.O. Box 38 Cottleville, MO 63338 314-995-5094 espw@espw.org www.espw.org A professional women’s organization with chapters in St. Charles, St. Louis and Southwestern Illinois whose mission is to give 50 SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide
every woman the opportunity to explore her full professional and personal potential through the encouragement, support and promotion of each of our members and to unify the community of women with a strong sense of empowerment and focus. Export-Import Bank of the United States 811 Vermont Ave., NW Washington, DC 20571 800-565-3946 Fax: 202-565-3931 info@exim.gov www.exim.gov Facilitates the export of U.S. goods and services. Provides both short- and longterm financing for export sales; guarantees on private loans to U.S. exporters and their foreign customers; and insurance, enabling U.S. exporters to extend credit to their overseas buyers. Financial Planning Association - Missouri/Southern Illinois P.O. Box 410384 St. Louis, MO 63141 314-997-3390 Fax: 314-432-5894 susgrp@charter.net www.fpastlouis.org Dedicated to helping experienced CFP member practitioners strengthen the financial well-being of their clients and the integrity and growth of their own practice.
Franklin Capital Network Kay Berry 314.435 2803 636.561 5279 Kay.Berry@Franklincapitalnetwork. com www.Franklincapitalnetwork.com We are a financial service company that provides credit programs to meet the cash requirements of small to medium-size businesses. Whether your company is a recent start-up, a fast growing business outstripping it’s cash resources, in a turnaround mode or in Chapter 11, Franklin Capital can provide immediate working capital. Accounts Receivable Financing • Purchase Order Financing • Equipment Financing • Inventory Financing
Grace Hill’s Women’s Business Center 2324 N. Florissant Ave. St. Louis, MO 63106 314-584-6840 Fax: 314-584-6841 kristyk@gracehill.org www.gracehill.org Helps women start a new business or expand an existing business. Services include: business development courses; one-on-one business counseling; loan packaging and more. A public/private partnership with the U. S. Small Business Administration.
Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C. 10 S. Broadway, Suite 2000 St. Louis, MO 63102 (314) 345-4755 Fax: (314) 241-8624 www.greensfelder.com Greensfelder was founded in 1895 and offers comprehensive legal solutions in 17 practice groups for clients locally, nationally and internationally. The firm’s offices are located in St. Louis, Mo. and Chicago and Belleville, Ill. It is also the exclusive Meritas http:// www.meritas.org/ law firm for metro St. Louis.
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan St. Louis 3611 South Grand Blvd., Ste. 105 St. Louis, MO 63118 314-664-4432 executive@hccstl.com www.hccstl.com Provides networking opportunities. Works to strengthen the community by providing and generating services which will foster the business interests and amplify the presence of the Hispanic entrepreneur. Illinois Dept. of Central Management Services 207 State House Springfield, IL 62706-4100 217-782-0244 Fax: 217-558-1759 www.sell2.illinois.gov Businesses wishing to do business with the state are encouraged to apply for qualification as an approved vendor and to bid on the items they can supply. Resources
Illinois Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity 620 E. Adams Springfield, IL 62701 800-875-6055 www.illinoisbiz.biz Information on starting and running a business in Illinois, loans, business requirements, assistance programs and more. Illinois Dept. of Professional Regulation 320 West Washington St. Springfield, IL 62786 217-785-0800 Fax: 217-782-3414 www.ildpr.com Main licensing agency for most professions. Illinois Dept. of Transportation 2300 S. Dirksen Parkway Springfield, IL 62764 217-782-7820 www.dot.il.gov IDOT contracting opportunities include statewide highway, bridge, road and airport construction-related services, professional consultant services, material supply, equipment rental and trucking services. The Bureau of Small Business Enterprises is responsible for administering the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program. Illinois Dept. of Transportation Small Business Enterprises 217-785-5947 www.dot.il.gov/sbe/ssassistance.html Provides assistance to disadvantaged business enterprises in the areas of management, technical, technology, finance and bonding, job training, and employment utilization. Provides supportive services at no cost to IDOT DBE-certified firms and those firms applying for DB certification with the State of Illinois. Illinois Innovators and Inventors, Inc. P.O. Box 623 Edwardsville, IL 62025 inventorclub@yahoo.com http://ilinventor.tripod.com/ An independent not-for-profit organization developed for Illinois and St. Louis area inventors for the purpose of encouraging the interchange of useful information among inventors. Institute for Supply Management- St. Louis, Inc. P.O. Box 31673 Resources
St. Louis, MO 63131 314-646-7442 Fax: 314-646-7442 ismstl@sbcglobal.net www.ismstlouis.org A professional association of individuals employed in the supply management fields. From participation in monthly meetings, seminars and workshops and with the constant communication of monthly newsletter, Buylines, ISM- St. Louis, Inc. provides a forum for the exchange of supply management information. Institute of Management Consultants 410 N. Fourth St. St. Louis, MO 63102 314-241-5665 Fax: 419-844-3677 info@imcstlouis.org www.imcstlouis.org International professional organization that provides certification, education, networking opportunities, and referrals. Internal Revenue Service 1122 Town & Country Commons Dr. Chesterfield, MO 63017 314-612-4002 www.irs.gov Sponsors small, home-based and online business workshops. An employment-tax workshop is offered for small-business owners who have employees. Goal is to inform small-business owners of their tax-filing requirements when they enter business, and provide them with the tax information they need as their businesses expand and grow. International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)/St. Louis 4728 Hedgemont Dr. St. Louis, MO 63128 314-416-2260 Fax: 314-845-1891 info@iabcstl.org www.iabcstl.org Monthly meetings provide a forum for members to learn more about communication trends and issues, as well as meet fellow communicators. Members include public relations and business communicators, graphic designers, etc. International Trade and Investment 301 W. High St., Rm. 720 P. O. Box 118 Jefferson City, MO 65102 866-647-3633 missouridevelopment@ded.mo.gov www.missouridevelopment.org/busi-
ness%20solutions.aspx Assists Missouri companies to facilitate new business opportunities internationally. Professional staff is available to take the fear and uncertainty out of doing business in the global market. No matter if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re experienced in international marketing or just starting out, the Missouri Office of International Trade and Investment has the support and services that you need to succeed. International Trade Center Box 1107, SIU Edwardsville Edwardsville, IL 62026 618-650-2452 Fax: 618-650-2647 International-Trade-Center@siue.edu www.siue.edu/ITC Located at Southern Illinois UniversityEdwardsville, helps businesses meet the challenges of global economy and international trade. Inventors Assistance Center P.O. Box 1450 Alexandria, Va 22313-1450 800-786-9199 www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/dapp/ pacmain.html Provides patent information and services to the public. The IAC is staffed by former Supervisory Patent Examiners and experienced Primary Examiners who answer general questions concerning patent examining policy and procedure. Inventors Association of St. Louis (IASL) P.O. Box 410111 St. Louis, MO 63141 314-432-1291 dayjobIASL@webtv.net www.inventorsconnection.org/resource_ pages/42646.html Meets monthly. Features speakers and discussions on topics of interest to inventors and idea people. Proper Inventive Procedure is disclosed and discussed. A Patent Attorney or Patent Agent is in attendance. Meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 6 to 9pm at St. Louis County Library Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd.,East Meeting Room. Check website for meeting dates. Japan America Society of St. Louis Center for International Studies University of Missouri-St. Louis 366 Social Sciences and Business Building One University Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63121-4400 SBM 2010-11 Business Ownersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Guide 51
314-516-5754 Fax: 314-516-6757 200 University Park Dr., Ste. 240 cisjas@umsl.edu Edwardsville, IL 62025 http://www.us-japan.org/jasstl 618-692-9745 Fax: 618-692-9779 Presents current U.S.-Japanese issues and pmckeehan@siue.edu • Improve cash flow provides networking opportunities bewww.siteselection-il.com • Increase profits tween American and Japanese businesses. A broad-based economic development • Promote growth Southwestern Offers several additional services for Japa- corporation representing nese and American companies wantingLocal to funder Illinois. • Quick advances on invoices do business overseas. Timely rebates • No up-front or hidden fees
