Business Owner's Guide 2010-11

SBM

ST. LOUIS

GOODISN’TGOODENOUGH.

PRESENTS BEST IN BUSINESS 2010:Because your business can’t settle for anything less

Learn to Speak Legaleze with Ease There is a reason you didn’t want to go to law school. Learn the latest laws that will affect your business.

You Want Business Building Tips, Right?St. Louis’ Best of the Best in Business provide you with a diet of industry-specific business building protein.

150+ Organizations to Help You GrowSo many times the help you need is only an email away. Get the names of the people who are here to help.

St. Louis Enterprise Center clients InStyle Software

Charlie A. Dooley, St. Louis County Executive Denny Coleman, President & CEO, SLCEC • 314.615.7664 • www.slcec.com

“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

We help you grow your small business.

Business Plan Competition | Finance Programs | Five Incubators | Mentoring | Introduction to Entrepreneurship Workshops | Center for Business Growth | Seminars for Success

© St. Louis Small Business Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

St. Louis Small Business Monthly2451 Executive Dr., Suite 109 | St. Charles, MO 63303

314.569.0076 phone | 314.432.7016 [email protected] | 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 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.

Feature

A LETTER JUST FOR YOU

Don’t Settle forMediocre

CONTENTS

GOODISN’TGOOD

ENOUGH.More Great Stuff

26 Programs for Financing Your Business

31 Minority/Women Owned Businesses

36 Legal41 Resources Index46 Resources

More About Us

3 The Best in BusinessOur 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 Business3 Best Small Bank4 Best Large Bank6 Best Accounting Firm8 Best Law Firm10 Best PR Firm12 Best Customer Service14 Best Place to Hold a Meeting

16 Best in Reliability18 Best Credit Union20 Best IT Firm22 Best Web Design24 Best Restaurant to

Schmooze a Client

Remember 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 owner, you face decisions daily. And making the best decision is critical to your success. So, why waste your time with anything less than the best?As our

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

“Most businesses don’t run out of money. They run out of time.”Dick Sacks, Entrepreneur’s Corner columnist

usbank.com

Lending to small businessesis a #1 priority for us

Mona Nanda Sales Manager 314-416-2512

Michael Pulliam Sales Manager 636-391-4289

Cathy FilandaBusiness Banking

314-418-2340

Visit your local U.S. Bank today and we’ll help you get the type of financing solution you need to grow your business.

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.

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 flowingand 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

Pulaski Bank

B

SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide 3

Bbanks

You are more than your credit score...

Best Small Banks

THE BEST OF THE BEST

THE TOP FINALISTS

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.

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.

314.878.2210888.649.3320

www.pulaskibankstl.com

Business owners should take the

opportunity to meet their banker

Sandy Washington, senior vice president, small business banking at Commerce Bank, tackles a question from our readers:

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.

Royal Banks of Missouri

13171 Olive Blvd.St. Louis, MO 63141 314.212.1650www.royalbanksofmo.com

Enterprise Bank and Trust

150 North Meramec Ave.Clayton, MO 63105 314.725.5500www.enterprisebank.com

FREE ADVICE

U.S. Bank

B

4 SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide

Bbanks

The right banker is a great business partner.

Best Large Banks


THE TOP FINALISTS


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 bank-er. 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.

314.505.8110800.673.3555 www.usbank.com

SIX PERSONAL FINANCE MISTAKES

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

Investing only in their business

Having inadequate personal insurance

Overlooking an exit strategy

Regions Bank

8182 Maryland Ave.St. Louis, MO 63105 314.615.2300www.regions.com

Commerce Bank

8000 Forsyth Blvd.St. Louis 63105 314.726.8700www.commercebank.com

If you see trouble on the horizon,

call your banker.

A TIP FROM THE BEST

While you are out conquering the world, don’t let your personal finances become a mess

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 [email protected] | 314.402.3538

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, for-profit 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.

636-484-0208simplysuccessful-llc.com

Better Communication Improved Methods

BIGGER BOTTOM LINE!

Our formula for your sales

success is simple

Call today!

Your first

consult is

FREE!

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 MurdochSt. 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 Bankof 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 FinancialBank & 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


THE LIST BEST BANKS

THE SOURCE FOR BUSINESS OWNERS

Small BusinessMonthly

SBMSBMST. LOUIS

MonthlySBM

The Source for Business Owners FEBRUARY 2010

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.

ATTENDMISSOURI’SLARGEST

B2B TRADESHOWLEARN MORE:

STLOUISBUSINESSEXPO.COM


B2B TRADE SHOW

Got the Guts to Raise Your Price?

Get to Know St. Louis’ Top Attorneys

The Area’s Best Customer Service Firms

10 Business Diversity SuperheroesYou Need to Meet

Seth Burgettpresident of Yurtopia,

one of St. Louis’ most

innovative, exciting

companies

Small BusinessMonthlySBM

The Source for Business Owners JANUARY 2010

SBMST. LOUIS

SUCCESS FACTOR: Find Out Who’s Got It This Year

Are You Committing One of the

5 Deadly Sins Of Banking?

St. Louis’ Best Places to

Hold a Meeting

Play the Social Media

Game to Get Sales

ATTENDMISSOURI’SLARGEST B2B TRADESHOWLEARN MORE:


ATTENDMISSOURI’SLARGESTB2B TRADE SHOW

The

Small BusinessMonthlySBMSBMST. LOUIS

The Source for Business Owners MARCH 2010

What Old Boys’ Club?St. Louis’ Top Women Business Owners

The Largest B2B Trade Show in Missouri

St. Louis’ Best Credit Unions

How to Emotionally Handle Firing

Close Employees

Get the best of St. Louis’ entrepreneurial insight delivered directly to your desk.

Name ____________________________________________________________ Title ______________Company ____________________________________________________________________________Address _____________________________________________________________________________City, ST, Zip __________________________________________________________________________Phone _____________________________ e-mail ____________________________________________

My check payable to St. Louis Small Business Inc. is enclosed

Charge my credit card: Visa Mastercard Discover AMEX

Account# ______________________________________________________ Exp. _________________Signature _____________________________________________________________________________

Mail to: 2451 Executive Dr., Suite 109, St. Charles, MO 63303

www.sbmon.com | 314.569.0076

1 year ($21.50) 2 years ($35.50) 3 years ($45.50)

Subscribe To SBM. Only $21.50 A Yearhttp://store.sbmon.com

Brown Smith Wallace

A


Aaccounting

Get used to running your business by the numbers.

Best Accounting Firms


THE TOP FINALISTS

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 effec-tive 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.

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.

314.983.1200888.279.2792www.bswllc.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.

RubinBrown

One North Brentwood Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63105 314.290.3300 www.rubinbrown.com

Anders Minkler& Diehl LLP

705 Olive Street, 10th FloorSt. Louis, MO 63101314.655.5500www.amdcpa.com

Protecting data is becoming more of a priority than

ever before.

INDUSTRY TREND

Named one of the Best Accounting Firms in St. Louis for 2010.

Jonathan Becker, CPA, named one of the Top TenSt. 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 Advisors8008 Carondelet Ave., Ste. 214, Clayton, MO 63105

(314) 725-0324 | fax: (314) 727-2970 | www.brcpallc.com

THE LIST BEST ACCOUNTING FIRMS



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 FloorSt. 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. 214Clayton 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.1700St. Louis 63117 | www.muellerprost.com

Philip G. BrumbaughCPA, CVA

314.984.8500 | 13358 Manchester Rd., Ste. 109 Des Peres 63131 | www.brumbaughcpa.com

Poppen & AssociatesCPAs, 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. 1199St. 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. 800St. 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

Why advertise in St. Louis Small Business Monthly?Because you:A. understand the importance of thriving local businessesB. can’t wait until the Spring and Fall St. Louis Business ExposC. want to leverage the buying power of 70,000 business ownersD. are smart with your marketing dollarsE. ALL OF THE ABOVE

St. Louis Business Exam, Question #11

A+Great Job!

O

sbmon.com • 314.569.0076

Armstrong Teasdale

L


Llegal

If you don’t know your rights, you have no rights.

Best Law Firms


THE TOP FINALISTS

WHAT IS THE LATEST TREND IN THE INDUSTRY AND HOW DOES IT AFFECT BUSINESS OWNERS?

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 understand-ing 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.

314.621.5070800.243.5070

www.armstrongteasdale.com

BENEFIT - from a -

BUSINESS LAWYER’S EXPERTISE

“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

Husch BlackwellSanders LLP

Carondelet PlazaSt Louis, MO 63105314.480.1500www.huschblackwell.com

Sandberg Phoenix &Von Gontard PC

600 Washington Avenue, 15th Floor St. Louis, MO 63101314.231.3332 www.sandbergphoenix.com

Keys to successful alternative arrangements

include flexibility, a willingness to share

risk as well as reward and most importantly,

communication.

KEEPING COSTS PREDICTABLE

THE LIST BEST LAW FIRMS



Affinity Law Group, LLC 314.872.3333 | 755 South New Ballas Rd., Ste. 140St. Louis 63141 | www.affinitylawgrp.com

Armstrong Teasdale LLP 314.621.5070 | 7700 Forsyth Blvd., Ste. 1800St. Louis 63105 | www.armstrongteasdale.com

Berry and Maxson 314.480.5881 | 16150 Main Circle Dr., Ste. 120Chesterfield 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. 420St. 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. 600St. 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. 1000St. 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 LowenbaumPartnership LLC

314.863.0092 | 222 S. Cetral Ave., Ste. 901Clayton 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 PlazaSt. Louis 63101 | www.thompsoncoburn.com

Best Law Firm in St. Louis

& Best in ReliabilityVoted Among Top 24 by St. Louis Small Business

Monthly Readers in 2009 and 2010

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.

Affinity Law Group, LLC thanks: the SmallBusiness 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 forbusiness owners and executives.

Please join us in welcoming the newest memberof the Affinity team, Asim S. Raza!

FOR ALL OF YOUR REAL ESTATE LEGAL NEEDS

With a strong family tradition of excellence in the St. Louis real estate industry, Federer & Federer, P.C. gives clients the benefit of real estate and business attorneys with over 140 years of combined legal experience. Federer &

Federer, P.C. represents a diverse range of clients including business owners, homeowners, investors, property managers, contractors, subcontractors, builders, title companies, real estate brokers & agents, appraisers, engineers, and other real estate professionals with their legal needs in the areas of real estate law and litigation, construction law and litigation, and business law and litigation. Call to discuss your options today!

Helping to meet all your real estate and business legal needs.

Real Estate Attorneys

www.federerlaw.com

FEDERER & FEDERER, P.C.

FOR ALL OF YOUR REAL ESTATE LEGAL NEEDS

With a strong family tradition of excellence in the St. Louis real estate industry, Federer & Federer, P.C. gives clients the benefit of real estate and business attorneys with over 100 years of combined legal experience. Federer & Federer, P.C. represents a diverse range of clients including investors, business owners, homeowners, lenders, contractors, subcontractors, developers, builders, title companies, real estate brokers, agents, and other real estate professionals with their legal needs in the areas of real estate law and litigation, construction law and litigation, and business law and litigation. Call us today!

201 S. Fifth StreetSt. Charles, MO 63301636.949.2424

17998 Chesterfield Airport Rd., Ste 204Chesterfield, MO 63005636.530.1400

www.federerlaw.com

Helping to meet all your real estate legal needs.

�e choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.

Real Estate Attorneys

17998 Chesterfield Airport Rd., Ste 204Chesterfield, MO 63005

636.530.1400

201 S. Fifth StreetSt. Charles, MO 63301

636.949.2424

The Vandiver Group

P


Ppublic relations

Get people familiar with your brand and what you can offer.

Best Pr Firms


THE TOP FINALISTS


“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 busi-ness conditions, client needs and new ideas, are key to business success,” says Donna Vandiver, president and CEO of The Vandiver Group.

WHAT IS SOMETHINg ABOUT YOUR COMPANY THAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW?

“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 recog-nized best firms in St. Louis,” says Vandiver.

314.991.4641www.vandivergroup.com

Pam Lontos, president of PR/PR, an Orlando-based public relations firm, refutes popular myths.

7 PUBLICITY MYTHS THAT CAN HURT YOUR BUSINESS

Myth #1I need to own a “big” business to get the media’s attention.

Myth #2My business will be a household name from onebig hit.

Myth #3I need to use big words to impress the interviewer.

Myth #4I need a unique insight.

Myth #5I can’t get my business into that publication.

Myth #6Small publications don’t matter.

Myth #7I don’t need print publicity now that I have profiles on social media sites.

KolbeCo Marketing

1676 Bryan Road, Suite 113Dardenne Prairie, MO 63368636.379.3895www.kolbeco.net

I. Salsman PR

8025 Maryland AvenueSt. Louis, MO 63105314.495.3017www.isalsmanpr.com

If you’re still trying to do business the

way you did five years ago, your

path to success may be blocked.

YOU HAVE TO ADAPT

YOU ONLY GET ONE CHANCE TO MAKE A FIRST IMPRESSION.

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.

BrandingAdvertisingMedia relationsDirect mailCopy writingInternet marketingGraphic designEvents

...............................................................................

...............................................................................

IT IS WHAT IT IS.

8025 Maryland Ave. Clayton, MO 63105 314.495.3017 www.isalsmanpr.com

Call for a free consultation.


THE LIST BEST PR FIRMS


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. NWebster 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, #400St. 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 GroundPublic 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 MarketingCommunications

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/TurnerPublic Relations

314.205.0800 | www.solomonturner.com

Standing Partnership 314.469.3500 | 540 Maryville Centre Drive, Ste. 100St. Louis 63141 | www.standingpr.com

Traffic PRM 314.968.7712 | [email protected]

The Vandiver Group 314.991.4641 | 510 Maryville Centre Drive, Suite 320 St. Louis 63141 | www.vandivergroup.com

The Workman Company 314.640.9033 | 106 W. Madison Ave., Ste. 240St. 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



SBMSBMST. LOUIS

MonthlySBM







B2B TRADE SHOW








companies



SBMST. LOUIS





Hold a Meeting


Game to Get Sales




The







Close Employees







www.sbmon.com | 314.569.0076

1 year ($21.50) 2 years ($35.50) 3 years ($45.50)

Subscribe To SBM. Only $21.50 A Yearhttp://store.sbmon.com

Shred-It

C


Ccustomer service

What is something that every business claims to have, but few do?

