Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE

The IL SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE is happy to announce the winners of its 12th Annual Metro East Startup Challenge. The 2025 business plan competition attracted around 35 entrepreneurs competing for a share of a $28,000 prize package.

Beyond Creative AI, of Alton, Illinois, was awarded the first-place prize of $10,000. Founder Tyler Duty laid the foundation for Beyond Creative AI in mid-2025. Beyond Creative AI is a video-editing agency helping brands to elevate their content on social m...

Eighteen Southwestern Illinois-based entrepreneurs and their innovative business concepts have been selected to move into the second round of the Metro East’s 12th annual business plan competition.

The Metro East Startup Challenge, a product of the Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, welcomes entrepreneurs and new businesses from a nine-county area of Southwestern Illinois with further expansion into Fayette, Montgomery and Macoupin counties. Nea...

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is proud to announce the appointment of Schneidine Louis as the new Director of the International Trade Center (ITC).

Louis brings a wealth of international experience to the role, having served as a diplomat and holding a master’s degree in international business with a concentration in global supply chain and logistics from Georgia State University. Her expertise in expo...

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at SIUE has been narrowing the digital divide in St. Clair and Madison Counties by partnering with the Tech Access Group, (TAG). Founded as a social enterprise with a mission to provide digital access through refurbished devices, broadband connectivity and digital skills training—TAG is set to open its new Belleville location in late August 2025.

What makes TAG different from many organizations attempting to fill similar gaps is its ...

Entrepreneurs and new business startups are invited to compete in the 2025 Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC), Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's 12th annual regional business plan competition.

The MESC is organized by the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at SIUE. The purpose of the Challenge is to identify, encourage, and support entrepreneurs and business startups across the SBDC’s service area, including Jersey, Calhoun, Madison,...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Illinois Small Business Development Center for the Metro East is excited to partner with the Illinois APEX Accelerator at WIU, Metro East Realtist Collective (MERC) and FCB Banks to provide an informational seminar to local small businesses and individuals.

The event aims to educate attendees in the Metro East on how to build a solid business foundation, navigate government contracting, business and personal financing, as well as home ownershi...

Local entrepreneur and fitness advocate Heather Greenwood, owner of Raise the Bar—a 24-hour gym that has served the Hillsboro community since 2016—is thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of a complementary business venture: a state-of-the-art wellness spa, which opened on Monday, July 7. The new spa opened with assistance from the Illinois Small Business Development Center for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Raise the Bar was founded with the visio...

Local favorite Tropical Sno Caseyville, founded by Beth Schwarz and Jeff Schwarz with assistance from the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, is celebrating its fifth anniversary on July 2 with community festivities, customer giveaways, and the exciting debut of its newest offering—Rolling Roast Cold Brew.

What started as a family initiative during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic has blossomed into a seasonal staple and c...

With networking support provided by the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, the startup known as The Waters Institute is a cutting-edge organization revolutionizing the way businesses and professionals engage with artificial intelligence (AI). This company provides accessible education and implementation strategies tailored to non-technical audiences. As AI continues to shape industries and redefine job roles, The Wat...

SoCal Soul Plants & Gifts, a thriving plant shop and community hub in downtown Edwardsville, is celebrating its one-year anniversary March 22-23 with an exciting weekend of giveaways, discounts, and plant-themed fun. Since opening its doors in March 2024, the shop has blossomed into a beloved destination, offering not only a stunning selection of houseplants, succulents, and unique plant-themed gifts but also a welcoming space for plant lovers to learn, connect, and grow together.

What began as...

Honeybee Vintage, a thriving vintage and antique shop in downtown Alton, is celebrating its one-year anniversary this March. The establishment is a winner of the 2023 Metro East Small Business Startup competition, sponsored by the Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Since opening its doors, the business has rapidly grown into a beloved shopping destination, offering a unique blend of vintage and antique treasures, clothing, gifts, stationery, and handma...

Nick Deiters, an entrepreneur, and client of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of his new auto car wash business. With the invaluable support and guidance of the SBDC, Deiters has successfully turned his entrepreneurial dream into reality. The car wash opened its doors to the community this November.

Deiters’ journey with the SBDC began five months ago, inspired by a friend who...