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Jefferson College 1000 Viking Dr. Call Joy Ann at Hillsboro, MO 63050 636-458-2612 636-797-3000 Fax: 636-789-4012 joyann@lexxfunding.com Lexx Funding, Inc. www.lexxfunding.com ckline1@jeffco.edu Joy Ann Venverloh, Pres. www.jeffco.edu 636 458 2612 The Business and Technology Center Fax 636 787 0543 (BTC) provides customized business/ joyann@lexxfunding.com industry services including training, www.lexxfunding.com seminars, economic development and training grants. Specializes in manageLexx Funding solves cash flow probment, professional development, computer lems of small to mid-sized companies. training, office skills, small business, retail Through our Purchase Order Funding and technical training. and our Accounts Receivable program, we convert your small invoices Justine Petersen Housing and government contracts into imme& Reinvestment Corporation diate cash to increase working capital, 1023 North Grand Blvd. improve profits, and promote growth. St. Louis, MO 63106 We are extremely flexible to your 314-533-2411 Fax: 314-533-2299 company’s individual financial needs. ggondolfi@justinepetersen.org We keep your money working for you. www.justinepetersen.org Originates micro-enterprise loans up to $35,000 through its U.S. Small Business Lindenwood University Administration Micro-Loan Intermediary 209 S. Kingshighway Program. Also, counselors assist potential St. Charles, MO 63301 and current business owners to prepare 636-949-4832 Fax: 636-949-4834 and present financial statements, manage emorris@lindenwood.edu cash flow, and develop a business and a www.lindenwood.edu marketing plan. Also have an office in Offers undergraduate and graduate East St. Louis, IL. programs in a variety of business emphasis, including business administration, Lambert St. Louis International marketing, human resource management Airport, DBE Program and health management. Courses range P.O. Box 10212 from entrepreneurship to small-business St. Louis, MO 63145 management to business communication. 314-426-8111 dcrobertson@flystl.com Maryville University Adult www.mwdbe.org Undergraduate and Graduate Studies Conducts quarterly certification work650 Maryville University Dr. shops; conducts quarterly workshops on St. Louis, MO 63141 doing business with the Airport; publishes 314-529-9334 Fax: 314-529-9926 monthly directory of certified DBEs weekend@maryville.edu (disadvantaged business enterprise); holds www.maryville.edu meetings and seminars; conducts anClasses, workshops, seminars, conferencnual conference and trade fair; provides es. Wide range of topics and educational resource referral services. services for businesses and corporations-from individual training sessions in manLeadership Council Southwestern agement, supervision and practical skills Illinois to on-site courses bearing academic credit. 52 SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide
Mid-America Trade Adjustment Assistance Center 664 Southeast Bayberry Ln., Ste. 101 Lee’s Summit, MO 64063 816-246-1555/800-551-8222 816-2469860 mid-amer@taacenter.org www.taacenters.org Assists domestic manufacturers hurt by import competition in two ways: conducts a thorough assessment of the firm to develop a detailed strategy to help the firm become more competitive and can pay for up to 75% of the cost to implement this strategy through federal grants, using private sector consultants on a subcontract basis. Mid.Tec Corporation of St. Louis P.O. Box 410423 St. Louis, MO 63141 314-621-5005 Fax: 314-621-5006 www.midtec.org Provides a variety of services specifically aimed at helping small manufacturers achieve best industry practice and improve global competitiveness. Services include: Online Web-based training resources. Missouri Career Center www.missouricareersource.com Funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, Missouri Career Center of Saint Louis County provides employment services, without cost, to job providers and job seekers. For job providers, Missouri Career Center provides Internet job postings, access to online resumes, outplacement services, labor and tax credit information, training, applicant, screening and more. For job seekers Missouri Career Center provides job training, job workshops, job fairs, career counseling, resume preparation, skills testing and more. (Toll free call) 1-800-877-8698 (website) www. greathires.org. Missouri Career Center - Deer Creek 3256 Laclede Station Road Maplewood, Mo 63143 314-877-0001 Missouri Career Center - Jefferson County 3675 West Outer Rd Arnold, Mo 63010 636-287-8909 Fax: 636-287-8932 www.greathires.org See description in Missouri Career Center main file. Resources
Missouri Career Center - Met Center 6347 Plymouth Ave. St. Louis, Mo 63133 314-746-0700 www.greathires.org Missouri Career Center—North County Service Center 4040 Seven Hills Dr., Suite 166 Florissant, MO 63033 314-877-3010 www.greathires.org Missouri Career Center—South County 7545 S. Lindbergh Blvd., Ste 140 St. Louis, Mo 63125 314-416-2917 www.greathires.org Missouri Career Center—St. Louis City 1017 Olive St. St. Louis, Mo 63101 314-589-8000 Fax: 314-231-7923 www.greathires.org See description in Missouri Career Center main file. Missouri Career Center—St. Louis County 26 B North Oaks St. Louis, Mo 63121 314-381-6700 Fax: 314-381-7247 www.greathires.org Missouri Career Center-St. Charles County 212 Turner Blvd. St. Peters, MO 63376-1079 636-278-1360 Fax: 636-278-1843 stcharles@ded.mo.gov www.greathires.org Missouri Career Center-St. Louis Central 4811 Delmar Blvd St. Louis, MO 63108 314-877-0916 Fax: 314-877-0931 www.greathires.org Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry P.O. Box 149 428 E. Capitol Ave. Jefferson City, MO 65102 573-634-3511 Fax: 573-634-8855 Kbuschmann@mochamber.com www.mochamber.com Main purpose is to preserve a positive business climate in Missouri: lobbying for Resources
organized business in the Missouri General Assembly; innovative health insurance product; self-insured workers compensation insurance fund; compliance seminars; leadership development through ‘Leadership Missouri’ program; online legislative service; economic education programs. Missouri Dept. of Economic Development P.O. Box 1157 301 W. High St. Jefferson City, MO 65102-0118 573-751-9065 Fax: 573-751-7258 ecodev@ded.mo.gov www.missouridevelopment.org The Department is Missouri’s lead agency for economic, community, workforce and tourism development. In ‘ Resource Guide’ under International Business Development : Export Missouri; Missouri Women’s Council. Also see ‘Programs for Small Business Lending ‘ in this issue. Missouri Dept. of Insurance, Financial Institutions & Professional Registration P.O. Box 690 301 W. High St. Room 530 Jefferson City, MO 65102-0690 573-751-1927 Fax: 573-751-1165 www.difp.mo.gov Regulates the consumer service industries in Missouri by encouraging a fair and open market, establishing coherent and evolving policies that balance the interests of consumers, professionals and industry, and enforcing state laws and regulations governing business to protect consumers from unfair and inequitable treatment. Missouri Dept. of Labor & Industrial Relations 421 East Dunklin St. P.O. Box 504 Jefferson City, MO 65104 573-751-9691 Fax: 573-751-4135 wanda.seeney@dolir.mo.gov www.dolir.mo.gov Promote economic security, safe and healthy workplaces, as well as protect wage earners and individuals against discrimination by improving working conditions, enforcing labor and anti-discrimination laws and helping those unemployed or injured on the job. Missouri Dept. of Natural Resources, Division of Environmental Quality P.O. Box 176 Jefferson City, MO 65102
800-361-4827 Fax: 573-751-2708 lucy.thompson@dnr.mo.gov www.dnr.mo.gov/env/apcp/smbus.htm The Department of Natural Resources provides compliance assistance with environmental laws and regulations. Missouri Dept. of Natural Resources, Energy Center P.O. Box 176 Jefferson City, MO 65102 573-751-2254 Fax: 573-751-6860 energy@dnr.mo.gov www.dnr.mo.gov/energy A nonregulatory state agency that works to protect the environment and stimulate the economy through energy efficiency and renewable energy resources and techniques. The Energy Center collects energy data, gives technical and financial assistance for energy-efficiency and renewable energy projects, supports market research and demonstration projects that promote clean energy sources and technologies. Missouri Dept. of Revenue, Division of Taxation & Collection 301 West High St., Rm 330 Jefferson City, MO 65101 573-751-4450 dormail@dor.mo.gov dor.mo.gov/tax/ Responsible for sales tax, vendor’s use tax, consumer’s tax, withholding tax, unemployment tax, tire fee, corporate income/franchise tax. The Department of Revenue and Labor and Industrial Relations, Division of Employment Security has established online registration to help get businesses started. Missouri Dept. of Transportation - Division of Motor Carrier Services P.O. Box 893 Jefferson City, MO 65102 1-866-831-6277 mcs@modot.mo.gov www.modot.org/mcs/ Information is provided to startup businesses in the filing of proper application forms, adherence to rules and regulations of the State of Missouri and compliance with Division procedures. The outreach programs educate the public on rules and regulations pertaining to the hauling of hazardous materials and the safety requirements of the state and federal transportation regulations.