Best customer Service


THE TOP FINALISTS


“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 com-pany....Sell. Sell. Sell,” says Jeff Germann, general manager, Shred-It.


“Not maintaining an ongoing relationship with clients. Contact each customer regularly,” says Germann.

314.995.9099877.247.4733www.shredit.com

An excerpt from the article, The Key To Your Company’s Long Term Success: Excep-tional Customer Focus by Jack Hoffmann

5 RULES FOR A CUSTOMER- FOCUSED CULTURE1. Establish a

vision of what exceptional customer focus means in your organization.

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.

Universal Business Supply

4344 Rider Trl N, #CEarth City, MO 63045314.298.0153www.universalbusinesssupply.com

Brown SmithWallace LLC

1050 North Lindbergh Blvd.St Louis, MO 63132-2912314.983.1200www.bswllc.com

you have to put a huge emphasis on

sales within your company...Sell.

Sell. Sell.

COFFEE IS FOR CLOSERS

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

618/463.2430 877/463.2430 [email protected] www.answermidwest.com

Schedule A Complimentary Consultation Today

Our only limitation is your imagination!

THE LIST BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE



AnswerMidwest 618.463.9093 |307 Henry St., Ste. 207Alton, 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 UniformCompany

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. 300Creve 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 ProductsInternational, 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 UpTelemarketing, Inc.

314.821.8111 | 13545 Barrett Pkwy., Ste. 101Ballwin 63021 | www.thumbsupinc.com

Universal Business Supply 314.298.0153 | 4344 Rider Trail North Earth City 63045 | www.universalbusinesssupply.com

St. CharlesConvention Center

M


Mmeetings

Picking the right meeting venue means you will get fewer yawns.

Best Places to Hold a Meeting


THE TOP FINALISTS

WHAT ARE THE LATEST TRENDS IN YOUR INDUSTRY AND HOW DO THEY AFFECT BUSINESS OWNERS?

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.


Don’t underestimate the value of networking and networking events. Relationships are key!

636.669.3000www.stcharlesconventioncenter.com

STOP BORING PEOPLEHere is what Don ‘The Idea Guy’ Snyder, author of “Boring Meetings Suck” and “100-Whats of Creativity”, suggests to engage employees in business meetings:

“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.

Windows On Washington

701 North 15th Street St Louis, MO 63103314.241.5555www.wowbanquets.com

Orlando Gardens

4300 Hoffmeister Ave.St. Louis, MO 63125314.638.6660www.orlandogardens.com

Don’t underestimate the value of

networking and networking events.

IT’S WHOM YOU KNOW

So, we took a poll around the office, and no one likes your meetings.

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.

(Our most recent award: Third Place Winner in the 2010 St. Louis Regional Business Plan Competition presented by the St. Louis County Economic Council.)

Our solutions offer creative& effective approaches to:

•Strategic & Business Plans

•Market Analysis & Development

•Financial Plans•Presentations•Business Writing•Operations Improvement

Contact: Richard Clark, PrincipalOffice: 636-549-3413Mobile: 949-683-4563E-mail: [email protected]. Box 325Eureka, MO 63025

Award-winning Business Consulting

Solutions for Your Business...

Principal Richard A. Clark

For Business Consulting & Support: P.O. Box 325 Eureka, MO 63025

Office: 636-549-3413 Mobile: 949-683-4563 E-mail: [email protected]

Axxel

Business Solutions


THE LIST BEST PLACES TO HOLD A MEETING


Andre’s Banquet Facilities 314.894.2622 | 4254 Telegraph Rd. St. Louis 62129 | www.andresbanquet.com

Applegate’s 314.968.6466 |1912 S. BrentwoodSt. Louis 63144 | www.applegatesdeli.com

Café Demenil 314.771.5829 | 3352 Demenil Pl.St. Louis 63118 | www.cafedemenil.biz

Casa Loma Ballroom 314.664.8000 | 3354 Iowa Ave.St. Louis 63118 | www.casalomaballroom.com

Ces & Judy’s Catering 314.991.6700 | 10405 Clayton Rd.St. Louis 63131 | www.cesandjudys.com

Coranado Ballroom 314.367.4848 | 3701 Lindell Blvd.St. Louis 63108 | www.thecoranado.com

Crowne PlazaSt. Louis- Clayton

314.726.5400 | 7750 Carondelet Ave.St. Louis 63105 | www.cpclayton.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 CircleInnsbrook 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 CoffeeCompany

636.527.7027 | 15480 Clayton Rd., Suite 220 Ballwin 63011 | www.lonewolfcoffeecompany.com

Orlandos Gardens 314.638.6660 | 4300 HoffmeisterSt. Louis 63125 | www.orlandogardens.com

Pujols 5 Westport Grill 314.439.0505 | 342 Westport PlazaSt. Louis 63146 | www.pujols5grill.com

St. CharlesConvention Center

636.669.3000 | 1 Convention Center Plaza St. Charles 63303 | www.stcharlesconventioncenter.com

STACY O'NEAL

(314) 923-5568Authorized Agent

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield

[email protected] Chestnut St.

Need affordable health coverage?

NO OBLIGATION CONSULTATION OR QUOTE. For more information call.

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.

We offer Health Coverage for:• Individuals without Group Coverage• Independent Contractors• Dependents and Students• COBRA/Alternative• Self-Employed• Small Businesses


St. Louis Airport Marriott 314.423.9700 | 10700 Pear TreeSt. Louis 63134 | www.stlouisairportmarriot.com

St. Louis Bread Company Lisa Bell | [email protected] Over 20 locations | www.panerabread.com

Triumph Grill 314.446.1801 | 3419 Olive St.St. Louis 63103 | www.triumphgrill.com

Westport Conference Center

314.878.3322 | 600 Westport Plaza St. Louis 63146 | www.westportconferencecenter.com

Wild Horse Grill 636.532.8750 | 101 Chesterfield Towne CentreChesterfield 63005 | www.wildhorsegrill.com

Windows On Washington 314.241.5555 | 1601 Washington St. Louis 63103 | www.wowbanquets.com

Yacovelli’s Restaurant 314.839.1000 | 407 Dunn Rd. Florissant 63031 | www.yacovellis.com

Kaldi’s CoffeeRoasting Company

R


Rreliability

Creating a positive customer expectation

Best in Reliability


THE TOP FINALISTS

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 na-tion,” 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.

314.727.9991888.892.6333

www.kaldiscoffee.com

Our publisher, Ron Ameln gives a business owner’s perspective.

BUILD A MORE RELIABLE BUSINESS

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.

Office Essentials

1834 Walton Rd. St. Louis, MO 63114866.251.9802www.oeistl.com

Tech Electronics

6437 Manchester AvenueSt. Louis, MO 63139314.645.6200www.techelectronics.com

My brother and husband travel all over

the globe to source some of the world’s

finest coffees.

FAMILY ON THE GO

P a t r i c k L e n c i o n iauthor of the New York Times BestseLLer The Five DYsFuNcTioNs oF A TeAm

a B u s i n e s s f a B L e …

about shedding the three fears that sabatoge client loyalty

Getting Naked

91.51320

Quality Bible TeachingChristian News & Information

Business Owners:Our Quality Family Audience

Could Become YourBest New Customers!

• BRN Listeners are loyal, qualified consumers• BRN Listeners have above average disposable income• Current BRN Sponsors report great results!

Serving St. Louis

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

THE LIST BEST IN RELIABILITY



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. 140St. Louis 63141 | www.affinitylawgrp.com

Career AdvancementCorporation

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


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 GroupNorthwestern 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

Vantage Credit Union

C


Ccredit unions

More options are out there for business capital.

Best Credit Unions


THE TOP FINALISTS


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.

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 com-munity. 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

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

West CommunityCredit Union

2345 South Brentwood Blvd.St. Louis, MO 63144636.720.2400www.westcommunitycu.org

First CommunityCredit Union

4249 Watson Road St Louis, MO636.728.3333www.firstcommunity.com

Word -of-mouth can be your

biggest point of success...or failure.

WATCH YOUR MOUTH

L o 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.

Call (636) 537-5808 or visit www.accupayaps.net for a free demo and quote!

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!

THE LIST BEST CREDIT UNION


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 fi nancing and asset-based lending to small- and medium-sized businesses nationwide. Let us help.

Mickey [email protected]


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 KO’Fallon 63368 | www.westcommunitycu.org

Why advertise in St. Louis Small Business Monthly?Because you:A. understand the importance of thriving local businessesB. can’t wait until the Spring and Fall St. Louis Business ExposC. want to leverage the buying power of 70,000 business ownersD. are smart with your marketing dollarsE. ALL OF THE ABOVE

St. Louis Business Exam, Question #11

A+Great Job!

O

sbmon.com • 314.569.0076

Datotel

I


IIT

Be friendly to your techie.

Best IT Firms


THE TOP FINALISTS

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.


“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 instru-mental role in the growth of Datotel,” says Brown.

314.241.9101 877.241.9101

www.datotel.com

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.

Miken Technologies

7790 Watson Road St. Louis, MO 63119 314.961.0501www.miken.net

TDK Technologies

12977 North Forty Drive, Suite 108St. Louis, MO 63141314.878.1005 www.tdktech.com

Don’t try to do everything alone.

Seek out other business owners and ask for help.

GET HELP

You are only cheating yourself with shortcuts in technology.

“...a MUST-READ for anyone in business or thinking about starting a business.

Learn tips, advice and strategies from successful St. Louis entrepreneurs.”

BUSINESSBREAKTHROUGHS

ST. LOUIS STYLE

ron ameln • julia paulus • jeremy nulik

successful st. louisentrepreneurs sharetheir secrets

Foreword byTom Schlafl ySt. Louis Brewery- and -Schlafl y Beer

a portion of the proceeds go to Connections to Success -

a nonprofi t dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty, one family at a time.

BU

SINE

SS BR

EA

KT

HR

OU

GH

S - ST. L

OU

IS STY

LE

AM

ELN

• PAU

LUS • N

ULIK

Can you have an innovative, breakthroughbusiness in a corporate town like St. Louis?

Maxine Clark (Build-a-Bear), Dave Steward (World Wide Technology) and

Barrett Toan (Express Scripts) would answer with an emphatic, “yes.” For a

town not widely known for its openness to new ideas, St. Louis has been home

to some of our nation’s most remarkable business people.� is book takes 21 years of business lessons from St. Louis’ most recognized and

successful companies (no matter how you defi ne success) and places them all

back-to-back.Many companies in St. Louis are poised to be the next Enterprise Rent-A-Car

or Scottrade. � ese pages will help to educate and inspire those businesses to

become the next St. Louis giants.Be prepared to make your business grow.

Book Cover.indd 1

5/11/2009 9:52:06 AM

On Sale Now! $20www.amazon.com

Search: Business Breakthroughs St. Louis StyleOr

http://store.sbmon.com

Learn what it takes to succeed in business from some

of St. Louis’ most successful entrepreneurs.

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-A-Bear Workshops), Dave Steward (World Wide Technology), Barrett Toan (Express Scripts) and Andy and Jack Taylor (Enterprise Rent-A-Car), as well as other entrepreneurs.

a portion of the proceeds go to Connections to Success -a nonprofit dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty, one family at a time.

“Our success is based on your satisfaction.”Serving St. Louis since 1979

Enhancing youroffice digitallyKyocera, Copystar, NEC and Samsung

314.997.8916 | www.price2.com

Factory authorized sales and service

• Network-ready Digital & Color Multi-functional printers/copiers

• Print Management Software

• Document Storage Software


THE LIST BEST IT FIRMS


Alpha & Omega Consulting 314.276.2597 | www.computerconsultingstlouis.com

ATB Technologies 314.878.4166 | 999 Executive Parkway Dr., Ste 102 St. Louis 63141 | www.atb-tech.com

CenterLine Technologies 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 RoadSt. 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. 300St. Louis 63141 | www.maryville.com

Midwest Networking Services, Inc.

636.326.4343 | 85 Smoke Tree DrFenton 63026 | www.midwestnetworking.com

Miken Technologies 314.961.0501 | 7790 Watson RoadSt. Louis 63119 | www.miken.net

M.I.S. Corporation 314.361.3505 | 3 Worthington Access RoadMaryland 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. 101Arnold 63010 | www.pctechrx.com

Q&A Business Solutions 314.416.8973 | 4728 HedgemontSt. Louis 63128 | www.qabs.com

River City Technology Group

636.936.1500 | 1000 Mid Rivers Mall Dr., Ste. 150St. Peters 63376 | www.rivercitytech.com

Skeleton Key 314.962.8888 | 3260 Hampton Ave., Ste. 200St. Louis 63139 | www.skeletonkey.com

SSE 314.439.4700 | 77 Westport Plaza, Ste. 500St. Louis 63146 | sseinc.com

Sudora LLC 314.993.4555 | 8522 Olive Blvd., Ste. LLUniversity City 63132 | www.sudora.com

TDK Technologies 314.878.1005 | 12977 North Forty Dr., #108St. Louis 63141 | www.tdktech.com

UltraTech Resources 636.594.2004 | 16401 Swingley Ridge Rd., Ste 250Chesterfield 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 DrO’Fallon, MO 63366 | www.winningtech.com

VividSites

W


Wweb design

Double-u, double-u, double-u, dot, great design means more cash, dot, com

Best Web Design


THE TOP FINALISTS

WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU HAVE FOR BUSINESS OWNERS?

“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 Vivid-Sites.

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 lo-cal company,” says Black.

