Melissa Bland, an entrepreneur and a client of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for The Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, plans to inaugurate her cherished venture, Honeybee Vintage with a Grand Opening and ribbon-cutting on March 18, 2024, 10 a.m. at 114 E Broadway, Alton. Fueled by her passion for antiquing and thrifting, Bland wholeheartedly embraces her philosophy of “resale before retail.” This guiding principle has been put into pract...
Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE Events
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From Dream to Reality: Heather's Zen Den Yoga Studio's Journey with Illinois SBDC
6 March 2024, 12:16 AM
Heather Garrigus, a client of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, embarked on her entrepreneurial journey in 2021. Fueled by her love for yoga and following the tragic loss of her brother, Garrigus set out to fulfill her dream of owning a business. With unwavering determination, she launched Heather’s Zen Den Yoga Studio in East Alton, Illinois, in memory of her brother.
Recognizing the value of professiona...
A Journey of Entrepreneurial Passion and Mental Health Advocacy supported by the Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE
13 February 2024, 11:05 AM
In the busy world of entrepreneurship, where dreams are transformed into reality, the story of Alliance Counseling Services, PLLC (ACS) is a true inspiration. The owners, a dynamic power couple, not only embarked on a successful entrepreneurial journey but they also recognized the crucial need for mental health support, tackling behavioral challenges, and addressing clinical disorders. This realization led John and Jill Frisbie to establish the practice in 2019, a venture driven by their shared ...
Earth Candy is Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE’s 2023 Metro East Start-Up Challenge Winner
16 November 2023, 5:45 PM
Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE announced the winners of its 10th Annual Metro East Startup Challenge. The 2023 business plan competition attracted around 40 entrepreneurs to compete for a portion of a $28,000 prize package.
Earth Candy, of Troy Illinois, was awarded the first-place prize of $10,000. Earth Candy, owned by David Huniak and Joshua Douglas, is a retail operation that creates, manufactures and sells unique acidified foods.
Toast and Table, located in O’Fal...
Hispanic Heritage Month Wraps Up Big with Small Business and International Trade
24 October 2023, 10:05 PM
Silvia Torres Bowman, director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and International Trade Center (ITC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, appeared with other senior export advisors on a September 26 panel presented by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). “Expand your Exports: Experts Panel” featured Torres Bowman and several Hispanic speakers during SBA’s promotion of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Torres Bowman, a native Peruvian, Ameri...
SIUE Metro East Small Business Development Center Supports Retired Military Veteran and CrossFit Entrepreneur
4 October 2023, 12:10 PM
Illinois Metro East Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville helped expand community fitness options with the transfer to new ownership of a CrossFit facility. With the October 1 opening of Iron House CrossFit, Nick Wahle reached a personal goal: To run a successful enterprise while nurturing a sense of community spirit and promoting fitness as a way of life, especially among students.
SBDC director Jo Ann Di Maggio May met clie...
The President’s “E” Award Awarded to SIUE’s Illinois SBDC International Trade Center
6 June 2023, 1:30 PM
In 1961, President Kennedy signed an executive order reviving the World War II “E” symbol of excellence to honor and recognize America’s exporters. On Tuesday, June 6, the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and International Trade Center (ITC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville received the “E” award for export service at the 62nd anniversary of the award ceremony at the U.S. Department of Commerce.
The award is the highest recognition a ...
Upcoming Fuel the Future Event with SIUE’s Small Business Development Center and International Trade Center
7 April 2023, 11:20 AM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s School of Business, and The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and International Trade Centers (ITC) for the Metro East at SIUE are proud to announce the inaugural Fuel the Future event. The event will offer local small business representatives the opportunity to learn about the no-cost services available to them through these SIUE centers for business development and in particular exporting. Additionally, the event will pro...
Illinois SBDC ITC Continues to Create International Connections for Southern Illinois Businesses
9 November 2022, 8:10 AM
An award-winning BBQ sauce, innovative motorcycle parts and components, industrial paint and specialty markers, and touch screen purses that were designed as a way for women and girls alike to safely, securely and fashionably carry their phones are a few of the products from southern Illinois that could soon be in hot demand outside U.S. borders.
That’s because the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Illinois SBDC International Trade Center (ITC) has continued its customized...
IL SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE Strengthens Operation Ten City: St. Louis
16 June 2022, 8:13 AM
The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is proud to partner with colleagues at the Illinois SBDC International Trade Center (ITC) Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) at the Joseph Center to support Operation Ten City Tour: St. Louis.
“We are excited to partner with the SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE in this venture,” said Director of the Illinois SBDC-ITC-PTAC at the Joseph Center Andy Pham. &#...
EXPORT NOW Inaugural Series Reflects on Successful Launch
15 September 2021, 4:30 PM
The southern Illinois region has long needed a customized, action-oriented export training initiative to put local businesses on the international map. Now, five regional businesses have benefited from such an opportunity, EXPORT NOW.
Presented by the Illinois SBDC International Trade Center (ITC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, in partnership with the Southwest Illinois Trade and Investment Council, LR International and the Illinois District Export Council, with financial support...
Illinois SBDC ITC at SIUE Announces CARES Act Funding for Export Businesses
7 October 2020, 1:08 PM
The COVID-19 pandemic is causing unprecedented disruption to the global economy, which is causing severe negative impacts to small and mid-sized businesses.
Through its federal partner, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) via the CARES Act COVID-19 supplemental funding, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network remains at the center of the national economic recovery effort, supporting small businesses, so they can survive, recover and position themselves for future growth....
SBDC and International Trade Center at SIUE Recognize “Immigrants in Our Midst”
21 September 2018, 3:05 AM
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s International Trade Center (ITC), Small Business Development Center, and College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), along with TheBANK of Edwardsville and additional partners will host a conference on Friday, Oct. 5: “Immigrants in Our Midst,” that focuses on how to better serve U.S. immigrants’ financial, legal and social needs. The event will take place from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. in SIUE’s Morris University Conference Center.
SIUE alu...