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Missouri Dept. of Transportation - Office of External Civil Rights (ECR) 105 W. Capitol Ave. Jefferson City, MO 65102 1-888-275-6636 dbe@modot.mo.gov www.modot.gov Dedicated to the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program and committed to the utilization of eligible DBE firms on MoDOT contracts. For more information and to request a certification application, please call or contact by email. Missouri Div. of Professional Registration P.O. Box 1335 Jefferson City, MO 65102 573-751-0293 profreg@pr.mo.gov www.pr.mo.gov Licenses qualified professionals by examination and evaluation of minimum competency; enforces standards by implementing legislation and administrative rules; encourages economic development by being partners with existing small businesses. Missouri Enterprise 3751 Pennridge Dr., Ste. 101 St. Louis, MO 63044 800-956-2682 Fax: 314-291-2525 hzinn@missourienterprise.org www.missourienterprise.org Missouri Enterprise is an organization of skilled manufacturing and business management professionals who help companies succeed. We focus primarily on small and medium-sized manufacturers and we provide access to new technologies, training and most importantly hands-on assistance with process improvements and innovative growth strategies. We help companies understand their market position...their foreign and domestic competition...and the value of their products. Our clients realize significant increases in customer satifaction, sales, quality and profitability along with material and labor savings. Missouri Market Development Program P.O. Box 744 325 Jefferson St., 2nd Floor Jefferson City, MO 65102 573-751-4919 www.dnr.mo.gov/eiera/index.html eiera@dnr.mo.gov MMDP program offers financial incen54 SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide
tives and technical assistance to Missouri businesses and organizations to promote the development of markets for recovered materials and recylced content products. Missouri Merchants & Manufacturers Association 16100 Chesterfield Pkwy. W., Ste. 210 Chesterfield, MO 63017-4817 636-537-1360 Fax: 636-537-4901 sheelah@mmma.org www.mmma.org Lobbying on behalf of employers specializing in taxation, mandated benefits and labor relations legislation; assisting member companies with problems at local, state and federal levels; providing valuable information via newsletters, legal seminars, etc. on topics important to employers; offering cost-saving benefits. Missouri Office of Supplier and Workforce Diversity P.O. Box 809 Jefferson City, MO 65102 877-259-2963 Fax: 573-522-8078 oswd@oa.mo.gov www.oswd.mo.gov Provides special assistance for minority business enterprises (51% minorityowned) and women business enterprises (51% women-owned) that are certified to compete in the State of Missouri’s procurement process. The program offers a statewide certification program for companies owned, controlled and managed by minorities or women. Assistance includes registration application and procedures, procurement-related workshops and seminars, cost-free directory listing, and referral source for other procurement opportunities. The program provides assistance to state agencies and private firms in identifying and locating minority business enterprises to satisfy minority purchasing goals. Bidding opportunities are available on Internet. Missouri Secretary of State 600 West Main Street Jefferson City, MO 65101 573-751-4153 Fax: 573-751-5841 sosmain@sos.mo.gov www.sos.mo.gov Responsible for collecting, compiling, storing and publishing a variety of state documents including: registered business names, corporate annual reports. Is responsible for the registration of all Missouri and out-of-state business entities
doing business in Missouri. Missouri Securities Division Secretary of State’s Office 600 W. Main St., 2nd Fl. Jefferson City, MO 65101 573-751-4704 securities@sos.mo.gov www.sos.mo.gov Information on raising capital in Missouri. Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants 540 Maryville Center Dr., Ste. 200 St. Louis, MO 63141 314-997-7966 Fax: 314-997-2592 member@mocpa.org www.mocpa.org A professional development association dedicated to providing education, networking and advocacy to nearly 10,000 CPA members in Missouri. Missouri Treasurer’s Office P.O. Box 210 Jefferson City, MO 65102 573-751-8533 Fax: 573-751-0343 www.treasurer.mo.gov The BIG Missouri Linked Deposit Program enables a borrower to receive a below-market interest rate on a loan made by a participating Missouri financial institution. Missouri Value Added Development Center University of Missouri-Columbia, Dept. of Ag. Econ. 143 Mumford Hall Columbia, MO 65211 573-884-1756 Fax: 573-884-6572 valueadded@missouri.edu www.valueadded.missouri.edu Provides extension educators decision support tools with which to assist agriculture producers in the formation and operation of collective entrepreneurship businesses. Missouri Venture Forum 314-241-2683 info@missouriventureforum.org www.MissouriVentureForum.org Provides a means for investors, entrepreneurs and business advisors to make mutually beneficial relationships designed to drive new business growth through networking, education and information exchange. Breakfast meetings are held 10 times per year. Features: Guest Speaker, Spotlight Organizations and two -minute forum presenters. Resources
Missouri Women’s Council P.O. Box 1684 Jefferson City, MO 65102 573-751-0810/877-426-9284 573-5225005 wcouncil@ded.mo.gov www.womenscouncil.org The mission of the council is to promote and increase women’s economic and employment opportunities through education and training programs to aid in and insure entry into the labor market; to promote occupational mobility of women workers in lower and middle levels of employment; to promote access to jobs with more skill and responsibility, especially at the managerial level by encouraging maternity protection, child care facilities, technical training, and health protection; to initiate programs to assist women in small business enterprises; to assure access of women to nontraditional skilled trades through greater participation in apprenticeship programs and vocational and technical training; to promote retraining programs and facilities for unemployed women and to conduct programs, studies, seminars, and conferences in cooperation with federal, state and local agencies in the following areas: educational needs and opportunities; displaced homemakers; credit; federal and state affecting the rights and responsibilities of women; and womenowned business enterprises. MoFAST SBIR/STTR Assistance Center 100 N. Tucker, Ste. 530 St. Louis, MO 63101 314-241-1511 wilsonkr@missouri.edu www.missouribusiness.net Provides assistance to small businesses in preparing business plans and winning SBIR/STTR grants. MOKAN 5261 Delmar, Ste. B St. Louis, MO 63108 314-454-9675 Fax: 314-361-9806 mokan@stlouis.missouri.org www.mokanccac.org Technical assistance and support for MBE and WBE firms.