314.415.2000 www.vividsites.com

Internet marketing guru and owner of Words that Click, Adam Kreitman explains how a successful web presence requires more than a pretty face.

CONTENT IS KING

Content 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.

Habanero

712 N. Second Street, Suite 200 St. Louis, MO 63102 314.771.5522www.habanero.com

InvoDesign

10805 Sunset Office Drive St Louis, MO 63127 888.345.4686www.invodesign.com

Let go of your routine and force yourself to

change in the direction your industry is going.

DON’T GO INSANE

THE LIST BEST WEB DESIGN


WE ARE THE COMPANY THAT BRANDED

3001 LOCUST STREET, ST.LOUIS, MO 63103 314 + 534.2000 [email protected] WWW.TOKY.COM

STRATEGY + MESSAGING + PRINT + WEB DESIGN

EXPERTS IN PREMIUM BRANDING

Toky_ABOG_Ad_CRA_Layout 1 8/12/10 3:11 PM Page 1


Captiva Marketing314.822.3656 | 10805 Sunset Office Dr., #207 | St. Louis 63127www.capitiva-marketing.com

CDK Web636.939.4440 | 2440 Executive Dr., #200 | St. Charles 63303www.cdkweb.com

CIO Services LLC314.414.8400 | 606 North and South Rd., #201 | St. Louis 63130www.cioservicesllc.com

Falk Harrison Creative

314.531.1410 | 1300 Baur Blvd.St. Louis 63132www.falkharrison.com

Fine Dog Creative314.968.1200 | 103 W. Lockwood Ave., #201 | St. Louis 63119www.finedogcreative.com

Geile-Leon Marketing Communications

314.727.5850 | 130 S. Bemiston, Ste. 800 | St. Louis 63105www.geileon.com

Habanero314.771.5522 | 712 N. Second St., #200 | St. Louis 63102www.habanero.com

Infuz314.584.8000 | 611 N. Tenth St. Ave., 4th Floor | St. Louis 63101www.infuz.com

Insite Advice314.621.6888 | 6266 Gravois Ave.St. Louis 63116www.insiteadvice.com

InvoDesign888.345.4686 | 10805 Sunset Office Dr. | St. Louis 63127www.invodesign.com

jWeb New Media Design

636.928.3162 | 2121 Collier Corpo-rate Pkwy. | St. Charles 63303www.jwebmedia.com

Paradigm New Media Group

314.621.7600 | 5017 Washington Place, #100 | St. Louis 63108www.pnmg.com

Pinnacle Design Studio

636.294.4506www.pinnacle-designstudio.com

Powers By Design314.238.1355 | 10805 Sunset Office Dr., #300 | St. Louis 63127www.powersbydesign.com

Pupillo Group314.968.0500 | 9056 Watson Rd. St. Louis, 63126 www.pgistlouis.com

RazorBall.net314.754.1466 | P.O. Box 4527Chesterfield 63006 www.razorball.net

Spencer Web Design636.922.7112 | P.O. Box 664 St. Peters 63376www.spencerwebdesign.com

SteadyRain314.446.0733 | 716 Geyer Ave., #400 | St. Louis 63104www.steadyrain.com

Timmermann Group 314.588.1735www.timmermangroup.com

The Miller Group314.822.8090 |1112 Westmark Dr.St. Louis 63131www.themillergroup.com

The Net Impact636.532.4424 | 16690 Swingley Ridge Rd. | Chesterfield, 63017www.thenetimpact.com

VIVIDSITES314.415.2000 | 999 Executive Park-way, #330 | St. Louis, 63141www.vividsites.com

Annie Gunn’s

R

24 SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide SBM

Rrestaurants

Where the elite meet to eat.

Best Restaurantsto Schmooze a Client


THE TOP FINALISTS


“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 cre-ates great results for the client and the restaurant,” says Thom Sehnert, owner of Annie Gunn’s.

636.532.7684 www.smokehousemarket.com

Mike Shannon’s Steaks & Seafood

1 North 7th StreetSt. Louis, MO 63101314.421.1540www.shannonsteak.com

Cunetto House of Pasta 5453 Magnolia AvenueSt. Louis, MO 63139314.781.1135www.cunetto.com

THE LIST BEST RESTAURANTS


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


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’sSteaks & 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/

Business DevelopmentReal Estate Development Site Location AssistanceRetail AttractionBusiness Incubators

Business DevelopmentReal Estate Development Site Location AssistanceRetail AttractionBusiness Incubators

Rodney Crim, Executive Director1015 Locust Street, Suite 1200St. Louis, Missouri 63101Office: 314.622.3400FAX: 314.231.2341http://stlouis.missouri.org

Francis G. Slay, Mayor

“ Keeping St. Louis in Business”St. Louis Development Corporation

“ Keeping St. Louis in Business”St. Louis Development Corporation

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 short-and 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

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, Service-disabled 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 real-estate 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

26 SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide 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,1-800-234-4971.

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 pre-export 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, [email protected].

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

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 com-pany 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 perma-nent 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 coop-eration 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, Colum-bia, Florissant, Independence, Jefferson City, Joplin, Kansas City, O’Fallon, Springfield, St. Charles, St. Joseph, St. Peters, Lee’s

SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide 27Financing

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 cit-ies 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 non-rural 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

(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 equip-ment, 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 develop-ment 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 ap-proved 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 other-wise excluded business may qualify if the offices serve a multi-state territory. The company cannot have been announced or construction started prior to the approval process.


City of St. Louis314-622-3400 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 li-censed 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 financ-ing 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 corpora-tions, 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 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


Bank Said NO?

We Can Help!

Local funder • Quick advances on invoices Timely rebates • No up-front or hidden fees No volume commitments

Call Joy Ann [email protected]

• Improve cash fl ow• Increase profi ts• Promote growth

Financing

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.

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.

FIND EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO TAKE

YOUR BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL

sbmon.com

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 636-441-6880 www.edcscc.com


Business Opportunities For Minority- And 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 flex-ibility 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. Pro-curement 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, [email protected], 314-232-8454 or Oliver Leslie, Supplier Diversity Office, [email protected], 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 quali-fied 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 call-ing 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 314-622-4580.

The City Journal published (weekly) by the City of St. Louis-contains 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 construc-tion and design services. For more information, contact Bette Behan at 314-622-3535 email:[email protected] or visit www.stl-bps.org.

Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization (DITCO) is the procurement organization for telecommunica-tions 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 technol-ogy products and services areas. Contact Rodney DeaVault at 618-229-9106. www.stlbps.org.

The General Services Administration (GSA) purchases prod-ucts 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 email-ing [email protected] 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 agen-cies/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 rec-ognized by other entities. For additional information call 1-312-814-4190 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 certifica-tion, to individual minorities and females seeking employment and to prime contractors doing business with IDOT. The consul-tants 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. Op-portunities at the airport include professional services, general

SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide 31Minority/Women

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” certifica-tion process for all Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certified under federal regulation 49 CFR Part 26. The Mis-souri 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 314-426-8111 or visit www.mwdbe.org.

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) fed-erally 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 Good- Faith 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.)

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 opportuni-ties, contact Shirlyn at 314-340-4194 or [email protected].

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:

n Certification workshopsn Procurement related researchn Agency purchasing analysisn Bid notification (through website)n Networking events notification (www.oswd.mo.gov) web-

siten Featured vendors (www.oswd.mo.gov) website

The program provides assistance to state agencies and pri-vate firms for identifying MBE and WBE firms for contracting purposes through a Directory of certified vendors available on the website.

32 SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide Minority/Women

ATTENTIONMinority/Women/Disadvantaged Business Enterprises

To do business with Lambert St. Louis International Airport and the City of St. Louis...

GET CERTIFIED!Call 314-426-8111Go to www.mwdbe.orgfor a certification applicationand other information

Lambert St. Louis International Airport®

DBE Program Office - P.O. Box 10212 - St. Louis, MO 63145



SBMSBMST. LOUIS

MonthlySBM







B2B TRADE SHOW








companies



SBMST. LOUIS





Hold a Meeting


Game to Get Sales




The







Close Employees







www.sbmon.com | 314.569.0076

1 year ($21.50) 2 years ($35.50) 3 years ($45.50)

Subscribe To SBM. Only $21.50 Per Yearhttp://store.sbmon.com

MBEs: Regis ter Now!Sign up onl ine for SSM Heal th Care ' s

Minor i ty Bus iness Enterpr ise Director y :

w w w. s s m h c . c o m / d i v e r s i t yCl ick on the Suppl ier Divers i ty l ink .

For more information please contact the Office of Administra-tion, 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 geospatial-intelligence 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. Win-ters St., Bldg. 50, Scott Air Force Base, IL 62225, purchases base services, construction, renovation, architectural, engineering, hospital services, information technology, and regular commodi-ties needed specifically to support Scott Air Force Base opera-tions. 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 special-ized IT, Technical Services and Global Air/Ground Shipping. Contact Michelle Mendez at 618-256-9619.

SSM Health Care (SSMHC) wants to in-crease business partnerships with minority and women suppliers and SSMHC wants to im-prove support to and alliances with organiza-tions whose missions call for rigorous pursuit of fairness and equality of all people.

SSMHC’s needs include the following: medical/surgical supplies (Premier, Inc.), laboratory supplies, radiology supplies (Pre-mier, Inc.), pharmaceuticals (Premier, Inc.), food and beverage (Premier, Inc.), distribu-tion 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 Diver-sity.”

3 At the bottom of this page, click the blue link, “Register for SSM Health Care’s Minor-ity Business Enterprise Directory.”

4 Read the Disclaimer and click a Yes or No

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. Congratu-lations!

You are now registered with SSMHC.

For more information, please call Michael Rosenblatt at 314-989-3225, email [email protected], 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. Contrac-tors interested in being added to the list can call 615-8241 for an application.”

Mission and Installation Contracting Command-Director-ate 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, [email protected], DOC, Website:www.wood.army.mil/doc, P.O. Box 140, Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473.

SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide 33Minority/Women

National Women Business Owners Corporation 800-675-5066 • www.nwboc.org

St. Louis Minority Business Council(Only certify ethnic minority-owned businesses)Georgetta Vann, Manager-Certifications314-241-1143, ext. 113 • email: [email protected]

State of Illinois Central Management ServicesBusiness Enterprise Program 312-814-4191 • www.sell2.illinois.gov

State of IllinoisDepartment of Transportation (IDOT)217-782-7820 • www.dot.il.gov

State of MissouriDepartment of Transportation (MoDOT)Division of External Civil Rights, Lester Woods Jr., External Civil Rights Director573-751-4309 • email: [email protected] http://www.modot.mo.gov/business/contractor_resources/externalcivilrights.htm

State of MissouriOffice of AdministrationOffice of Supplier and Workforce DiversityNancy C. Heyer, Certification Coordinator877-259-2963 • email: [email protected]

U.S. Small Business Administration8(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

HUBZone Online Certification at www.sba.gov. Patti Guttmann, 314-539-6600, ext. 255

Women’s Business Enterprise National Council202-872-5515 • www.wbenc.org

CertificationA minority or women business enterprise (MBE/WBE) desig-

nation is given to a company at least 51% owned, managed and controlled by minorities or women. Many companies and govern-ment 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 dis-advantaged” 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. Certi-fication 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 Depart-ment 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: City of St. Louis and Lambert Airport314-426-8111 • email: [email protected]

Metro 314-982-1400, Ext. 1352 • email: [email protected]

For information or greatideas please call

314.664.3004www.andysseasoning.com

Locally owned & manufactured since 1981

34 SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide Minority/Women

Legal Reference GuideThis 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.

BIG IDEAS & INVENTIONSWe 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

2009 EXPERIENCE > 1,125 patent applications filed > 388 applications originally drafted and filed > 222 trademark applications

Patrick W. Rasche, Intellectual Property Practice Group Leaderwww.armstrongteasdale.com / 800.243.5070The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.

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

> 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”

Benchmark 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.

Circular E-Employer’s Tax Guide

Employer must deposit withheld taxes:

• quarterly (if paying with Form 941) • monthly • semi-weekly • next banking day after $100,000 threshold is reached

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.

Section 11 of Internal Revenue Code

Federal Income Tax Rate • 15% • 25% • 34% • 39% • 34% • 35% • 38% • 35% • taxed at 35% flat rate

Gross receipts up to $5,000,000. Section 448 of Internal Revenue Code

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.

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.


Losses on disposition of the corporation’s stock do not qualify for the special ordinary loss treatment available to “small business corporations.”

More than 100 shareholders of a corporation, more than one class of stock, certain prohibited shareholders.


Corporation could lose or be ineligible to elect “Subchapter S” status.

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

Internal Revenue Service/Department of Labor

Reg. §2520.104 b -10

• 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. 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.

Section 179 of the Internal Revenue Code

Reduction of the $250,000 maximum amount of qualifying property that can be expensed in 2010 instead of depreciated over several years.

Labor and EmploymentEmployers engaged in interstate commerce or engaged in the production of goods for interstate commerce (almost all employers). Fair Labor Standards

Act

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.

Almost all employers. Missouri Minimum Wage Statute

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.

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). Title VII of the Civil

Rights Act of 1964

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.

All employers. Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986

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.

All employers. Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988

Prohibits employers from using polygraph results as basis for employment action with limited exceptions. Notice posting requirements.

Employers with 20 or more employees for each working day in each of 20 or more calendar weeks.

Age Discrimination in Employment Act

Prohibits employment discrimination against individuals 40 years old and older. Notice posting requirements.

Employers with 15 or more employees.

Americans with Disabilities Act

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.

36 SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide 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.

Family and Medical Leave Act

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.

Employers with 100 or more employees. Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act

Requires 60 days advance notice prior to a plant shutdown or layoff of 50 or more employees. Notice posting requirements prior to action.

50 or more employees and contracts or subcontracts of $50,000 plus. Executive Order No. 11246

Requires employers to implement an affirmative action plan for hiring and promoting females and minorities.