Michael (Mike) Slaton, a client of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at SIUE, is the founder of a new business, a 1-800-STRIPER franchise, preparing to launch and serve the St. Louis Metro East area. This franchise offers professional services like parking lot striping, sports court markings, and more. Slaton, an active military member, dreams of building a successful business that will create jobs and positively impact the local community.

Slaton’s entrepreneurial j...

November 1, 2024 The Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE announces the winners of its 11th Annual Metro East Startup Challenge. The 2024 business plan competition attracted around 35 entrepreneurs to compete for a portion of a $28,000 prize package.

Moxie Pelvic Health and Wellness, of Maryville was awarded the first-place prize of $10,000. Dr. Amber D. Da Gama Rose founded Moxie Pelvic Health and Wellness in October 2023 to offer pelvic floor physical therapy to local women, men and child...

Ashley Baugh, entrepreneur and client of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, has successfully turned her lifelong dream into reality by launching Embody Balance this past June. With more than 20 years of experience as a holistic health practitioner and licensed massage therapist, Baugh has now created a unique business that blends her expertise in trauma-informed wellness education & somatic mental health therapy.

Baugh's j...

Robert Eckman, an entrepreneur and client of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, is excited to announce the grand opening of his new business, Belleville Books. In business partnership with his husband, Steve Mathews, and the support and guidance of the SBDC, Robert has turned his entrepreneurial dream into reality. The bookstore will open its doors to the community on September 24, offering a wide selection of new and used books ...

Nineteen Southwestern Illinois-based entrepreneurs and their innovative business concepts have been selected to move into the second round of the 11th annual SIUE Metro East SBDC business plan competition.

The Metro East Startup Challenge welcomes entrepreneurs and new businesses from a nine-county area of Southwestern Illinois with further expansion into Fayette, Montgomery and Macoupin counties. Nearly 40 entrepreneurs expressed interest in the regional competition this year, according to Jo ...

The Latino Roundtable of Southwestern Illinois (LRT), The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, SIUE’s Office of Online Services and Educational Outreach, and various community sponsors, along with additional partners will host a conference on Friday, August 9: “Immigrants in Our Midst,” that focuses on how to better serve the U.S. Immigrant Workforce. This event will take place from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at...

Entrepreneurs and new business startups are invited to compete in the 2024 Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC), Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's 11th annual regional business plan competition.

The MESC is organized by the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at SIUE. The purpose of the Challenge is to identify, encourage, and support entrepreneurs and business startups across the SBDC’s service area, including Jersey, Calhoun, Madison,...

Amie Spangler, an entrepreneur and client of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, has achieved a significant milestone in her career. In March 2024, Spangler successfully finalized the purchase of Rising Stars Boutique & Greek, a beloved local business that has been serving the community since 2003.

Spangler's journey with the Illinois SBDC for The Metro East at SIUE and director Jo Ann Di Maggio May began in late 2022. Spangler f...

An entrepreneur and client of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for The Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has a new venture to captivate movie enthusiasts and collectors. Joe Wieneke is set to launch Thrills Ville in Edwardsville. The business melds a passion for cinema with a large collection of movie memorabilia.

Wieneke’s journey into the world of cinematic collectibles was inspired by his neighbor and close friend who spent more than two decad...

The second place winner in the 2023 Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC) is Toast & Table, a retail kitchen supply store and educational cooking space. The women-owned business, founded by Stacy Fangmeyer and Amanda Krause in 2022, will host a grand opening at  227 W 1st St, Unit B in O’Fallon on Saturday, April 27.

Fangmeyer and Krause designed Toast & Table...

Melissa Bland, an entrepreneur and a client of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for The Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, plans to inaugurate her cherished venture, Honeybee Vintage with a Grand Opening and ribbon-cutting on March 18, 2024, 10 a.m. at 114 E Broadway, Alton. Fueled by her passion for antiquing and thrifting, Bland wholeheartedly embraces her philosophy of “resale before retail.” This guiding principle has been put into pract...

In the busy world of entrepreneurship, where dreams are transformed into reality, the story of Alliance Counseling Services, PLLC (ACS) is a true inspiration. The owners, a dynamic power couple, not only embarked on a successful entrepreneurial journey but they also recognized the crucial need for mental health support, tackling behavioral challenges, and addressing clinical disorders. This realization led John and Jill Frisbie to establish the practice in 2019, a venture driven by their shared ...

Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE announced the winners of its 10th Annual Metro East Startup Challenge. The 2023 business plan competition attracted around 40 entrepreneurs to compete for a portion of a $28,000 prize package.

Earth Candy, of Troy Illinois, was awarded the first-place prize of $10,000.  Earth Candy, owned by David Huniak and Joshua Douglas, is a retail operation that creates, manufactures and sells unique acidified foods.

Toast and Table, located in O’Fal...

Illinois Metro East Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville helped expand community fitness options with the transfer to new ownership of a CrossFit facility. With the October 1 opening of Iron House CrossFit, Nick Wahle reached a personal goal: To run a successful enterprise while nurturing a sense of community spirit and promoting fitness as a way of life, especially among students.  

SBDC director Jo Ann Di Maggio May met clie...

The Latino Roundtable of Southwestern Illinois (LRT), The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), SIUE’s Office of Online Services and Educational Outreach, and sponsors Busey Bank, FCB Banks, AJ Legal Services, and Revity Credit Union, along with additional partners will host the Immigrants in Our Midst Conference on Friday, September 22. The conference focuses on how to better serve the U.S. Immigrant Workf...

Megan Grandone, a determined mother and working professional from Western Illinois, moved to the Glen Carbon area with her family 10 years ago and has recently embarked on an exciting entrepreneurial journey with the assistance of the Illinois Metro East Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Driven by her desire to bring positivity to her community and foster connections among the people of Southwest Illinois, Megan successfully launched her magaz...

Entrepreneurs and new business startups are invited to compete in the 2023 Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC), Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s 10th annual regional business plan competition.

The MESC is organized by the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at SIUE. The purpose of the challenge is to identify, encourage and support entrepreneurs and business startups across the SBDC’s service area, including Jersey, Calhoun, Madison, Bond...

Dorothy McCoy, an entrepreneur and Army veteran from Illinois began her journey with Metro East Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in May 2022. With the guidance and support of the SBDC, she successfully launched her business, Mo’z Sweet Treat.

McCoy received guidance from the SBDC about her business registration process, mentorship, guidance on health department regulations, assistance in obtaining a micro loan for her business, as well ...

In 1961, President Kennedy signed an executive order reviving the World War II “E” symbol of excellence to honor and recognize America’s exporters. On Tuesday, June 6, the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and International Trade Center (ITC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville received the “E” award for export service at the 62nd anniversary of the award ceremony at the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The award is the highest recognition a ...

On Thursday, April 27, local business owners and entrepreneurs throughout the region are invited to meet the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Small Business Development Center staff and participate in one-on-one advisory sessions from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Nashville Education Center at 17869 Exchange Avenue Nashville, Ill.

Kaskaskia College is pleased to bring this valuable small business resource to the Nashville area. Illinois SBDC for the Metro East Director, Jo Ann Di Maggio May, ...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s School of Business, and The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and International Trade Centers (ITC) for the Metro East at SIUE are proud to announce the inaugural Fuel the Future event. The event will offer local small business representatives the opportunity to learn about the no-cost services available to them through these SIUE centers for business development and in particular exporting. Additionally, the event will pro...

Two Sisters Upholstery and Fabrics, in Carlyle, Ill., an Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville client, was founded by two best friends, Tonya Drake and Amy St. John.  Drake and St. John have a strong passion for bringing new life into furniture, but even more so for stitching together their community with their storefront. Two Sisters sells quilting fabric and supplies and also provides furniture upholstery servic...

Cheri Mansfield, a dreamer and client of the Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, has opened her dream café in Carlyle. Oh So Sweet Bakery and Café has created a place for a community to come together and enjoy the sweeter things in life with high-quality baked goods and beverages.

Mansfield began working with the Illinois SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE in 2021 after hearing about the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the SBDC, throug...

Lindsey Wold, founder of Amygdala Co., client of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, has won Justine Petersen’s 2022 Small Business of the Year Award.

Amygdala Co. is a local company that specializes in helping children who have negative unwanted externalizing behaviors, along with their families, by implementing parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT). Founded by Wold, this company focuses on positive an...

A Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville client and local entrepreneur, with a passion for serving her community and helping others, has been featured as the cover photo in the St. Louis Small Business Monthly (SBM) newsletter for the December 2022 edition.

The SBM features a website and monthly print and digital newsletter that provides local businesses around the St. Louis Metro area with resources and advice to help...