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Money Mailer of Central St. Louis www.moneymailer.com/stl 1-800-MAILER1 Helping businesses get & keep more customers.® Have you ever noticed that the most aggressive and consistent advertisers are almost always the most successful? Savvy business owners recognize advertising is not a cost, but rather an investment in revenue generation! Whether you are looking for more customers or want to generate additional revenue in order to meet sales goals, Money Mailer has a solution for your company. We are locally owned and operated and look forward to helping you grow your business! National Association of Seed and Venture Funds 28 E. Jackson Blvd, Ste. 1700 Chicago, IL 60604-2214 312-423-4545 kelly@nasvf.org www.nasvf.org A network of private, public and non-profit organizations investing and facilitating investment in entrepreneurs. National Association of the Remodeling Industry of Greater St. Louis P.O. Box 366 Chesterfield, MO 63006 636-207-9690 Fax: 314-432-5894 jim@naristl.org www.nari.org/stlouischapter/ Local chapter of national trade association dedicated to serving residential and commercial remodeling professionals. Members include manufacturers and wholesalers of business supplies and remodeling products, lending institutions, interior designers, architects, and professional remodeling contractors. National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) - Greater St. Louis Chapter P.O. Box 6925 St. Louis, MO 63123 314-954-8344 info@nawbostl.org www.nawbostl.org
A membership organization whose mission is to provide information and promote collaborative relationships that help committed women business owners create and continue business success. Activities focus on providing opportunities for professional education and growth; fostering beneficial relationships among women business owners; increasing members’ visibility, influence and opportunity within the community; and engaging in public policy advocacy on a local, state and national level. National Business Incubation Association (NBIA) 20 E. Circle Dr. #37198 Athens, OH 45701-3571 740-593-4331 Fax: 740-593-1996 info@nbia.org www.nbia.org Composed primarily of incubator developers and managers, but technology commercialization specialists, educators and business assistance professionals are also well represented. Mission is to provide training and a clearinghouse for information on incubator management and development issues and on tools for assisting startup and fledgling firms. National Federation of Independent Business, Missouri 308 E. High St., Ste. 110 Jefferson City, MO 65101 573-634-7660 Fax: 573-636-7010 brad.jones@nfib.org www.nfib.org Provides small and independent businesses with timely information regarding legislative proposals at state and federal levels, as well as providing mechanism to voice opinions on these issues. National Federation of Press Women 314-707-4004 coleneemc@yahoo.com www.nfpw.org Organization of professional journalists and communicators that promotes the highest ethical standards while looking toward the future in professional development, networking, and protecting our First Amendment rights. National Small Business Association Inc. (NSBA) 1156 15th St., N.W., Ste. 1100 Washington, DC 20005
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800-345-6728 Fax: 202-872-8543 info@NSBA.biz www.nsba.biz Represents more than 150,000 small-business owners throughout the United States. Legislative priorities are established each year by the small-business leaders who take part in the annual Leadership and Federal Issues Retreat. National Speakers Association-St. Louis 206 Oxford Fairview Heights, IL 62208 618-397-3207 Richard@RichardAudian.com www.nsastlouis.org An organization dedicated to advancing the business and platform skills of the professional speaker. National Venture Capital Association 1655 N. Fort Myer Dr. , Ste. 850 Arlington, Va 22209 703-524-2549 lturner@nvca.org www.nvca.org Represents the venture capital industry. It’s members consist of venture capital firms and organizations that manage pools of risk equity designated to be invested in young, emerging companies. Nidus Center for Scientific Enterprise 1005 N. Warson Rd., Ste. 201 St. Louis, MO 63132 314-812-8003 Fax: 314-812-8080 robert.j.calcaterra@niduscenter.com www.niduscenter.com A business incubator located in St. Louis that serves entrepreneur clients who are refining and preparing new technologies for market - with a focus on life and plant science technologies. Provides support services, technical and business advice along with leasable office and laboratory facilities for the commercialization of promising new ideas. North County Incorporated 350B Village Square Dr. Hazelwood, MO 63042 314-895-6241 Fax: 314-895-6244 nci@northcountyinc.com www.NorthStLouisCounty.com A regional development organization, which acts as a catalyst to define and advocate economic and community development for North St. Louis County.
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Overseas Private Investment Corp. 1100 New York Ave., NW Washington, DC 20527 202-336-8400 Fax: 202-336-7949 smallbiz@opic.gov www.OPIC.gov Provide financing for firms from $100,000 to $250 million (and sometimes smaller). In addition to financing, agency’s services include risk insurance and currency conversion. Press Club of Metropolitan St. Louis P.O. Box 410522 Creve Couer, MO 63141 636-230-1973 Fax: 636-207-2441 info@stlpressclub.org www.stlpressclub.org Professional communications organization for those who make ,cover, and influence the news. Publishes annual Media Guide ($20). Holds monthly educational forums on various communication topics and current issues. Raises money for college scholarships and internships with annual Media Person of the Year Gala. Maintains media archives at St. Louis Public Library. Procurement Technical Assistance Centers - Illinois 620 E. Adams St. Springfield, Il 62701 217-557-7808 Fax: 217-524-0171 www.aptac-us.org Assist existing business owners in doing business with federal, state, and local governments. The Centers provide general procurement counseling, access to bid specifications, assistance in identifying government markets, help in reviewing bid packages and also provide information about contract administration and other contracting assistance services. They also provide assistance with the certification process necessary to obtain contracts with various local, state, and federal agencies. Counseling services are provided at no charge to program clients. Procurement Technical Assistance Centers - Missouri (MO PTAC) 100 North Tucker, Ste. 530 St. Louis, Mo 63101 314-621-3888 Fax: 314-621-9871 frankjo@missouri.edu http://www.missouribusiness.net/ptac or www.moptac.net Assists businesses, including small, dis-
advantaged and women-owned firms, in obtaining federal, state and local government contracts. Professional Women’s Alliance 12520 Olive Blvd., Ste. 119 St Louis, MO 63141 314-991-6144 www.stlpwa.org Organization dedicated to serving the interests of women executives in the St. Louis area through education and networking. Affiliate of the National Association for Female Executives. Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) 405 Maple Leaf Ct. Manchester, MO 63021 636-256-3090 Fax: 636-356-6090 info@prsastlouis.org www.prsastlouis.org St. Louis Chapter of the national organization of public relations professionals. Meetings and seminars are open and feature a variety of topics and speakers of interest. RMI (Resources For Missouri, Inc.) 3324 Emerald Lane Jefferson City, MO 65109 800-234-4971 Fax: 573-635-5636 ken@rmiinc.org www.rmiinc.org Assists Missouri small businesses by providing long-term, fixed-rate financing through SBA’s 504 Loan Program and the SBA MicroLoan Program. Utilize this resource to secure expansion capital at a below-market fixed-rate and longer term. Saint Louis University Center for Entrepreneurship 3674 Lindell Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63108 314-977-3864 Fax: 314-977-3627 katzja@slu.edu www.eweb.slu.edu Offers degree courses, seminars and conferences on entrepreneurship to the general public. Assists family businesses through the Family Firm Forum. SBDC Illinois and Missouri All SBDCs provide individualized counseling and organized educational opportunities for owners, managers and employees of small businesses. Assistance is available in the areas of access to Resources