All employers in Missouri that have paid wages of $1,500 or more in any quarter either in the current or preceding calendar year. Employment Security

Law Requires employers to contribute to unemployment compensation fund based on aggregate workers’ wages in various worker classifications.

Generally, 5 or more employees working in Missouri, except 1 or more employees in the construction industry. Workers’ Compensation

Law Requires employers to obtain workers’ compensation insurance through state-approved carrier. Prohibits retaliation against employees filing claims. Notice posting requirements.

Employers with 6 or more employees working in Missouri.

Missouri Human Rights Act

Prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, or disability. Includes prohibition against harassment, including sexual harassment. Federal laws that also prohibit these forms of employment discrimination begin to apply as a company retains its 15th employee working anywhere in the U.S. Notice posting requirements.

Employers with 7 or more employees of a corporation doing business in Missouri (State).

Service Letter Statute

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 reason why employment ended. Letter must be provided to employee whether they quit or were terminated.

All private workplaces in Missouri. Indoor Clean Air Act Employer may not have more than 30% of entire work space designated as smoking area.

All employers in Missouri. Smokers’ and Alcohol Users’ Rights Law

Prohibits adverse employment action based on legal use of “lawful products” including tobacco or alcohol, off the premises of the employer.

All employers in Missouri. Missouri Equal Pay Act

Requires payment of same wage to males and females for work requiring equal skill, effort, and responsibility in similar working conditions.

All employers in Missouri. Voting Leave Act

Requires employers to give employees three hours paid leave in which to vote in any election in Missouri, unless employee has three consecutive nonworking hours in which to vote.

All employers in Missouri (State). Final Wage Payment Statute

Requires employers, if properly requested by terminated employee, to have final paycheck ready within 7 days of receipt of request.

All employers (Federal). Civil Rights Act of 1866 (§1981)

Prohibits racial discrimination in the making and enforcing of contracts (including employment contracts.) As to events taking place after November 1991, includes any claim of discrimination during the employment relationship, including termination.

Virtually all private employers (Federal). National Labor Relations Act

Regulates relations between management and unions. Also protects employee’s right to choose unions or to reject unions. Prohibits both management and unions from engaging in certain unfair labor practices.

All employers in Missouri (State). Political Activities of Employees

Generally, prevents employers from prohibiting employees from engaging in political activities.

All employers (Federal). Jury System Improve- ments Act of 1978

Prohibits discrimination against employees serving on a federal jury.

All employers subject to Missouri unemployment law (State). Employment Security No discrimination against employee for testifying on behalf of another employee.

All employers in Missouri (State). Jury Statute

No discrimination against employee for receiving or responding to jury summons.

All employers in Missouri (State). Health Care Continuation Statutes

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.

Employers employing at least 15 employees (Federal). Equal Pay Act (EPA)

Requires payment of same wage to males and females for work requiring equal skill, effort, and responsibility in similar working conditions.

Generally, most employers with health, life, disability, pension or other employee benefits plan.

Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)

Prohibits discrimination against employees or applicants due to participation, potential participation or vesting in any employee benefit plan.

Employer normally employs 20 or more employees. COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985)

Employer sponsoring a group health plan must offer qualified beneficiaries the right to continue coverage under the group health plan for 18-36 months.

All employers. Missouri Genetic Testing Law

Prohibits use or disclosure of genetic information.

SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide 37Legal


Environmental/Health & SafetyConditionally 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.

Hazardous Waste Regulations under RCRA

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.

• Part 70 Source: Facility has the potential to emit 10, 25, 50 or 100 tons per year of certain air pollutants (depends on non-attainment 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.

Missouri’s Operating Permit Rule— CSR 10-6.065

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.

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).

Hazardous Chemical Inventory Reporting under §311 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act

Requires owner or operator to submit reports on inventories of various chemicals based on certain threshold levels.

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.

Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990

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.

Own or operate petroleum underground storage tanks.State Underground Storage Tank Programs (Illinois and Missouri)

Requires owner or operator to provide proof of financial responsibility to cover costs of corrective action and liability to third parties resulting from releases from existing underground petroleum storage tanks. All tanks not meeting “new” UST standards were to have been upgraded by December 22, 1998 or be removed from service and closed.

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.

Process Safety Management Rule under the OSH Act 29 CFR 1910.119

Requires owners to perform a process hazard analysis and develop written operating procedures, employee training, emergency action plans, evaluation of mechanical integrity of critical equipment and written procedures for managing changes in process or procedures.

Employs 100 or fewer individuals on a company-wide basis.

EPA’s Interim Policy on Compliance Incentives for Small Businesses

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 business’s first violation of this requirement (no previous enforcement of that requirement within last 3 years); (3) the 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.

An employer with more than 10 employees on a company-wide basis (except those in Standard Industrial Classification codes 52-89).

OSHA’s Recording and Reporting of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses

Employer is required to record occupational injuries and illness on a log with a separate supporting record for each injury or illness and post in the workplace the log for the previous calendar year during the following month of February.

Intellectual Property-Patents & Trade SecretsInfringement: 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.

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.

Notices of infringement: A client may receive a notice of infringement from a patent owner.

The notice should be promptly referred to patent counsel for investigation and a prompt response.



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 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.

Patent Act

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. Missouri Trade Secret

Act

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.

Develop an outside inventions submission program. Consult counsel to implement such a program to avoid inadvertently receiving confidential disclosures. Case Law

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.

Use employment agreements or other technology agreements by which employees agree to disclose and protect company technological developments and other confidential information.

Case Law 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.

Maintain patent “watches” to stay abreast of patents of competitors and competitive technologies.

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.

Intellectual Property-TrademarksTrademarks and trade names: Prior to use, an investigation should be conducted to determine if the proposed trademark or trade name is available for use.

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.

New trademarks used or planned for use in interstate commerce should be registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Federal trademark protection is an important asset.

Maintain trademark and trade name “watches” to stay abreast of any infringements.

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.

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.

Failure to timely respond to a notice of infringement can result in damages and payment of attorneys’ fees.

Intellectual Property-Trade DressDistinctive 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-CopyrightsClient should promptly place copyright notice on all original works it creates, including Internet Webpage content. (©<year of first publication><owner of copyright>)

Title 17 US Code Without a copyright notice, an infringer can assert an innocent infringement defense in mitigation of actual or statutory damages.

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.

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.

Client should file an application with U.S. Copyright Office within three months after publication of the work. Title 17 US Code

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.

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.

If special relief is not sought, client’s complete source code will become a public record.

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.

Title 17 US Code

Case Law

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.

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.

Title 17 US Code

Case Law

Without such an express agreement, the ownership of any such works may be left open.

Client should record all transfers of copyright ownership of its works with the U.S. Copyright Office. Title 17 US Code

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 39Legal






















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.

Title 17 US Code

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.

Intellectual Property-Domain NamesClients should consider registering their company name or key product names in the following top-level domains (TLDs): .com, .biz (businesses), .us (requires U.S. nexus) and .net. Other TLDs that may be available to client include: .aero (air-transport industry), .coop (cooperatives), .edu (U.S. educational institutions), .gov (U.S. government), .info, .int (organizations established by international treaty), .mil (U.S. military), .museum (museums), .name (individuals), .org, .pro (accountants, lawyers, physicians and other professionals). Multiple TLD registrations are possible for a given name and, in many cases, are recommended. Prior to registering a TLD, an investigation should be conducted to determine if the domain name is confusingly similar to a U.S. registered trademark, and, if the goods or services offered in connection with the domain name are the same or similar to those associated with the registered trademark.

ICANN Dispute Resolution Policy

The Lanham Act

Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act

Rights in domain names could be lost – for example, client could be forced to transfer the domain name pursuant to an order resulting from a domain name arbitration proceeding. In addition, there may be potential trademark infringement liability.

Do not use competitors trademarks as domain names or metatags.

The chart is not, nor is it intended to be, a comprehensive summary of the threshold levels at which the statutes and regulationscited therein take effect, and it is qualified in its entirety by reference to the appropriate statute and regulations.

Chart compiled in June 2010 by: Joseph D. Demko, Daniel K. O’Toole, Robert B. Reeser III, Roger A. Walker, all with the law firm of Armstrong Teasdale LLP.


Resources For Your BusinessNonprofit organizations and agencies serving business owners. Contact information and description for each follow the index. B

usin

ess

Plan

ning

Educ

atio

n &

Tr

aini

ng

Fina

ncia

l A

ssis

tanc

e

Fina

ncia

l M

anag

emen

t

Gen

eral

M

anag

emen

t

Inte

rnat

iona

l Ex

port

/Impo

rt

Mar

ketin

g &

A

dver

tisin

g

Min

ority

Proc

urem

ent

Star

t-Up

Tech

nolo

gy

Wom

en

Oth

er

AAIM Management Association

American Business Women's Association

American Entrepreneurs for Economic Growth

American Management Association

American Marketing Association

American Society for Training & Development (ASTD)

American Society of Women Accountants

American Success Institute

Association for Corporate Growth

Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO)

Association of Home-Based Women Entrepreneurs

Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP)

ATC Small Business Incubator

Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis

Better Business Bureau

Business Empowerment Center

Business Links - International Institute of St. Louis

Business Marketing Association

Business.Gov

Businesspersons Between Jobs (BBJ)

Center for Emerging Technologies

Center for Entrepreneurship & Outreach

Center for Women's Business Research

Chambers of Commerce

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

Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO)

Environmental Improvement & Energy Resources Authority oEqual Employment Opportunity Commission

ESPW- Encouraging, Supporting, & Promoting Women, Inc.

Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

Export-Import Bank of the United States

Financial Planning Association - Missouri/Southern Illinois

General Services Administration (GSA)

Grace Hill's Women's Business Center

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan St. Louis

Illinois Dept. of Central Management Services

Illinois Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity

Illinois Dept. of Professional Regulation

n

SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide 41Resources Index


usin

ess

Plan

ning

Educ

atio

n &

Tr

aini

ng

Fina

ncia

l A

ssis

tanc

e

Fina

ncia

l M

anag

emen

t

Gen

eral

M

anag

emen

t

Inte

rnat

iona

l Ex

port

/Impo

rt

Mar

ketin

g &

A

dver

tisin

g

Min

ority

Proc

urem

ent

Star

t-Up

Tech

nolo

gy

Wom

en

Oth

er

Illinois Dept. of Transportation

Illinois Dept. of Transportation Small Business Enterprises

Illinois Innovators and Inventors, Inc.

Institute for Supply Management-St. Louis, Inc.

Institute of Management Consultants

Internal Revenue Service

International Association of Business Communicators

International Franchise Association

International Trade and Investment

International Trade Center

Inventors Assistance Center

Inventors Association of St. Louis (IASL)

Japan America Society of St. Louis

Jefferson College

Job Training Programs, Jefferson/Franklin County

Justine Petersen Housing & Reinvestment Corporation

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 Career Center

Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Missouri Dept. of Economic Development

Missouri Dept. of Insurance

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 Dept. of Transportation - External Civil Rights

Missouri Div. of Professional Registration

Missouri Div. of Purchasing & Material Management

Missouri Enterprise

Missouri Forest Products Association

Missouri Merchants & Manufacturers Association

Missouri Office of Supplier and Workforce Diversity

Missouri Secretary of State

Missouri Securities Division

Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants

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 Resources Index


usin

ess

Plan

ning

Educ

atio

n &

Tr

aini

ng

Fina

ncia

l A

ssis

tanc

e

Fina

ncia

l M

anag

emen

t

Gen

eral

M

anag

emen

t

Inte

rnat

iona

l Ex

port

/Impo

rt

Mar

ketin

g &

A

dver

tisin

g

Min

ority

Proc

urem

ent

Star

t-Up

Tech

nolo

gy

Wom

en

Oth

er

MOKAN � � � � � �

Mortgage Bankers Association of St, Louis �

NACM Gateway Region � � � �

National Association for Business Economics � �

National Association of Seed and Venture Funds � �

National Association of the Remodeling Industry � � � � � �

National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) � � � �

National Business Incubation Association (NBIA) � � �

National Federation of Independent Business, Missouri � �

National Federation of Press Women � � �

National Nuclear Security Administration, Kansas City Plant, � � �

National Small Business Association Inc. (NSBA) � � �

National Speakers Association-St. Louis Chapter � � � � �

National Venture Capital Association �

Nidus Center for Scientific Enterprise � � � � �

North County Incorporated � � �

Overseas Private Investment Corp. � �

Press Club of Metropolitan St. Louis � � �

Procurement Technical Assistance Centers - Illinois �

Procurement Technical Assistance Centers - Missouri � � � �

Professional Women's Alliance � � �

Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) �

River Bend Growth Associates � � � � �

RMI (Resources For Missouri, Inc.) � � � � �

Saint Louis University � �

SBDC Illinois and Missouri � � � � � � � � � � � � �

SCORE Association in Illinois and Missouri � � � � � � � � � �

Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council � �

Small Business Administration (SBA) Small Business Development Centers � � � � � � � � � � � � �

Small Business Growth Corporation � � � � �

Society for Technical Communications � � �

Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals � �

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 � �

SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide 43Resources Index


usin

ess

Plan

ning

Educ

atio

n &

Tr

aini

ng

Fina

ncia

l A

ssis

tanc

e

Fina

ncia

l M

anag

emen

t

Gen

eral

M

anag

emen

t

Inte

rnat

iona

l Ex

port

/Impo

rt

Mar

ketin

g &

A

dver

tisin

g

Min

ority

Proc

urem

ent

Star

t-Up

Tech

nolo

gy

Wom

en

Oth

er

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

FIND EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO TAKE YOUR BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL

sbmon.com

THE BEST RESOURCE FOR ST. LOUIS AREA BUSINESS OWNERS

44 SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide Resources Index

Wisper is not for everyone...

Find out why businesses WISPER

GetWisper.com314-754-7402 618-206-4190

AAIM Employers’ Association1600 S. Brentwood Blvd., Ste. 400St. Louis, MO 63144-1307314-968-3600 Fax: [email protected] employers association providing a wide range of high-value business solu-tions improving organizations through recruitment services, organization devel-opment, human resource practices, wage and salary surveys, benefit consulting, merger and acquisition consulting, and outplacement services.

AccuPay APS Payroll ServiceReta Seals400 Chesterfield Ctr. Suite 400Chesterfield, MO 63049(800)[email protected]

For 19 years AccuPay has focused on maintaining excellent client communica-tion! Through our client feedback we have focused our efforts in providing payroll, HR and timekeeping services that present the most value to our cus-tomers. Today we proudly serve several hundred local area businesses that have expanded our reach to over 48 states. We are proud to bea MO based business and will continue to work diligently to maintain the trust and loyalty of our customers for many years to come.

ABackRub Co.com LLCSid Wasserman2388 Schultz Rd, Ste A60St. Louis, MO 63146314-983-9464www.abackrubco.com

Massage and wellness products, great products great price. Oster mas-sager 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.

American Entrepreneurs for Economic Growth1655 N. Fort Myer Dr., Ste. 850Arlington, VA 22209703-524-3743 Fax: [email protected] to uniting innovative, emerging growth businesses across industry lines to promote positive national government action that benefits the investment and en-trepreneurial communities and stimulates economic growth.

American Management Association1601 BroadwayNew York, NY 100191-800-854-4493 Fax: 212-903-8168www.amanet.orgA membership-based management devel-opment organization, AMA offers a full range of business education and manage-ment development programs for indi-viduals and organizations in Europe, the Americas and Asia.

American Marketing Association100 N. Florida Ave.Belleville, IL 62221Fax: [email protected] 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

month, and cover a variety of educational topics from the world of marketing.

American Society for Training & Development (ASTD)1693 S. Hanley RoadSt. Louis, MO 63144314-416-0404 Fax: 314-845-1891www.astdstl.orgServes the professional needs of spe-cialists in training, adult education, and human resource development. Member benefits include: member discounts on monthly programs and special events, ac-cess 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 [email protected] 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 Institute5 N. Main St.Natick, MA 01760508-651-3303 Fax: [email protected] nonprofit educational and philanthropic organization. Mission is to create a worldwide community in which all mem-bers are fully involved participants living and encouraging the expansion of the Ac-tion Principle ideals of self-improvement and service.

46 SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide Resources

Affinity Law Group 755 S. New Ballas Road, Suite 140St. Louis, Mo 63141(314)872-3333 Telephone(314) 872-3365 Facsimilewww.affinitylawgrp.com

Affinity Law Group, LLC provides le-gal 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.

Anthem Blue Cross Blue ShieldStacy O’Neal, Authorized Agent1831 Chestnut St.St. Louis MO [email protected] offers individual health plans for all ages, from newborn to seniors, in addition to life and dental benefits. There are plans for small business own-ers, individuals without group coverage, the self-employed and dependents and students, as well as COBRA alternative plans for those between jobs.

Association for Corporate GrowthP.O. Box 69104St. Louis, MO 63169-0104314.862.6751 Fax: [email protected]/stlouisAssociation for professionals involved in middle-market corporate growth, cor-porate 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 network-ing.

Association of Home-Based Women EntrepreneursP.O. Box 31561St. Louis, MO 63131-1561314-805-9519 [email protected] 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 welcom-ing atmosphere.

Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP)P.O. Box 410291St. Louis, MO 63141John J. Zeman 866-208-2226http://[email protected] national professional organization for information technology (IT) professionals to help them advance their careers and to advance the IT profession as a whole. Of-fers opportunities for IT professionals to network with other fellow IT profession-als, develop leadership skills, and learn about current topics and issues in the IT field.

ATC Small Business Incubator118 N. Second St.St. Charles, MO 63301636-410-0300 Fax: [email protected] 9,000 square-foot incubator facility located in the heart of historic St. Charles provides a professional and supportive en-vironment 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

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.

Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis - Lawyer Referral & Information Service720 Olive, Ste. 2900St. Louis, MO 63101-2308314-621-6681 Fax: [email protected] a referral to a lawyer who prac-tices in the specific area of law required by the caller. Member attorneys are all licensed to practice, are in ‘Good Stand-ing’ with the licensing board, carry profes-sional library insurance, and have agreed to provide a free initial consultation of up to one-half hour. In most practice areas, there is a $30 administrative fee which does not have to be paid up front.

Better Business Bureau, serving Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois15 Sunnen Dr., Ste. 107St. Louis, MO 63143-1400314-645-3300 [email protected] consumer marketplace inqui-ries and complaints about firms’ business practices. Conducts advertising review, investigations and provides consumer tips and warnings. Provides research and training on customer relations.

Business Empowerment Zone100 North Tucker, Ste. 540St. Louis, MO 63101314-241-0002 Fax: 314-241-4099 [email protected] http://www.stlouisezone.orgIn collaboration with area’s economic development, planning and technical as-sistance agencies, the Greater St. Louis Regional Empowerment Zone provides assistance in the areas of research, busi-ness plan development, marketing, loan packaging to existing and new small busi-nesses throughout the region.

Business Marketing Association512 N. WarsonSt. Louis, MO 63141314-995-0022 Fax: [email protected]. Louis chapter of an international orga-nization which provides information and contacts for business marketers. Members are involved in business-to-business com-munications, including business and pro-fessional advertisers, agencies, suppliers and publishers. Meetings held the second Friday of each month.

Businesspersons Between Jobs (BBJ)601 Claymont Dr.Ballwin, MO 63011636-394-1440 Fax: [email protected] of business executives and professionals who find themselves tempo-rarily in a career transition. Reservoir of

SBM 2010-11 Business Owners’ Guide 47Resources

BSW Small Business Services LLC10151 Corporate Square, Ste. 100St. Louis, MO 63132314.894.8529info@bswsmallbusiness.comwww.bswsmallbusiness.comKaren Stern, CPAA full-service accounting firm providing QuickBooks training and installation, bookkeeping, tax and accounting services for companies with revenues ranging from start-up to over $10,000,000.

A xxel

Business Solutions

Axxel Business Solutions Richard Clark, Principal Office: 636-549-3413 Mobile: 949-683-4563

E-mail: [email protected]

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

A xxel

Business Solutions






A xxel

Business Solutions






A xxel

Business Solutions






highly qualified professional talent in all academic disciplines. Helps individuals through the job search process.

Center for Emerging Technologies4041 Forest Park Ave.St. Louis, MO 63108314-615-6900 Fax: [email protected] with startup, early stage and ad-vanced technology companies and with universities to identify technology with commercial potential. Connects technol-ogy entrepreneurs to business, technology and financial resources.

Center for Entrepreneurship & Outreach203 University Center, 300 W. 12th St.Missouri University of Science and Tech-nologyRolla, MO 65409-1110573-341-4690 Fax: [email protected]://ECODEVO.MST.EDUIntegrates the activities of faculty, students and small business clients by encouraging research, graduating well-trained, entre-preneurial students and identifying issues that require public policy attention.

Center for Women’s Business Research1760 Old Meadow Road, Suite 500, McLean, VA 22102703-556-7162 Fax: 703-506-3266 [email protected] premier source of information and sta-tistics on women business owners and their enterprises worldwide. A nonprofit research institute focusing on women entrepreneurs. Supports the growth of women business own-ers and their enterprises through conducting research, sharing information, and increasing knowledge.

Chambers of CommercePromote business and betterment of busi-ness operations in their specific area.

Chambers of Commerce —Affton314-849-6499 www.afftonchamber.com

Chambers of Commerce—Arnold636-296-1910 www.arnoldchamber.org

Chambers of Commerce—Brentwood314-963-9007 www.brentwoodmochamber.com

Chambers of Commerce--Chesterfield636-532-3399 www.chesterfieldmochamber.com

Chambers of Commerce—Clayton314-726-3033 www.claytoncommerce.com

Chambers of Commerce—Collinsville618-344-2884 www.discovercollinsville.com

Chambers of Commerce—Crestwood/Sunset Hills Area Chamber314-843-8545 www.ourchamber.com

Chambers of Commerce—Creve Coeur-Olivette314-569-3536 www.ccochamber.com

Chambers of Commerce—Edwards-ville/Glen Carbon618-656-7600 www.edglenchamber.com

Chambers of Commerce—Eureka636-938-6062 www.eurekachamber.org

Chambers of Commerce—Fenton636-717-0200 www.fentonmochamber.com

Chambers of Commerce—Florissant Valley314-831-3500 www.florissantvalleycc.com

Chambers of Commerce—Greater Bel-leville618-233-2015 www.bellevillechamber.org

Chambers of Commerce—Growth Association of Southwestern IL618-467-2280 www.growthassociation.com

Chambers of Commerce—Highland618-654-3721 www.highlandillinois.com

Chambers of Commerce—Hispanic314-664-4432 www.hccstl.com

Chambers of Commerce—Junior Chamber International (JCI) Metro636-449-3100 www.jci.cc/metro

Chambers of Commerce— Kirkwood-Des Peres314-821-4161 www.kirkwooddesperes.com

Chambers of Commerce— Lake St. Louis/Dardenne Prarie636-699-0045 lsldpchamber.org

Chambers of Commerce—Lemay314-631-2796 www.lemaychamber.com

Chambers of Commerce—Maplewood314-781-8588 maplewood-chamber.com

Chambers of Commerce—Maryland Heights314-576-6603, www.mhcc.com

Chambers of Commerce—North County314-521-6000 www.northcountycc.com

Chambers of Commerce—Northwest314-291-2131 www.northwestchamber.com

Chambers of Commerce—O’Fallon636-240-1818 www.ofallonchamber.org

Chambers of Commerce—O’Fallon, IL618-632-3377 www.ofallonchamber.com

Chambers of Commerce—Richmond Heightswww.richmondheights.org

Chambers of Commerce—South County314-894-6800 www.southcountychamber.net

Chambers of Commerce—Southwest-ern Madison County618-876-6400 www.chamberswmadisoncounty.com

Chambers of Commerce—St. Charles636-946-0633 www.stcharleschamber.org


Chambers of Commerce—St. Louis RCGA314-231-5555 www.stlrcga.org

Chambers of Commerce—St. Peters636-447-3336 www.stpeterschamber.com

Chambers of Commerce—Town & Country/Frontenac 314-469-3335 tcfchamber.com

Chambers of Commerce—Troy Area618-667-8769 www.troycoc.com

Chambers of Commerce—Twin City Area636-931-7697 www.twincity.org

Chambers of Commerce—Union Area636-583-8979 www.unionmochamber.org

Chambers of Commerce—Washington Area636-239-2715 www.washmo.org

Chambers of Commerce—Webster Groves\Shrewsbury314-962-4142 www.webstershrewsburychamber.com

Chambers of Commerce—Wentzville636-327-6914 www.wentzvillechamber.com

Chambers of Commerce—West St. Louis County636-230-9900 www.westcountychamber.com

Commerce, St. Louis U.S. Export Assistance Center8235 Forsyth Blvd., Ste. 520St. Louis, MO 63105314-425-3302 Fax: [email protected]/stlouisThe 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 net-work of trade experts in 165 offices across the U.S. and in 82 countries throughout

the world. Last year, we helped U.S. busi-nesses generate export sales worth more than $23 billion.

Community Service Public Relations Council (CSPRC)1693 South Hanley RoadSt. Louis, MO 63144314-416-2237 Fax: [email protected] 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, communica-tions, development, fund-raising, and the graphic arts in the nonprofit sector.

Computer Consultants of St. Louis314-995-4652 [email protected] 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 Chapter101 S. Hanley Rd., Ste. 700St. Louis, MO 63105314-725-8394, Ext. 265314-725-4317preilly@ipsico.comwww.stlouis.cpcusociety.orgOrganization of insurance professionals whose members have earned the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters designa-tion. Offers free programs to groups and organizations on insurance concerns. Conducts monthly meetings focused on timely risk management topics.

Direct Marketing Association of St. LouisP.O. Box 1005Washington, MO 63090866-516-0121 Fax: [email protected] 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 63101314-436-6500 Fax: [email protected] 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 Commu-nity Improvement District that provides funding to implement services that make downtown clean, safe and inviting.

East Central College1964 Prairie Dell Rd.Union, MO 63084636-583-5193 Fax: [email protected] community college. Courses include topics on general management, account-ing, startups, marketing/advertising, pro-curement/purchasing, business planning, and financial and industrial management.

Economic Development Center of St. Charles County5988 Mid Rivers Mall Dr. , Ste. 100St. Charles, MO 63304636-441-6880 Fax: [email protected] 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 Develop-ment Authority’s revenue bond program, is a Certified Development Corporation for SBA 504 Loans and maintains a satel-lite office for the Missouri Small Business Development Center. The 60,000-square-foot 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 competi-tive rates are available and other provided services include front desk staff, shared office equipment, conference rooms and loading docks.


Economic Development Corporation of Jefferson CountyP.O. Box 6235217 Hwy. BHillsboro, MO 63050636-797-5336 Fax: [email protected] www.jeffcountymo.orgProvides financial and other assistance to companies located in and interested in locating in Jefferson County. Also see ‘Programs for Small Business Lending.’

Employee Benefits Association2839 Victor 2nd. FloorSt. Louis, MO 63104314-647-1000 Fax: 314.771.6965 www.ebastl.orgOrganizations that join EBA are private employers, associations, not-for-profit, public employers and providers of em-ployee benefit services and products.

Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO)9387 Dielman Ind. Drive, Ste. 100St. Louis, MO 63132314-692-7575 [email protected] 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 CommissionRobert A. Young Bldg.1222 Spruce, Rm 8.100St. Louis, MO 63103800-669-4000 Fax: [email protected] agency charged with enforcing employment laws regarding race, sex, color, natural origin, religion, age or dis-ability. Laws include: Title VII of Civil Rights of 1964, as amended, Age Discrim-ination in Employment Act, Equal Pay Act, and the American Disabilities Act.