capital, financial analysis, marketing, business planning, strategic planning, human resources, technology transfer, product development, and more. SBDC-Carbondale Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center 150 E. Pleasant Hill Rd. Carbondale, IL 62901 618-536-2424 Fax: 618-453-5040 sbdc@siu.edu www.siu.edu/~sbdc SBDC-East St. Louis 601 J.R. Thompson Drive, Room 2090 East St. Louis, IL 62201 618-482-8330 e5live5bdc@yahoo.com www.siue.edu/BUSINESS/sbdc SBDC-Edwardsville SIU Edwardsville-Alumni Hall 2126 Edwardsville, IL 62026-1107 618-650-2929 Fax: 618-650-2647 siuesbdc@hotmail.com www.siue.edu/businesss/sbdc SBDC-Empowerment Zone 100 N. Tucker, Ste. 530 St. Louis, MO 63101 314-241-0002 Fax: 314-621-9871 wilsonkr@missouri.edu www.missouribusiness.net SBDC-Government Procurement Assistance--Illinois 301 Oak Street, Room 2-27 Quincy, Il 62301 217-223-5636 Fax: 217-223-5672 SBDC-Kaskaskia College 325 S. Poplar Centralia, IL 62801 618-545-3262 Fax: 618-548-9007 ttracy@kaskaskia.edu kaskaskia.edu SBDC-Olney Illinois Eastern Community Colleges 218 E. Main Street Onley, IL 62450 618-395-3011 Fax: 618-395-1922 sbdc@iecc.edu www.ieccsbdc.com SBDC-Procurement Technical Assistance Center-Missouri 100 N. Tucker, Ste. 530 St. Louis, Mo 63101 Resources
314-621-7280 Fax: 314-621-9871 www.missouribusiness.net SBDC-Rend Lake Community College 468 N. Ken Gray Parkway Ina, IL 62846 800-369-5321 Fax: 618-437-5677 mowrer@rlc.edu www.rlc.cc.il.us SBDC-Satelitte Business Information Center Southeast Missouri State University One University Plaza, MS 5925 Cape Girardeau, Mo 63701 573-986-6084 Fax: 573-986-6083 sbdc@semo.edu www2.semo.edu/sesbdc/homepage.html
SCORE Association in Illinois and Missouri www.SCORE.org Provides free one-on-one counseling for startup businesses and for small-business managers/owners experiencing managerial problems. Provides a seminar, ‘How to Start and Manage Your Own Small Business,’ for a nominal fee. Clients served are those planning or aspiring to go into business; those already in business, but having problems; and those wishing to expand. SCORE- Alton/Godfrey 5800 Godfrey Rd., Alden Hall Godfrey, IL 62035-2466 618-467-2280 Fax: 618-466-8289 score@lc.edu
SBDC-SBIR Assistance Center 315 Lemay Ferry Rd., Ste. 103 St. Louis, Mo 63125 314-631-5509 Fax: 314-631-7996 harveywa@missouri.edu www.missouribusiness.net
SCORE- Belleville 216 East A Street Belleville, Il 62220 618-233-2015 Fax: 618-233-2077 info@bellevillechamber.org www.bellevillechamber.org/score
SBDC-St. Charles County Extension Center 260 Brown Rd. St. Peters, MO 63376 636-970-3000 watsonly@missouri.edu www.missouribusiness.net
SCORE- Hispanic Chamber 3611 South Grand Blvd., Ste. 105 St. Louis, MO 63118 314-664-4432 www.stlscore.org
SBDC-St. Charles Economic Development Center 5988 Mid Rivers Mall Dr. St. Charles, Mo 63304 636-928-7714 Fax: 636-441-6881 rmueller@edcstcharlescounty.com www.missouribusiness.net SBDC-St. Louis County Enterprise Center 315 Lemay Ferry Rd. St. Louis, MO 63125 314-631-5374 Fax: 314-631-7996 richtera@missouri.edu www.missouribusiness.net SBDC-St. Louis County Extension Center 121 S. Meramec, Ste. 501 Clayton, Mo 63105 314-615-7610 Fax: 314-615-8147 foxlb@missouri.edu www.missouribusiness.net
SCORE- St. Charles County 5988 Mid Rivers Mall Dr. St. Charles, MO 63304 636-447-5000 www.stlscore.org SCORE- St. Louis 200 N. Broadway St. Louis, MO 63102 314-539-6600 Fax: 314-539-6200 admin@stlscore.org www.stlscore.org SCORE- Veterans Business Resouce Center 4236 Lindell Blvd, Ste. 102 St. Louis, Mo 63108 314-531-8387 SCORE-Illinois Centre 3000 W. DeYoung Street Illinois Centre Mall Marion, Il 62959 618-969-9440 Fax: 618-453-5040 www.wilscore.org
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Simply Successful LLC Bill Prenatt 636-484-0208 simplysuccessful-llc.com Simply Successful LLC helps small business owners increase sales through improved processes and communication. Specializing in low cost and no cost growth solutions for entrepreneurs and family owned businesses, Bill Prenatt offers decades of expertise to help you grow.
Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council 2944 Hunter Mill Rd., Ste. 204 Oakton, VA 22124 703-242-5840 Fax: 703-242-5841 membership@sbecouncil.org www.sbecouncil.org A national, nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization that works to influence legislation and policies that help to create a favorable and productive environment for small businesses and entrepreneurship. Small Business Administration (SBA) See U. S. Small Business Administration Small Business Development CenterSatelitte Business Information Center Southeast Missouri State University One University Plaza, MS 5925 Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 573-986-6084 Fax: 573-986-6083 sbdc@semo.edu www2.semo.edu/sesbdc/homepage.html Small Business Growth Corporation Two City Place Dr., Ste. 200 St. Louis, MO 63141 314-292-9531 Fax: 314-667-3868 lindhorst@growthcorp.com www.growthcorp.com Small Business Growth Corporation provides customized, below market, long-term, fixed rate SBA 504 financing to small businesses throughout the Midwest from its three regional offices. Discover why Growth Corp is the #1 SBA 504 Lender in the Midwest.
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Society for Technical Communications 9401 Lee Highway, Ste. 300 Fairfax, Virginia 22031 703-522-4114 Fax: +1-703-522-2075 stc@stc.org www.stc.org Professional association of technical communicators. Membership offers opportunities for continuous self-improvement and for contact with other communication professionals. Membership open to anyone interested in writing and communications. Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals - St. Louis Chapter 314-576-4137 Fax: 314-576-0945 atbourey@earthlink.net www.scip.org The largest association of professionals concerned with organizational competitiveness. Members work to further the art and practice of legal and ethical collection and analysis of information that positively affects executive decision-making. Sponsors educational programs throughout the year, and an international conference held each spring in North America. Local chapters throughout the American continent, Europe, Scandinavia, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals in Groupcast, LLC 1700 Gilginn St. Louis, MO 63026 636-660-8026 www.socap.org An international professional organization of individuals whose purpose is to foster and maintain the integrity of business in dealings with consumers; to encourage and promote effective communications and understanding between business and government and consumers; and to define and advance the consumer affairs profession. Southern Illinois Entrepreneurship Center 150 E. Pleasant Hill Road Carbondale, Il 62903 618-453-3805 Fax: 618-453-5040 ecarter@siu.edu www.siecenter.biz A regional hub for coordinating entrepreneurship development activity. Mission is ‘To encourage the entrepreneurial spirit to stimulate growth in Southern Illinois.’