ESPW- Encouraging, Supporting, & Promoting Women, Inc.P.O. Box 38Cottleville, MO 63338314-995-5094 [email protected] professional women’s organization with chapters in St. Charles, St. Louis and South-western Illinois whose mission is to give

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 States811 Vermont Ave., NWWashington, DC 20571800-565-3946 Fax: [email protected] the export of U.S. goods and services. Provides both short- and long-term 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 IllinoisP.O. Box 410384St. Louis, MO 63141314-997-3390 Fax: [email protected] 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 Berry314.435 2803636.561 [email protected] 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 Center2324 N. Florissant Ave.St. Louis, MO 63106314-584-6840 Fax: [email protected] 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.

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan St. Louis3611 South Grand Blvd., Ste. 105St. Louis, MO 63118 314-664-4432 [email protected] www.hccstl.comProvides networking opportunities. Works to strengthen the community by providing and generating services which will foster the business interests and amplify the pres-ence of the Hispanic entrepreneur.

Illinois Dept. of Central Management Services207 State HouseSpringfield, IL 62706-4100217-782-0244 Fax: 217-558-1759www.sell2.illinois.govBusinesses wishing to do business with the state are encouraged to apply for qualifica-tion as an approved vendor and to bid on the items they can supply.

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.


Illinois Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity620 E. AdamsSpringfield, IL 62701800-875-6055 www.illinoisbiz.bizInformation on starting and running a business in Illinois, loans, business re-quirements, assistance programs and more.

Illinois Dept. of Professional Regulation320 West Washington St. Springfield, IL 62786217-785-0800 Fax: 217-782-3414www.ildpr.comMain licensing agency for most profes-sions.

Illinois Dept. of Transportation2300 S. Dirksen ParkwaySpringfield, IL 62764217-782-7820 www.dot.il.govIDOT contracting opportunities include statewide highway, bridge, road and air-port construction-related services, profes-sional consultant services, material supply, equipment rental and trucking services. The Bureau of Small Business Enterprises is responsible for administering the Disad-vantaged Business Enterprise program.

Illinois Dept. of Transportation Small Business Enterprises217-785-5947 www.dot.il.gov/sbe/ssassistance.htmlProvides assistance to disadvantaged busi-ness enterprises in the areas of manage-ment, 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 certifica-tion with the State of Illinois.

Illinois Innovators and Inventors, Inc.P.O. Box 623Edwardsville, IL [email protected]://ilinventor.tripod.com/An independent not-for-profit organization developed for Illinois and St. Louis area inventors for the purpose of encourag-ing the interchange of useful information among inventors.

Institute for Supply Management- St. Louis, Inc.P.O. Box 31673

St. Louis, MO 63131314-646-7442 Fax: [email protected] professional association of individu-als 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 informa-tion.

Institute of Management Consultants410 N. Fourth St.St. Louis, MO 63102314-241-5665 Fax: [email protected] professional organization that provides certification, education, network-ing opportunities, and referrals.

Internal Revenue Service1122 Town & Country Commons Dr.Chesterfield, MO 63017314-612-4002 www.irs.govSponsors 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. Louis4728 Hedgemont Dr.St. Louis, MO 63128314-416-2260 Fax: [email protected] meetings provide a forum for members to learn more about communi-cation trends and issues, as well as meet fellow communicators. Members include public relations and business communica-tors, graphic designers, etc.

International Trade and Investment301 W. High St., Rm. 720P. O. Box 118Jefferson City, MO 65102866-647-3633 [email protected]/busi-

ness%20solutions.aspxAssists 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 you’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 CenterBox 1107, SIU EdwardsvilleEdwardsville, IL 62026618-650-2452 Fax: [email protected]/ITCLocated at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, helps businesses meet the challenges of global economy and interna-tional trade.

Inventors Assistance CenterP.O. Box 1450Alexandria, Va 22313-1450800-786-9199 www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/dapp/pacmain.htmlProvides patent information and services to the public. The IAC is staffed by former Supervisory Patent Examiners and experi-enced Primary Examiners who answer gen-eral questions concerning patent examining policy and procedure.

Inventors Association of St. Louis (IASL)P.O. Box 410111St. Louis, MO 63141314-432-1291 [email protected]/resource_pages/42646.htmlMeets monthly. Features speakers and discussions on topics of interest to inven-tors and idea people. Proper Inventive Procedure is disclosed and discussed. A Patent Attorney or Patent Agent is in at-tendance. 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. Louis366 Social Sciences and Business Build-ing One University Blvd.St. Louis, MO 63121-4400


314-516-5754 Fax: [email protected]://www.us-japan.org/jasstlPresents current U.S.-Japanese issues and provides networking opportunities be-tween American and Japanese businesses. Offers several additional services for Japa-nese and American companies wanting to do business overseas.

Jefferson College1000 Viking Dr.Hillsboro, MO 63050636-797-3000 Fax: [email protected] Business and Technology Center (BTC) provides customized business/industry services including training, seminars, economic development and training grants. Specializes in manage-ment, professional development, computer training, office skills, small business, retail and technical training.

Justine Petersen Housing & Reinvestment Corporation1023 North Grand Blvd.St. Louis, MO 63106314-533-2411 Fax: 314-533-2299ggondolfi@justinepetersen.orgwww.justinepetersen.orgOriginates micro-enterprise loans up to $35,000 through its U.S. Small Business Administration Micro-Loan Intermediary Program. Also, counselors assist potential and current business owners to prepare and present financial statements, manage cash flow, and develop a business and a marketing plan. Also have an office in East St. Louis, IL.

Lambert St. Louis International Airport, DBE ProgramP.O. Box 10212St. Louis, MO 63145314-426-8111 [email protected] quarterly certification work-shops; conducts quarterly workshops on doing business with the Airport; publishes monthly directory of certified DBEs (disadvantaged business enterprise); holds meetings and seminars; conducts an-nual conference and trade fair; provides resource referral services.

Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois

200 University Park Dr., Ste. 240Edwardsville, IL 62025618-692-9745 Fax: [email protected] broad-based economic development corporation representing Southwestern Illinois.

Lindenwood University209 S. KingshighwaySt. Charles, MO 63301636-949-4832 Fax: [email protected] undergraduate and graduate programs in a variety of business empha-sis, including business administration, marketing, human resource management and health management. Courses range from entrepreneurship to small-business management to business communication.

Maryville University Adult Undergraduate and Graduate Studies650 Maryville University Dr.St. Louis, MO 63141314-529-9334 Fax: [email protected], workshops, seminars, conferenc-es. Wide range of topics and educational services for businesses and corporations--from individual training sessions in man-agement, supervision and practical skills to on-site courses bearing academic credit.

Lexx Funding, Inc.Joy Ann Venverloh, Pres.636 458 2612Fax 636 787 [email protected] www.lexxfunding.com

Lexx Funding solves cash flow prob-lems of small to mid-sized companies. Through our Purchase Order Funding and our Accounts Receivable pro-gram, we convert your small invoices and government contracts into imme-diate cash to increase working capital, improve profits, and promote growth. We are extremely flexible to your company’s individual financial needs. We keep your money working for you.

Mid-America Trade Adjustment Assistance Center664 Southeast Bayberry Ln., Ste. 101Lee’s Summit, MO 64063816-246-1555/800-551-8222 [email protected] domestic manufacturers hurt by import competition in two ways: con-ducts 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. LouisP.O. Box 410423St. Louis, MO 63141314-621-5005 Fax: 314-621-5006www.midtec.orgProvides 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 Centerwww.missouricareersource.comFunded 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 Ca-reer 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 prepara-tion, skills testing and more. (Toll free call) 1-800-877-8698 (website) www.greathires.org.

Missouri Career Center - Deer Creek3256 Laclede Station RoadMaplewood, Mo 63143314-877-0001

Missouri Career Center - Jefferson County3675 West Outer RdArnold, Mo 63010636-287-8909 Fax: 636-287-8932www.greathires.orgSee description in Missouri Career Center main file.


Bank Said NO?

We Can Help!

Local funder • Quick advances on invoices Timely rebates • No up-front or hidden fees No volume commitments

Call Joy Ann [email protected]

• Improve cash fl ow• Increase profi ts• Promote growth

Missouri Career Center - Met Center6347 Plymouth Ave.St. Louis, Mo 63133314-746-0700 www.greathires.org

Missouri Career Center—North County Service Center4040 Seven Hills Dr., Suite 166Florissant, MO 63033314-877-3010 www.greathires.org

Missouri Career Center—South County7545 S. Lindbergh Blvd., Ste 140St. Louis, Mo 63125314-416-2917 www.greathires.org

Missouri Career Center—St. Louis City1017 Olive St.St. Louis, Mo 63101314-589-8000 Fax: 314-231-7923www.greathires.orgSee description in Missouri Career Center main file.

Missouri Career Center—St. Louis County26 B North OaksSt. Louis, Mo 63121314-381-6700 Fax: 314-381-7247www.greathires.org

Missouri Career Center-St. Charles County212 Turner Blvd.St. Peters, MO 63376-1079636-278-1360 Fax: [email protected]

Missouri Career Center-St. Louis Central4811 Delmar BlvdSt. Louis, MO 63108314-877-0916 Fax: 314-877-0931www.greathires.org

Missouri Chamber of Commerce and IndustryP.O. Box 149428 E. Capitol Ave.Jefferson City, MO 65102573-634-3511 Fax: [email protected] purpose is to preserve a positive business climate in Missouri: lobbying for

organized business in the Missouri Gen-eral Assembly; innovative health insurance product; self-insured workers compensa-tion insurance fund; compliance seminars; leadership development through ‘Leader-ship Missouri’ program; online legislative service; economic education programs.

Missouri Dept. of Economic DevelopmentP.O. Box 1157301 W. High St.Jefferson City, MO 65102-0118573-751-9065 Fax: [email protected] 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 RegistrationP.O. Box 690301 W. High St. Room 530Jefferson City, MO 65102-0690573-751-1927 Fax: 573-751-1165www.difp.mo.govRegulates 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 Relations421 East Dunklin St.P.O. Box 504Jefferson City, MO 65104573-751-9691 Fax: [email protected] economic security, safe and healthy workplaces, as well as protect wage earners and individuals against discrimination by improving working con-ditions, enforcing labor and anti-discrimi-nation laws and helping those unemployed or injured on the job.

Missouri Dept. of Natural Resources, Division of Environmental QualityP.O. Box 176Jefferson City, MO 65102

800-361-4827 Fax: [email protected]/env/apcp/smbus.htmThe Department of Natural Resources pro-vides compliance assistance with environ-mental laws and regulations.

Missouri Dept. of Natural Resources, Energy CenterP.O. Box 176Jefferson City, MO 65102573-751-2254 Fax: [email protected]/energyA nonregulatory state agency that works to protect the environment and stimulate the economy through energy efficiency and re-newable 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 & Collection301 West High St., Rm 330Jefferson City, MO 65101573-751-4450 [email protected]/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 Rela-tions, Division of Employment Security has established online registration to help get businesses started.

Missouri Dept. of Transportation - Division of Motor Carrier ServicesP.O. Box 893Jefferson City, MO 651021-866-831-6277 [email protected]/mcs/Information is provided to startup busi-nesses 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 require-ments of the state and federal transporta-tion regulations.


Missouri Dept. of Transportation - Office of External Civil Rights (ECR)105 W. Capitol Ave.Jefferson City, MO 651021-888-275-6636 [email protected] 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 RegistrationP.O. Box 1335Jefferson City, MO 65102573-751-0293 [email protected] qualified professionals by examination and evaluation of minimum competency; enforces standards by implementing legislation and administra-tive rules; encourages economic develop-ment by being partners with existing small businesses.

Missouri Enterprise3751 Pennridge Dr., Ste. 101St. Louis, MO 63044800-956-2682 Fax: 314-291-2525hzinn@missourienterprise.orgwww.missourienterprise.orgMissouri Enterprise is an organization of skilled manufacturing and business man-agement professionals who help compa-nies 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 posi-tion...their foreign and domestic compe-tition...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 ProgramP.O. Box 744325 Jefferson St., 2nd FloorJefferson City, MO 65102573-751-4919 www.dnr.mo.gov/eiera/[email protected] program offers financial incen-

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 Association16100 Chesterfield Pkwy. W., Ste. 210Chesterfield, MO 63017-4817636-537-1360 Fax: [email protected] on behalf of employers spe-cializing 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 semi-nars, etc. on topics important to employ-ers; offering cost-saving benefits.

Missouri Office of Supplier and Work-force DiversityP.O. Box 809Jefferson City, MO 65102877-259-2963 Fax: [email protected] special assistance for minor-ity business enterprises (51% minority-owned) and women business enterprises (51% women-owned) that are certified to compete in the State of Missouri’s procurement process. The program of-fers a statewide certification program for companies owned, controlled and man-aged by minorities or women. Assistance includes registration application and pro-cedures, procurement-related workshops and seminars, cost-free directory listing, and referral source for other procurement opportunities. The program provides assis-tance 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 State600 West Main StreetJefferson City, MO 65101573-751-4153 Fax: [email protected] for collecting, compiling, storing and publishing a variety of state documents including: registered busi-ness names, corporate annual reports. Is responsible for the registration of all Missouri and out-of-state business entities

doing business in Missouri.

Missouri Securities DivisionSecretary of State’s Office600 W. Main St., 2nd Fl.Jefferson City, MO 65101573-751-4704 [email protected] on raising capital in Missouri.

Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants540 Maryville Center Dr., Ste. 200St. Louis, MO 63141314-997-7966 Fax: [email protected] professional development association dedicated to providing education, net-working and advocacy to nearly 10,000 CPA members in Missouri.

Missouri Treasurer’s OfficeP.O. Box 210Jefferson City, MO 65102573-751-8533 Fax: 573-751-0343www.treasurer.mo.govThe 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 CenterUniversity of Missouri-Columbia, Dept. of Ag. Econ.143 Mumford HallColumbia, MO 65211573-884-1756 Fax: 573-884-6572valueadded@missouri.eduwww.valueadded.missouri.eduProvides extension educators decision sup-port tools with which to assist agriculture producers in the formation and operation of collective entrepreneurship businesses.