Serves as an umbrella organization to facilitate the interaction between entrepreneurs and existing resources. In addition to providing in-depth and accelerated services to entrepreneurs, the center strives to promote an entrepreneurial culture throughout the region. Southwestern Illinois Entrepreneurship Center SIU Edwardsville-Alumin Hall 2126 Edwardsville, Il 62026-1107 618-650-2166 Fax: 618-650-2647 kjarden@siue.edu http://www.siue.edu/BUSINESS/sbdc/ SWIEC promotes the development of high-growth businesses to enhance the business climate of the Southwestern Illinois Region. SWIEC business services include assessment of business operations, assessment of business needs, advanced financial assistance, coaching for prospective investors, events and training seminars, and more. SSDN 2930 Iowa Ave., St. Louis, MO 63118 314-865-0322 Fax: 314-865-0780 alowell@ssdn.org www.ssdn.org The incubator and Economic Development Center (EDC) supports the growth and development of existing businesses, the development of neighborhood entrepreneurs and works to attract businesses to the area that will improve the quality of life. The incubator is designed to help small business owners launch successful businesses. The tenants are offered retail space at below market rates, essential services and business management support and education. The EDC also educates families on economic issues and administers the Individual Development Account (IDA) savings plan. St. Charles City - County Library, Spencer Road Business and Public Management Services 427 Spencer Rd. St. Peters, MO 63376 636-441-0794, ext. 1444 636-926-3948 trees@stchlibrary.org www.youranswerplace.org Provides research and marketing assistance to both startups and existing businesses and nonprofits of any size.
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St. Charles City - Department of Economic Development 200 N. 2nd St., Ste. 300 St. Charles, MO 63301 636-949-3231 Fax: 636-949-3267 nadine.boon@stcharlescity.com www.stcharlescity.com Over 7 million sq. ft. of new commercial space constructed in City of St. Charles in the past 8 years, the fastest growing county in the metropolitan area. Twelve to 15 new businesses open in St. Charles on a monthly basis. New Convention Center complex; Ameristar Casino expansion of $150 million; new town is building 6000 new homes. St. Charles has a place for you! St. Charles Community College, Workforce Development 4601 Mid Rivers Mall Dr. Cottleville, MO 63376 636-922-8474 Fax: 636-922-8524 workforcedevelopment@stchas.edu www.stchas.edu Offers a wide variety of customized training programs and performance improvement services through its Workforce Development Department. It also helps companies obtain training funds through the Missouri customized training, new jobs training and job retention training programs. St. Charles County Dept. of Government Workforce Development 212 Turner Blvd. St. Peters, MO 63376 636-278-1360 Fax: 636-278-1843 info@stcharlesworks.com www.stcharlesworks.com Federal employment and training programs. Implements workforce training programs for adults, youths, and laid-off workers. Specialized, customized work force training services for employees. St. Louis Black Leadership Roundtable 415 DeBaliviere St. Louis, MO 63112 314-367-8822 Fax: 314-367-9865 edavis@sbcglobal.net www.blackleadershiproundtable.org The Center for the Acceleration of African-American Businesses (Center), an initiative of the Roundtable, is to provide resources to support the growth and development of businesses owned by AfricanAmericans by infusing volunteer mentors Resources
in direct partnership with faith-based and area enterprise centers. The Center focuses on first-and second-tier businesses that are currently not being served by existing resources. The Center also serves as a clearinghouse and coordinator for existing business support resources provided by other entities. The Center’s holistic approach is unique and designed to add tremendous value by eliminating current fragmentation among existing support programs in the region. St. Louis Business Diversity Initiative One Metropolitan Sq., Ste. 1300 St. Louis, MO 63102 314-444-1121 Fax: 314-206-3222 Diversity@stlrcga.org www.stlbizdiversity.com A collaborative effort to help companies and firms in the St. Louis region be better positioned to attract and retain a talented, diverse workforce and develop a diverse supplier base. In addition, its purpose is to help connect minority students and other prospective employees to employers and to connect minority suppliers to purchasers. St. Louis City Library 1301 Olive St. St. Louis, MO 63103 314-241-2288 Fax: 314-593-0393 webmaster@slpl.org www.slpl.org Offers updated information free of charge. Reference tools include a number of business directories, company and stock reports, investors’ guides, books on writing business plans, CDR sources and investment analysis reports. The Business, Science and Technology Department resources include copies of U.S. Patents, and library personnel will help initiate patent searches. St. Louis Coaches 314-351-6812 info@stlcoaches.org www.stlcoaches.org St. Louis Coaches is a nonprofit organization of personal and professional coaches in the St. Louis and surrounding region. Our intention is to continue developing the coaching field as a profession. St. Louis Community College, Center for Business, Industry & Labor (CBIL) 300 S. Broadway St. Louis, MO 63102
314-539-5311 Fax: 314-539-5349 slong@stlcc.edu www.cbil.org Provides an array of performance improvement services to business and industry. Services include: front end analysis; assessment and evaluation; technical, leadership and team development training; Microsoft certified network and applications training; instructional design; technical writing, job aids; and ISO 9000 consulting and training. Services are conducted on-site or at our facilities. St. Louis Community College, Continuing Education 11333 Big Bend Rd. St. Louis, MO 63122 314-984-7777 Fax: 314-984-7960 stlccconed@stlcc.edu www.stlcc.edu Offers the largest selection of course study in the area of entrepreneurship education, including developing a business plan, business management, strategic planning, marketing strategies and IRS tax workshops. Award winning Women Entrepreneurship Training offers strategies for women entrepreneurs during the business planning and startup process. Management certification programs in cooperation with the AMA. St. Louis Community College, Emerson Center for Engineering & Manufacturing 3400 Pershall Road St. Louis, MO 63135 314-513-4200 Fax: 314-513-4724 ekuenzel@stlcc.edu www.stlcc.edu/fv Education and training. St. Louis County Economic Council (SLCEC) 121 S. Meramec Ave., Ste. 900 St. Louis, MO 63105 314-615-7617 nschnoebelen@slec.com www.slcec.com Facilitates the development of long-term, diversified business and employment opportunities that will lead to increased wealth and well-being for the citizens, businesses, and institutions of St. Louis County and the St. Louis region. Oversees several local and regional programs, including World Trade Center Saint Louis, special financing for businesses and St. Louis Enterprise Centers (small-business SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide 59
incubators). Clients include businesses wanting to startup, expand or relocate in St. Louis County. St. Louis County Library Headquarters Reference Department 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63131 314-994-3300 Fax: 314-997-7602 hreference@slcl.org www.slcl.org Offers resources on business, including specific titles for the small-business community. Formats include book, video, electronic databases, periodicals, newspaper and newsletters, microfilm and microfiche. General types of business resources include directories, handbooks, encyclopedias, dictionaries and government documents. St. Louis County Planning Department 41 South Central Ave., 5th Fl. Clayton, MO 63105 314-615-2520 Fax: 314-615-3729 planning@stlouisco.com www.stlouisco.com/plan Provides economic, demographic and land development information for the county. St. Louis Development Corp. 1015 Locust St., Ste. 1200 St. Louis, MO 63101 314-622-3400 Fax: 314-231-2341 bannisterp@stlouiscity.com http://stlouis.missouri.org Offers programs and services to the smallbusiness owner, including technical and financial assistance for expansion, relocation, renovation, acquisition and startup as well as land assembly/site preparation. Composed of seven agencies and authorities that work to promote economic development and growth. See Programs for Small Business Lending for the City of St. Louis. St. Louis Development Corp., Business Assistance Center City Hall, Room 421 Tucker & Market Streets St. Louis, MO 63103 314-622-4120 Fax: 314-622-3586 bac@stlouiscity.com http://stlouis.missouri.org/sldc/bac A ‘One-Stop Shop’ and assistance for new or expanding businesses for occupancy permits and licenses required to do business in the City of St. Louis.
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St. Louis Enterprise Centers www.stlenterprisecenters.com As a nationally recognized leader in small business incubation, the St. Louis Enterprise Centers promote a nurturing entrepreneurial environment that provides new and growing businesses with the support they need to be successful. Services and on-site amenities include: affordable office, retail, warehouse and production space; access to executive mentors and advisors; shared support services; connections to capital and financial sources; valuable networking and training opportunities. The St. Louis Enterprise Centers service more than 80 companies and consist of a network of four regionally located incubators in West County, South County,Wellston and in partnership with St. Louis City, in Midtown St. Louis. The Enterprise Centers are a program of the St. Louis County Economic Council, which provides innovative solutions to companies and communities through business development, financing programs, real estate and community development programs, and international expertise through the World Trade Center Saint Louis. St. Louis Enterprise Centers-Midtown 3830 Washington Ave. St. Louis, MO 63108 314-534-1818 Fax: 314-534-1883 www.slcec.com St. Louis Enterprise Centers-South County 315 Lemay Ferry Rd. St. Louis, MO 63125 314-638-5858 Fax: 314-638-7979 www.slcec.com St. Louis Enterprise Centers-Wellston 6439 Plymouth St. Louis, Mo 63133 314-727-6132 Fax: 314-863-0146 www.slcec.com St. Louis Enterprise Centers-West County 743 Spirit 40 Park Dr. Chesterfield, MO 63005 636-519-4710 Fax: 636-519-4701 mparisi@slcec.com www.slcec.com St. Louis Graphic Arts & Communications Association 51 Lake Rd.
Labadie, MO 63055 636-451-0907 Fax: 636-451-0907 ironhsfarm@aol.com http://web.mac.com/stlgac Dedicated to ‘Sharing Knowledge’ in the Graphic ArtsCall and today Electronic Communicato learn what makes us St. Loui tions Industries. most successful business brokerage.
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St. Louis Minority Business Council (SLMBC) 308 N. 21st St., Ste. 700 St. Louis, MO 63103 314-241-1143 Fax: 314-241-1073 info@slmbc.org www.slmbc.org Links the corporate purchasing community with the minority business community. Promotes the use of minority entrepreneurs, assists minority businesses in obtaining access to capital and provides information and education resources. Offers its members: Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certification, Corporate Purchasing & Resource Guide, education programs, procurement information service, business referral service, purchase exchange program, and access to the National Business Consortium Fund (loan program). Also sponsors informal networking events and a ‘Business Opportunity Fair’ each year. SLMBC is affiliated with 39 councils nationally. St. Louis Publishers Association PO Box 410182 Creve Coeur, MO 63141 314-205-2679 president@stlouispublishers.org www.stlouispublishers.org A nonprofit organization of authors and publishers. Affiliate of the Publishers Marketing Association (PMA) and a partner of the Small Publishers Association of North America (SPAN). Mission is to help members publish quality products Resources
and market them effectively. St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association (RCGA) One Metropolitan Square, Ste. 1300 St. Louis, MO 63102 314-231-5555 Fax: 314-206-3222 cstahlhut@stlrcga.org www.stlrcga.org Serving as the region’s chamber of commerce and economic development organization, promotes the growth and advancement of businesses and business ventures throughout the 16-county region. Offers networking opportunities, site-selection assistance and awareness of legislative issues that target entrepreneurs. St. Louis Small Business Monthly 2451 Executive Dr., Suite 109 St. Charles, MO 63303 314-569-0076 Fax: 314-432-7016 info@SBMon.com www.SBMon.com www.stlouisbusinessexpo.com http://directory.sbmon.com The monthly publication, now 21 years old, is the source of information for business owners in the Metro St. Louis area. It features informative, educational how-to articles; spotlights entrepreneurs, and offers the latest news of interest to business owners. The St. Louis Business Expo offered twice a year- in the spring and fall- provides excellent opportunity to exhibit product/services and meet potential customers one-on-one. St. Louis Volunteer Lawyers & Accountants for the Arts 6128 Delmar St. Louis, MO 63112 314-863-6930 Fax: 314-863-6932 vlaa@stlrac.org www.vlaa.org Referral service that provides free legal and accounting assistance to incomeeligible individual artists and small arts organizations. Also provides information about arts law and business matters through educational programming, and supports the broader role of the arts in the community. St. Louis-Jefferson Solid Waste Management District 7525 Sussex Ave. St. Louis, MO 63143 314-645-6753 Fax: 314-645-6504 david@swmd.net www.swmd.net An inter-governmental organization Resources
dedicated to expanding waste-reduction and recycling in the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County, St. Charles County and Jefferson County, Mo. Publishes a guide to reduce waste and improve profit titled ‘Less is More,’ which is available at no charge.
Stan Gellman Graphic Design Barry Tilson or Teresa Thompson 4509 Laclede Avenue St. Louis, MO 63108 www.sggdesign.com 314-361-7676 For more than 40 years, Stan Gellman Graphic Design, Inc. has provided all encompassing marketing and communications services for a diverse range of clients, with expertise in identity development, corporate communications, business to business marketing and product services marketing. Our primary goal is to provide effective and innovative communication programs that deliver positive and measurable results.
Technology Entrepreneur Center 210 N. Tucker, Ste. 600 St. Louis, MO 63101 314-333-0409 www.tec-stl.org A high tech incubator located in downtown St. Louis that supports the growth of startups by providing business mentoring, education and networking opportunities, affordable office space and administrative services. Toastmasters International 23182 Arroyo Vista Rancho Rancho Santa Margari, CA 92688 949-835-1300 Fax: 949-858-1207 www.toastmasters.org Learn by speaking to groups and working with others in a supportive environment. Find your local club by visiting toastmasters.org and clicking ‘Find A Club.’
TOKY Branding and Design 314-534-2000 www.toky.com At TOKY, we are committed to doing great work — work that moves your audiences and gets results. It’s long hours of top-tier creative talent pushing forward a sound strategy. It’s what we do every day for our clients. It’s why we were voted “Best Design Firm” by SBM readers in 2009.