Missouri Venture Forum314-241-2683 info@missouriventureforum.orgwww.MissouriVentureForum.orgProvides a means for investors, entre-preneurs 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.


Missouri Women’s CouncilP.O. Box 1684Jefferson City, MO 65102573-751-0810/877-426-9284 [email protected] mission of the council is to promote and increase women’s economic and em-ployment 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 employ-ment; 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 initi-ate programs to assist women in small business enterprises; to assure access of women to nontraditional skilled trades through greater participation in appren-ticeship 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 op-portunities; displaced homemakers; credit; federal and state affecting the rights and responsibilities of women; and women-owned business enterprises.

MoFAST SBIR/STTR Assistance Center100 N. Tucker, Ste. 530St. Louis, MO 63101314-241-1511 [email protected] assistance to small businesses in preparing business plans and winning SBIR/STTR grants.

MOKAN5261 Delmar, Ste. BSt. Louis, MO 63108314-454-9675 Fax: 314-361-9806 [email protected] assistance and support for MBE and WBE firms.

National Association of Seed and Venture Funds28 E. Jackson Blvd, Ste. 1700Chicago, IL 60604-2214312-423-4545 [email protected] network of private, public and non-prof-it organizations investing and facilitating investment in entrepreneurs.

National Association of the Remodeling Industry of Greater St. LouisP.O. Box 366Chesterfield, MO 63006636-207-9690 Fax: [email protected]/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 profes-sional remodeling contractors.

National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) - Greater St. Louis ChapterP.O. Box 6925St. Louis, MO [email protected]

Money Mailer ofCentral St. Louis www.moneymailer.com/stl1-800-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 cus-tomers 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!

A membership organization whose mis-sion is to provide information and promote collaborative relationships that help com-mitted women business owners create and continue business success. Activities focus on providing opportunities for profes-sional 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. #37198Athens, OH 45701-3571740-593-4331 Fax: [email protected] primarily of incubator develop-ers and managers, but technology com-mercialization specialists, educators and business assistance professionals are also well represented. Mission is to provide training and a clearinghouse for informa-tion on incubator management and devel-opment issues and on tools for assisting startup and fledgling firms.

National Federation of Independent Business, Missouri308 E. High St., Ste. 110Jefferson City, MO 65101573-634-7660 Fax: [email protected] small and independent busi-nesses 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 [email protected] of professional journalists and communicators that promotes the highest ethical standards while looking toward the future in professional develop-ment, networking, and protecting our First Amendment rights.

National Small Business Association Inc. (NSBA)1156 15th St., N.W., Ste. 1100Washington, DC 20005


800-345-6728 Fax: [email protected] more than 150,000 small-busi-ness 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. Louis206 OxfordFairview Heights, IL 62208618-397-3207 [email protected] organization dedicated to advancing the business and platform skills of the professional speaker.

National Venture Capital Association1655 N. Fort Myer Dr. , Ste. 850Arlington, Va 22209703-524-2549 [email protected] 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 Enterprise1005 N. Warson Rd., Ste. 201St. Louis, MO 63132314-812-8003 Fax: 314-812-8080robert.j.calcaterra@niduscenter.comwww.niduscenter.comA 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 Incorporated350B Village Square Dr.Hazelwood, MO 63042314-895-6241 Fax: [email protected] regional development organization, which acts as a catalyst to define and ad-vocate economic and community develop-ment for North St. Louis County.

Overseas Private Investment Corp.1100 New York Ave., NWWashington, DC 20527202-336-8400 Fax: [email protected] financing for firms from $100,000 to $250 million (and sometimes smaller). In addition to financing, agency’s ser-vices include risk insurance and currency conversion.

Press Club of Metropolitan St. LouisP.O. Box 410522Creve Couer, MO 63141636-230-1973 Fax: 636-207-2441info@stlpressclub.orgwww.stlpressclub.orgProfessional 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 - Illinois620 E. Adams St.Springfield, Il 62701217-557-7808 Fax: 217-524-0171www.aptac-us.orgAssist existing business owners in doing business with federal, state, and lo-cal 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 Cen-ters - Missouri (MO PTAC)100 North Tucker, Ste. 530St. Louis, Mo 63101314-621-3888 Fax: [email protected]://www.missouribusiness.net/ptac or www.moptac.netAssists businesses, including small, dis-

advantaged and women-owned firms, in obtaining federal, state and local govern-ment contracts.

Professional Women’s Alliance12520 Olive Blvd., Ste. 119St Louis, MO 63141314-991-6144 www.stlpwa.orgOrganization dedicated to serving the interests of women executives in the St. Louis area through education and networking. Affiliate of the National As-sociation for Female Executives.

Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)405 Maple Leaf Ct.Manchester, MO 63021636-256-3090 Fax: [email protected]. Louis Chapter of the national orga-nization of public relations profession-als. Meetings and seminars are open and feature a variety of topics and speakers of interest.

RMI (Resources For Missouri, Inc.)3324 Emerald LaneJefferson City, MO 65109800-234-4971 Fax: [email protected] 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 UniversityCenter for Entrepreneurship3674 Lindell Blvd.St. Louis, MO 63108314-977-3864 Fax: [email protected] degree courses, seminars and conferences on entrepreneurship to the general public. Assists family businesses through the Family Firm Forum.

SBDC Illinois and MissouriAll SBDCs provide individualized counseling and organized educational opportunities for owners, managers and employees of small businesses. Assis-tance is available in the areas of access to


capital, financial analysis, marketing, busi-ness planning, strategic planning, human resources, technology transfer, product development, and more.

SBDC-CarbondaleDunn-Richmond Economic Development Center150 E. Pleasant Hill Rd.Carbondale, IL 62901618-536-2424 Fax: [email protected]/~sbdc

SBDC-East St. Louis601 J.R. Thompson Drive, Room 2090East St. Louis, IL 62201618-482-8330 [email protected]/BUSINESS/sbdc

SBDC-EdwardsvilleSIU Edwardsville-Alumni Hall 2126Edwardsville, IL 62026-1107618-650-2929 Fax: [email protected]/businesss/sbdc

SBDC-Empowerment Zone100 N. Tucker, Ste. 530St. Louis, MO 63101314-241-0002 Fax: [email protected]

SBDC-Government Procurement Assistance--Illinois301 Oak Street, Room 2-27Quincy, Il 62301217-223-5636 Fax: 217-223-5672

SBDC-Kaskaskia College325 S. PoplarCentralia, IL 62801618-545-3262 Fax: [email protected]

SBDC-Olney IllinoisEastern Community Colleges218 E. Main StreetOnley, IL 62450618-395-3011 Fax: [email protected]

SBDC-Procurement Technical Assis-tance Center-Missouri100 N. Tucker, Ste. 530St. Louis, Mo 63101

314-621-7280 Fax: 314-621-9871www.missouribusiness.net

SBDC-Rend Lake Community College468 N. Ken Gray ParkwayIna, IL 62846 800-369-5321 Fax: 618-437-5677 [email protected]

SBDC-Satelitte Business Information CenterSoutheast Missouri State UniversityOne University Plaza, MS 5925Cape Girardeau, Mo 63701573-986-6084 Fax: [email protected]/sesbdc/homepage.html

SBDC-SBIR Assistance Center315 Lemay Ferry Rd., Ste. 103St. Louis, Mo 63125314-631-5509 Fax: [email protected]

SBDC-St. Charles County Extension Center260 Brown Rd.St. Peters, MO 63376636-970-3000 [email protected]

SBDC-St. Charles Economic Development Center5988 Mid Rivers Mall Dr.St. Charles, Mo 63304636-928-7714 Fax: 636-441-6881rmueller@edcstcharlescounty.comwww.missouribusiness.net

SBDC-St. Louis County Enterprise Center315 Lemay Ferry Rd.St. Louis, MO 63125314-631-5374 Fax: [email protected]

SBDC-St. Louis County Extension Center121 S. Meramec, Ste. 501Clayton, Mo 63105314-615-7610 Fax: [email protected]

SCORE Association in Illinois and Missouriwww.SCORE.orgProvides 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 Busi-ness,’ for a nominal fee. Clients served are those planning or aspiring to go into busi-ness; those already in business, but having problems; and those wishing to expand.

SCORE- Alton/Godfrey5800 Godfrey Rd., Alden HallGodfrey, IL 62035-2466618-467-2280 Fax: [email protected]

SCORE- Belleville216 East A StreetBelleville, Il 62220618-233-2015 Fax: [email protected]/score

SCORE- Hispanic Chamber3611 South Grand Blvd., Ste. 105St. Louis, MO 63118 314-664-4432 www.stlscore.org

SCORE- St. Charles County5988 Mid Rivers Mall Dr.St. Charles, MO 63304636-447-5000 www.stlscore.org

SCORE- St. Louis200 N. BroadwaySt. Louis, MO 63102314-539-6600 Fax: [email protected]

SCORE- Veterans Business Resouce Center4236 Lindell Blvd, Ste. 102St. Louis, Mo 63108314-531-8387

SCORE-Illinois Centre3000 W. DeYoung StreetIllinois Centre MallMarion, Il 62959618-969-9440 Fax: 618-453-5040www.wilscore.org


Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council2944 Hunter Mill Rd., Ste. 204Oakton, VA 22124703-242-5840 Fax: [email protected] national, nonprofit, nonpartisan advo-cacy 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 Center-Satelitte Business Information CenterSoutheast Missouri State UniversityOne University Plaza, MS 5925Cape Girardeau, MO 63701573-986-6084 Fax: [email protected]/sesbdc/homepage.html

Small Business Growth CorporationTwo City Place Dr., Ste. 200St. Louis, MO 63141314-292-9531 Fax: 314-667-3868 [email protected] 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.

Simply Successful LLCBill Prenatt636-484-0208simplysuccessful-llc.com

Simply Successful LLC helps small business owners increase sales through improved processes and communica-tion. Specializing in low cost and no cost growth solutions for entrepreneurs and family owned businesses, Bill Pre-natt offers decades of expertise to help you grow.

Society for Technical Communications9401 Lee Highway, Ste. 300Fairfax, Virginia 22031703-522-4114 Fax: [email protected] association of technical com-municators. Membership offers oppor-tunities for continuous self-improvement and for contact with other communication professionals. Membership open to any-one interested in writing and communica-tions.

Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals - St. Louis Chapter314-576-4137 Fax: [email protected] largest association of professionals concerned with organizational competi-tiveness. Members work to further the art and practice of legal and ethical collection and analysis of information that positively affects executive decision-making. Spon-sors educational programs throughout the year, and an international conference held each spring in North America. Local chapters throughout the American conti-nent, Europe, Scandinavia, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals in Groupcast, LLC1700 GilginnSt. Louis, MO 63026636-660-8026 www.socap.orgAn 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 profes-sion.

Southern Illinois Entrepreneurship Center150 E. Pleasant Hill RoadCarbondale, Il 62903618-453-3805 Fax: 618-453-5040 [email protected] regional hub for coordinating entrepre-neurship 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 entrepre-neurs 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 CenterSIU Edwardsville-Alumin Hall 2126Edwardsville, Il 62026-1107618-650-2166 Fax: [email protected]://www.siue.edu/BUSINESS/sbdc/SWIEC promotes the development of high-growth businesses to enhance the business climate of the Southwestern Il-linois Region. SWIEC business services include assessment of business operations, assessment of business needs, advanced financial assistance, coaching for prospec-tive investors, events and training semi-nars, and more.

SSDN 2930 Iowa Ave., St. Louis, MO 63118314-865-0322 Fax: [email protected] incubator and Economic Develop-ment Center (EDC) supports the growth and development of existing businesses, the development of neighborhood entre-preneurs 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 adminis-ters the Individual Development Account (IDA) savings plan.

St. Charles City - County Library, Spencer RoadBusiness and Public Management Services427 Spencer Rd.St. Peters, MO 63376636-441-0794, ext. 1444 [email protected] research and marketing assis-tance to both startups and existing busi-nesses and nonprofits of any size.


St. Charles City - Department of Economic Development200 N. 2nd St., Ste. 300St. Charles, MO 63301636-949-3231 Fax: 636-949-3267nadine.boon@stcharlescity.comwww.stcharlescity.comOver 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 expan-sion of $150 million; new town is building 6000 new homes. St. Charles has a place for you!

St. Charles Community College, Workforce Development4601 Mid Rivers Mall Dr.Cottleville, MO 63376636-922-8474 Fax: [email protected] a wide variety of customized train-ing programs and performance improve-ment 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 Govern-ment Workforce Development212 Turner Blvd.St. Peters, MO 63376636-278-1360 Fax: [email protected] employment and training pro-grams. Implements workforce training programs for adults, youths, and laid-off workers. Specialized, customized work force training services for employees.

St. Louis Black Leadership Roundtable415 DeBaliviereSt. Louis, MO 63112314-367-8822 Fax: 314-367-9865edavis@sbcglobal.netwww.blackleadershiproundtable.orgThe Center for the Acceleration of African-American Businesses (Center), an initiative of the Roundtable, is to provide resources to support the growth and devel-opment of businesses owned by African-Americans by infusing volunteer mentors

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 sup-port 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 InitiativeOne Metropolitan Sq., Ste. 1300St. Louis, MO 63102314-444-1121 Fax: [email protected] 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 employ-ers and to connect minority suppliers to purchasers.

St. Louis City Library1301 Olive St.St. Louis, MO 63103314-241-2288 Fax: [email protected] updated information free of charge. Reference tools include a num-ber of business directories, company and stock reports, investors’ guides, books on writing business plans, CDR sources and investment analysis reports. The Busi-ness, Science and Technology Department resources include copies of U.S. Patents, and library personnel will help initiate pat-ent searches.