Trade Information Center U.S. Dept. of Commerce 1401 Constitution Ave., NW, R-TIC Stop Washington, DC 20230 800-872-8723 Fax: 202-482-4473 tic@ita.doc.gov http://export.gov/tic Information on federal export assistance programs. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration. U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration Office of Apprenticeship 1222 Spruce Street, Rm 9.102E St. Louis, MO 63103 314-539-2522, Ext. 4 Fax: 314-539-3035 perry.neil@dol.gov www.doleta.gov The federal agency responsible for the administration of the National Apprenticeship System. Assists companies in establishing apprenticeship and training programs to train their employees. The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) administers federal government job training and worker dislocation programs, federal grants to states for public employment service programs, and unemployment insurance benefits. These services are primarily provided through state and local workforce development systems. U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC) 8235 Forsyth Blvd., Ste. 520 St. Louis, MO 63105 314-425-3304 Fax: 314-425-3381 john.blum@sba.gov SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide 61
www.sba.gov/oit/export 5A one-stop shop for export marketing and trade finance assistance for small- to medium-sized businesses. Organizations located at the USEAC include: U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Small Business Administration, and State of Missouri International Trade Office, which also represents The Export-Import Bank of the U.S. Services include: customized export counseling, domestic export assistance in your office, overseas export support on-location, instant access to international market research, trade contact facilitation programs, international trade promotion events, and programs to finance working capital and/or accounts receivable generated by your overseas orders. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office USPTO Contact Center (UCC), Crystal PO Box 1450 Alexandria, VA 22313-1450 800-786-9199 Fax: 571-273-8300 usptoinfo@uspto.gov www.uspto.gov Promotes the progress of science and the useful arts by securing for inventors, for limited times, the exclusive right to their respective discoveries. Website www. StopFakes.gov/smallbusiness is dedicated to small businesses and protecting their intellectual property, both in the U.S. and abroad. U.S. Small Business Administration Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives 200 N. Broadway, Ste. 1500 St. Louis, Mo 63102 314-539-6600, ext. 255 314-539-3785 www.sba.gov Created to help nonprofit, grassroots organizations learn about and access SBAbacked programs and loans. SBA is prepared to reach out and educate faith-based and community organizations about SBA programs and to ensure that these groups have equal access to the services. U.S. Small Business Administration - St. Louis 200 N. Broadway, Ste. 1500 St. Louis, MO 63102 314-539-6600 Fax: 314-539-3785 www.sba.gov/mo/stlouis Programs can assist you with every aspect of starting and growing your business, from developing a business plan to obtain62 SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide
ing financing, from marketing products and services to managing your company. Offers management assistance, business planning, financing, access to federal contracts, and much more. See ‘Programs for Small Business Lending.’ U.S. Small Business Administration Government Contracting 200 N. Broadway, Ste. 1500 St. Louis, MO 63102 314-539-6600 x236 Fax: 314-539-3785 merry.bayer@sba.gov www.sba.gov/gc/ Serves as an advocate and a resource for small-business owners. Helps SB owners seeking federal procurement opportunities; provides guidance in marketing to the government and understanding the procurement process by providing assistance with Central Contractor Registration; FedBizOpps; Dynamic SB Search; GSA Advantage, etc. Works with federal agencies to set-aside contracting opportunities in all SB categories and introduces SB to the agencies. Assists large prime contractors in finding capable SB for teaming and subcontracting opportunities (SubNet). U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy 409 3rd Street, SW, 7th Fl Washington, DC 20416 202-205-6533 advocacy@sba.gov www.sba.gov/advo Researches pertinent issues, provides policy and legislation affecting small business and monitors their effects. Also produces numerous publications, including an annual report to Congress, The Small Business Economy , as well as technical books, and statistical and economic reports. UM -St. Louis Small Business Development Center/UMSL Small Business Dev. Center 269 University Center One University Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63121-4400 314-516-6121 Fax: 314-516-7202 hauffa@umsl.edu http://www.missouribusiness.net Assistance is provided to entrepreneurs and business owners seeking guidance to get their business registered, obtain financing and\or comply with state and local requirements. Also serves as a link to the Missouri Small Business Development Center Network for other business
assistance. Union Development Corp. 500 E. Locust St. Union, MO 63084 636-583-3600 Fax: 636-583-4091 development@ci.union.mo.us www.unionmissouri.org The City of Union works in partnership with the Union Development Corporation (UDC) to foster local industrial development. The UDC offers financial and technical assistance to potential firms and markets industrial property within the city limits. Works with all interested commercial and residential developers to facilitate their move to and/or growth in Union. University of Missouri Extension, St. Charles 260 Brown Rd. St. Peters, MO 63376 636-970-3000 Fax: 1-636-279-3310 watsonly@missouri.edu www.extension.missouri.edu\stcharles Provides professional business counseling for startups, existing businesses and home-based businesses. Assistance is provided in the area of business plans, financial analysis, marketing planning, record keeping and technology transfer. Is a liaison to the expertise of the five locations of the University of Missouri System and the door to technology transfer from the private industry/government business coalition. Individual business consultations, workshops and courses are provided in conjunction with a network of St. Charles County/St. Louis area business resources. University of Missouri System, Minority Business Development 1105 Carrie Francke Drive 109D Columbia, MO 65211 573-882-2707 Fax: 573-884-5255 kellyjh@umsystem.edu www.umsystem.edu/minbusdev Provides a vehicle to increase the participation of minority businesses in routine purchasing, design and construction contracting functions occurring on the campuses. Business owners are encouraged to register their businesses as Minority Business Enterprises/Woman-Owned Business Enterprises (MBE/WBE) with the University of Missouri. University of Missouri-St. Louis, Continuing Education & Outreach 210 J.C. Penney - Conference Center
Resources
One University Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63121 314-516-5961 Fax: 314-516-6414 www.umsl.edu/divisions/conted/outreach Administer a wide variety of credit courses, noncredit programs, and problem-oriented research for the benefit of the people and businesses of the greater St. Louis metropolitan area and beyond. Programs are offered both on and off campus. Veterans Business Resource Center 4236 Lindell Blvd., Ste. 102 St. Louis, Mo 63108 314-531-8387 Fax: 877-825-4190 jones@vetbiz.com www.vetbiz.com The VBRC provides a wide range of business services exclusively for Veterans, Guard and Reserve members and active duty personnel in transition to civilian life. Services include training, counseling, networking, monitoring and advocacy. Washington University, Skandalaris Center for Entrepreneurial Studies Simon Hall, Room 100, Campus Box 1133 One Brookings Dr. St. Louis, Mo 63130 314-935-9134 Fax: 314-935-4700 sces@wustl.edu www.sc.wustl.edu The mission of Washington University’s Skandalaris Center for Entrepreneurial Studies is to develop an innovative, entrepreneurial environment that expands learning, research, collaboration and economic opportunities for students in all degree programs, faculty, and the St. Louis community. Web Innovations & Technology Services 647 E. Holly St. Louis, MO 63147 314-382-1650 Fax: 314-382-1730 witsismissouris largestnonprofitrecycler.wits www.witsinc.org Provides a free class on computer usage and the Internet to all buyers who need it. Also recycles/refurbishes systems from local/national organizations and companies by fixing or replacing what may be broken and putting it back into the community for educational use. Anything non-reusable is demanufactured & recycled. Pick-up/Drop-off service is available. Web Marketing Association, Inc. P.O. Box 262 W Simsbury, CT 06092 860-558-5423 info@webaward.org www.webaward.org Offers small-business owners an opportunity to have their Websites evaluated, receive valuable comments for independent judges, and create an opportunity to gain publicity by winning an award in its annual WebAward competition. For more information go to www.2006webaward.org.
Resources
Webster University School of Business and Technology 470 East Lockwood Ave. St. Louis, Mo 63119-3194 314-961-2660 x 7940 Fax: 314-968-7077 baeblerb@webster.edu www.webster.edu/sbt Webster University’s School of Business and Technology offers degree programs designed to deliver real knowledge for real world success. The University also offers non-credit workshops and seminars, as well as consulting to address the needs of small businesses in today’s global market. Women in Technology International witi-stlouis@corp.witi.com www.witi.com/center/regionalchapter/stlouis Provides women in technology with inspiration, education, conferences, online services, publications and an exceptional worldwide network of resources. Is the first and only international organization dedicated to advancing women through technology. Women Lawyers Association of Greater St. Louis P.O. Box 1428 St. Louis, MO 63188 314-647-0033 nicole.colbert@ago.mo.gov www.wlastl.org Promotes role and advancement of women attorneys, while supporting all women in the work place. World Affairs Council of St. Louis 815 Olive Blvd., Ste. 29 St Louis, MO 63101 314-727-9988 Fax: 314-727-4771 rfischer@wac-stl.org www.wac-stl.org An educational nonprofit dedicated to promoting awareness and understanding of global issues through ambassador forums and topical seminars. World Trade Center Saint Louis 121 S. Meramec Ave., Ste. 1111 St. Louis, MO 63105 314-615-8141 Fax: 314-862-0102 info@worldtradecenter-stl.com www.worldtradecenter-stl.com A client service organization dedicated to providing a continuum of high quality products and services to the private sector to facilitate global growth and enhance competitiveness. Certified as one of the top marketing research, business-to-business matchmaking, briefings and events provider for international businesses in the St. Louis region.
SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide 63
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