St. Louis Coaches314-351-6812 [email protected]. Louis Coaches is a nonprofit organiza-tion 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. BroadwaySt. Louis, MO 63102

314-539-5311 Fax: [email protected] an array of performance im-provement services to business and industry. Services include: front end analysis; assessment and evaluation; tech-nical, 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 con-ducted on-site or at our facilities.

St. Louis Community College, Continuing Education11333 Big Bend Rd.St. Louis, MO 63122314-984-7777 Fax: [email protected] 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 work-shops. Award winning Women Entre-preneurship Training offers strategies for women entrepreneurs during the business planning and startup process. Manage-ment certification programs in cooperation with the AMA.

St. Louis Community College, Emerson Center for Engineering & Manufacturing3400 Pershall RoadSt. Louis, MO 63135314-513-4200 Fax: [email protected]/fvEducation and training.

St. Louis County Economic Council (SLCEC)121 S. Meramec Ave., Ste. 900St. Louis, MO 63105314-615-7617 [email protected] 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. Over-sees several local and regional programs, including World Trade Center Saint Louis, special financing for businesses and St. Louis Enterprise Centers (small-business


incubators). Clients include businesses wanting to startup, expand or relocate in St. Louis County.

St. Louis County Library HeadquartersReference Department1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd.St. Louis, MO 63131314-994-3300 Fax: [email protected] resources on business, includ-ing specific titles for the small-business community. Formats include book, video, electronic databases, periodicals, news-paper and newsletters, microfilm and microfiche. General types of business resources include directories, handbooks, encyclopedias, dictionaries and govern-ment documents.

St. Louis County Planning Department41 South Central Ave., 5th Fl.Clayton, MO 63105314-615-2520 Fax: [email protected]/planProvides economic, demographic and land development information for the county.

St. Louis Development Corp.1015 Locust St., Ste. 1200St. Louis, MO 63101314-622-3400 Fax: [email protected]://stlouis.missouri.orgOffers programs and services to the small-business owner, including technical and financial assistance for expansion, reloca-tion, renovation, acquisition and startup as well as land assembly/site prepara-tion. 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 CenterCity Hall, Room 421Tucker & Market StreetsSt. Louis, MO 63103314-622-4120 Fax: [email protected]://stlouis.missouri.org/sldc/bacA ‘One-Stop Shop’ and assistance for new or expanding businesses for occupancy permits and licenses required to do busi-ness in the City of St. Louis.

St. Louis Enterprise Centerswww.stlenterprisecenters.comAs 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 sup-port 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; con-nections to capital and financial sources; valuable networking and training oppor-tunities. 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 compa-nies and communities through business development, financing programs, real estate and community development pro-grams, and international expertise through the World Trade Center Saint Louis.

St. Louis Enterprise Centers-Midtown3830 Washington Ave.St. Louis, MO 63108314-534-1818 Fax: 314-534-1883www.slcec.com

St. Louis Enterprise Centers-South County315 Lemay Ferry Rd.St. Louis, MO 63125314-638-5858 Fax: 314-638-7979www.slcec.com

St. Louis Enterprise Centers-Wellston6439 PlymouthSt. Louis, Mo 63133314-727-6132 Fax: 314-863-0146www.slcec.com

St. Louis Enterprise Centers-West County743 Spirit 40 Park Dr.Chesterfield, MO 63005636-519-4710 Fax: [email protected]

St. Louis Graphic Arts & Communications Association51 Lake Rd.

Labadie, MO 63055636-451-0907 Fax: [email protected]://web.mac.com/stlgacDedicated to ‘Sharing Knowledge’ in the Graphic Arts and Electronic Communica-tions Industries.

St. Louis Minority Business Council (SLMBC)308 N. 21st St., Ste. 700St. Louis, MO 63103314-241-1143 Fax: [email protected] the corporate purchasing community with the minority business community. Promotes the use of minority entrepre-neurs, assists minority businesses in ob-taining access to capital and provides in-formation 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 pro-gram, 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 AssociationPO Box 410182Creve Coeur, MO 63141314-205-2679president@stlouispublishers.orgwww.stlouispublishers.orgA nonprofit organization of authors and publishers. Affiliate of the Publishers Marketing Association (PMA) and a partner of the Small Publishers Associa-tion of North America (SPAN). Mission is to help members publish quality products

St. Louis Group Business Brokers314-842-7171Saintlouisgroup.com

Buy or Sell a BusinessCall today to learn what makes us St. Louis’ most successful business broker-age.

Buy or Sell a BusinessCall today to learn what makes us St. Louis’

most successful business brokerage.

SINCE 1976

314-842-7171saintlouisgroup.com


and market them effectively.

St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association (RCGA)One Metropolitan Square, Ste. 1300St. Louis, MO 63102314-231-5555 Fax: [email protected] as the region’s chamber of commerce and economic development organization, promotes the growth and advancement of businesses and busi-ness ventures throughout the 16-county region. Offers networking opportunities, site-selection assistance and awareness of legislative issues that target entrepreneurs.

St. Louis Small Business Monthly2451 Executive Dr., Suite 109St. Charles, MO 63303314-569-0076 Fax: 314-432-7016info@SBMon.comwww.SBMon.comwww.stlouisbusinessexpo.comhttp://directory.sbmon.comThe monthly publication, now 21 years old, is the source of information for busi-ness owners in the Metro St. Louis area. It features informative, educational how-to articles; spotlights entrepreneurs, and of-fers 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 ex-hibit product/services and meet potential customers one-on-one.

St. Louis Volunteer Lawyers & Accountants for the Arts6128 DelmarSt. Louis, MO 63112314-863-6930 Fax: [email protected] service that provides free legal and accounting assistance to income-eligible individual artists and small arts organizations. Also provides informa-tion 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 District7525 Sussex Ave.St. Louis, MO 63143314-645-6753 Fax: [email protected] inter-governmental organization

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.

Technology Entrepreneur Center210 N. Tucker, Ste. 600St. Louis, MO 63101314-333-0409 www.tec-stl.org A high tech incubator located in down-town St. Louis that supports the growth of startups by providing business mentoring, education and networking opportunities, affordable office space and administrative services.

Toastmasters International23182 Arroyo Vista RanchoRancho Santa Margari, CA 92688949-835-1300 Fax: 949-858-1207www.toastmasters.orgLearn by speaking to groups and working with others in a supportive environment. Find your local club by visiting toastmas-ters.org and clicking ‘Find A Club.’

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 commu-nications services for a diverse range of clients, with expertise in identity development, corporate communica-tions, 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.

Trade Information CenterU.S. Dept. of Commerce1401 Constitution Ave., NW, R-TIC StopWashington, DC 20230800-872-8723 Fax: [email protected]://export.gov/ticInformation on federal export assistance programs. Sponsored by the U.S. Depart-ment of Commerce International Trade Administration.

U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training AdministrationOffice of Apprenticeship1222 Spruce Street, Rm 9.102ESt. Louis, MO 63103314-539-2522, Ext. 4 Fax: [email protected] federal agency responsible for the administration of the National Appren-ticeship 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 employ-ment service programs, and unemploy-ment insurance benefits. These services are primarily provided through state and local workforce development systems.

U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC)8235 Forsyth Blvd., Ste. 520St. Louis, MO 63105314-425-3304 Fax: [email protected]

TOKY Branding and Design314-534-2000www.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.


www.sba.gov/oit/export5A one-stop shop for export marketing and trade finance assistance for small- to medium-sized businesses. Organizations located at the USEAC include: U.S. De-partment of Commerce, U.S. Small Busi-ness 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 gener-ated by your overseas orders.

U.S. Patent and Trademark OfficeUSPTO Contact Center (UCC), CrystalPO Box 1450Alexandria, VA 22313-1450800-786-9199 Fax: [email protected] 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 Initiatives200 N. Broadway, Ste. 1500St. Louis, Mo 63102314-539-6600, ext. 255 314-539-3785www.sba.govCreated to help nonprofit, grassroots organizations learn about and access SBA-backed programs and loans. SBA is pre-pared 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. Louis200 N. Broadway, Ste. 1500St. Louis, MO 63102314-539-6600 Fax: 314-539-3785www.sba.gov/mo/stlouisPrograms can assist you with every aspect of starting and growing your business, from developing a business plan to obtain-

ing financing, from marketing products and services to managing your company. Offers management assistance, business planning, financing, access to federal con-tracts, and much more. See ‘Programs for Small Business Lending.’

U.S. Small Business Administration Government Contracting200 N. Broadway, Ste. 1500St. Louis, MO 63102314-539-6600 x236 Fax: [email protected]/gc/Serves as an advocate and a resource for small-business owners. Helps SB owners seeking federal procurement opportuni-ties; provides guidance in marketing to the government and understanding the pro-curement process by providing assistance with Central Contractor Registration; FedBizOpps; Dynamic SB Search; GSA Advantage, etc. Works with federal agen-cies to set-aside contracting opportunities in all SB categories and introduces SB to the agencies. Assists large prime contrac-tors in finding capable SB for teaming and subcontracting opportunities (SubNet).

U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy409 3rd Street, SW, 7th FlWashington, DC 20416202-205-6533 [email protected]/advoResearches pertinent issues, provides poli-cy and legislation affecting small business and monitors their effects. Also produces numerous publications, including an an-nual report to Congress, The Small Busi-ness Economy , as well as technical books, and statistical and economic reports.

UM -St. Louis Small Business Development Center/UMSL Small Business Dev. Center269 University CenterOne University Blvd.St. Louis, MO 63121-4400314-516-6121 Fax: [email protected]://www.missouribusiness.netAssistance 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 Develop-ment Center Network for other business

assistance.

Union Development Corp.500 E. Locust St.Union, MO 63084636-583-3600 Fax: [email protected] City of Union works in partnership with the Union Development Corporation (UDC) to foster local industrial devel-opment. The UDC offers financial and technical assistance to potential firms and markets industrial property within the city limits. Works with all interested commer-cial and residential developers to facilitate their move to and/or growth in Union.

University of Missouri Extension, St. Charles260 Brown Rd.St. Peters, MO 63376636-970-3000 Fax: [email protected]\stcharlesProvides professional business counsel-ing for startups, existing businesses and home-based businesses. Assistance is provided in the area of business plans, financial analysis, marketing planning, re-cord 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 co-alition. 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 Development1105 Carrie Francke Drive 109DColumbia, MO 65211573-882-2707 Fax: [email protected]/minbusdevProvides a vehicle to increase the partici-pation of minority businesses in routine purchasing, design and construction contracting functions occurring on the campuses. Business owners are encour-aged to register their businesses as Minor-ity Business Enterprises/Woman-Owned Business Enterprises (MBE/WBE) with the University of Missouri.

University of Missouri-St. Louis, Con-tinuing Education & Outreach210 J.C. Penney - Conference Center


One University Blvd.St. Louis, MO 63121314-516-5961 Fax: 314-516-6414www.umsl.edu/divisions/conted/outreachAdminister 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 Center4236 Lindell Blvd., Ste. 102St. Louis, Mo 63108314-531-8387 Fax: [email protected] VBRC provides a wide range of business services exclu-sively 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 Entrepre-neurial StudiesSimon Hall, Room 100, Campus Box 1133One Brookings Dr.St. Louis, Mo 63130314-935-9134 Fax: [email protected] mission of Washington University’s Skandalaris Center for Entrepreneurial Studies is to develop an innovative, entrepreneur-ial environment that expands learning, research, collaboration and economic opportunities for students in all degree programs, faculty, and the St. Louis community.

Web Innovations & Technology Services647 E. HollySt. Louis, MO 63147314-382-1650 Fax: 314-382-1730witsismissouris largestnonprofitrecycler.witswww.witsinc.orgProvides 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 replac-ing 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 262W Simsbury, CT 06092860-558-5423 [email protected] 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 informa-tion go to www.2006webaward.org.

Webster University School of Business and Technology470 East Lockwood Ave.St. Louis, Mo 63119-3194314-961-2660 x 7940 Fax: [email protected]/sbtWebster 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 [email protected]/center/regionalchapter/stlouisProvides women in technology with inspiration, education, con-ferences, online services, publications and an exceptional world-wide network of resources. Is the first and only international organization dedicated to advancing women through technology.

Women Lawyers Association of Greater St. LouisP.O. Box 1428St. Louis, MO 63188314-647-0033 [email protected] role and advancement of women attorneys, while sup-porting all women in the work place.

World Affairs Council of St. Louis815 Olive Blvd., Ste. 29St Louis, MO 63101314-727-9988 Fax: [email protected] educational nonprofit dedicated to promoting awareness and understanding of global issues through ambassador forums and topical seminars.

World Trade Center Saint Louis121 S. Meramec Ave., Ste. 1111St. Louis, MO 63105314-615-8141 Fax: 314-862-0102info@worldtradecenter-stl.comwww.worldtradecenter-stl.comA client service organization dedicated to providing a continuum of high quality products and services to the private sector to fa-cilitate global growth and enhance competitiveness. Certified as one of the top marketing research, business-to-business match-making, briefings and events provider for international businesses in the St. Louis region.




SBMSBMST. LOUIS

MonthlySBM







B2B TRADE SHOW








companies



SBMST. LOUIS





Hold a Meeting


Game to Get Sales




The







Close Employees







www.sbmon.com | 314.569.0076

1 year ($21.50) 2 years ($35.50) 3 years ($45.50)

» Charter Business Phone» Charter Business Internet» Charter Business TV» Charter Business Fiber Internet» Charter Business Data Networking

Call 888-845-5130 Today!Or visit Charter-Business.com

©2010 Charter Communications. All programming, packaging, prices and services provided are subject to the terms of applicable tariff/subscriber agreement and aresubject to change. Programming lineup may vary. Services not available in all areas. Internet speeds may vary. Other restrictions may apply.

Power for SuccessPut the power of Charter Business® to work for you.

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

CB_PowerAd_MB-7-5x9-7-c.pdf 1 7/15/10 12:57 PM

Business Owner's Guide 2010-11

Documents

Transcript of Business Owner's Guide 2010-11