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OSBDC at Summit Medina Business Alliance, Inc
Biz Day Success Story
Vadose Research & Development LLC
Vadose Research & Development LLC (VADOSE) is commercializing a technology to manufacture synthetic crude oil, natural gas and other valuable products using waste materials including scrap tires, waste motor oil, spent industrial solvents, waste plastics, etc., as raw material. The VADOSE process is modular and scalable to allow construction of crude oil manufacturing plants across Ohio in those areas that need job creation most.
Since becoming a tenant of the Akron Global Business Accelerator last August, VADOSE approached the Summit-Medina Small Business Development Center for assistance with government relations, development of expanding aspects of its business model and employment opportunities in Ohio.
In that short period of time, with the assistance of SBDC and Vadose Environmental Consultants, Inc., VADOSE Research & Development LLC has enjoyed some important accomplishments, including:
* Approval as a high-technology company in renewable energy for investor tax credit qualification through the Ohio Technology Investment Tax Credit program;
* Sought and obtained support in kind from the City of Akron, Ohio;
* Redeployed the synthetic crude oil pilot plant from New Jersey to Akron, Ohio;
* Sought and obtaining mentoring from the Manufacturing & Technology Small Business Development Center in Kent, Ohio;
* Sought and obtained Ohio funding approval for the Company's first employee via Ohio's Third Frontier Internship Program;
* Sought and obtained face-to-face meetings with Lt. Governor Lee Fisher in connection with notices of intent to apply for assistance in connection with the Ohio Jobs Stimulus Package in both the clean-coal and non-coal programs within the Advanced Energy Component; and
* The first of two submittals to the Ohio Jobs Stimulus Package has been submitted and approved to go to the formal application process.
Our SBDC is part of a Northeast Ohio-based team that is working hard to bring jobs and newly-created wealth to Ohio. VADOSE applauds its performance, and recommends the SBDC program to other entrepreneurs in Ohio.
Bill Ullom
VADOSE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT LLC
William L. Ullom, President
526 South Main Street, Suite 801D
Akron, OH 44311
(330) 762-6706 office
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Summit Medina Business Alliance (SMBA)
Success Story FY 2007 - 2008
Right Hand Management and Productions, Inc.
Right Hand Management and Productions, Inc. is a national client management and event production firm. They were created in 1999 to properly administer to the professional needs of established authors, lecturers, and entertainers. The firm was established by the owner’s realization that many authors and notables found it extremely difficult to adequately manage their careers while self promoting various appearances at third party events that were not very well produced.
Time and opportunities evolved the company into two distinct divisions: Client Management and National Event Planning, and Logistics. The Client Management division provides national client management to established authors, lecturers, and entertainers. Some of the services included in this group include Business Management, Agent Representation, and Legal advisement. The National Planning and Logistics division offers event planning and logistics solutions to public, private, and government organizations. Services in this division include On-Site Event Management, Full Service Catering, Event Staging, and Dignitary Relations.
The SMBA was contacted for several reasons. Initially, Right Hand Management and Productions needed advice concerning financial projections and business planning. They had experienced growth and were too large for their existing facility. They also had concerns that their space did not project the upscale image that is necessary in recruiting new entertainers, authors, dignitaries, and corporate decision makers. In speaking with the SMBA consultant, it was suggested that they tour the Akron Global Business Accelerator and inquire about space in that facility. It was also suggested that they initiate an application if they were satisfied with the facility.
Right Hand Management and Productions also mentioned to the SMBA consultant that they were aware that the U.S. government issued RFPs (Request For Proposal) for event planning, but they were unsure the methods needed to respond to these requests. The SMBA counselor suggested that they contact the local PTAC for assistance in that field. Subsequent meetings between Right Hand Management and the SMBA revealed that PTAC had assisted them in the government bidding process and they had bid on several projects.
With the help of the SMBA, Right Hand Management has indeed moved into the Akron Global Business Accelerator, secured a bank loan for $100,000 to fund growth, hired 4 new employees, and became versed in government bidding. These items will help them achieve their goal of 20% growth per year for the next three years.
Contact information for Right Hand Management and Productions, Inc. is Hezekiah Davidson, 526 S. Main Street, Suite #701, Akron, Ohio 44311, 330-535-5431.
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THE SUCCESS STORY OF ROB VANEK'S HOME CHECKOUT
Debra L. Meager
? February 2007
Assumptions are rooted in fact. If we don't use logic to support our assumptions, failure surprises us.[1] That's why Rob Vanek, President of Home Checkout, was so surprised that his business was on the brink of bankruptcy when he came to the Ohio Small Business Development Center (OSBDC) at the Summit Medina Business Alliance in Akron, Ohio in the fall of 2006. Rob knew the need existed for affordable grocery and pharmacy delivery. He researched the market and the competition. He knew that no one else was offering this service locally. Through market research, he discovered that this market was growing as the number of aging baby-boomers was growing.
Rob grew Home Checkout from 300 deliveries in 2003 to 19,000 deliveries in 2006, employing 12 people. However, like so many startup companies, the business was under-funded from the beginning and Rob found himself going deeper and deeper into debt to keep this growing company alive. He eventually found a private investor, but not before exhausting every economic development funding avenue. If there is one word to describe why Rob succeeded when many have failed, it is perseverance.
Rob made the most of the Ohio Small Business Development Center and its affiliation with collaborating organizations, like the Summit Medina Business Alliance, Akron and Summit County Economic Development organizations, SBA, Ohio Department of Development and more. Under the direction of Mary Ann Jasionowski, the Summit Medina Business Alliance provides ongoing support to Home Checkout, including strategic planning, financial planning, marketing planning, human resource planning and sometimes just moral support.
However, Rob's affiliation with the SBDC didn't start there. When the University of Akron hosted the SBDC, Rob worked with business advisor and director Bob Algera, who helped him prepare a business plan, financial projections and a strategic plan with milestones. While Rob only planned to deliver groceries at that time, Mr. Algera helped him expand his marketing plan to think "outside the box" which led to the pharmacy delivery, a big part of Home Checkout business. Without this help, Rob said that he wouldn"t have seen the opportunity when it came several months later. Like the Roman poet, Ovid, Rob kept his mind open.
Let your hook always be cast; in the pool where you least expect it,
there will be a fish. OVID
In addition to helping Rob with standard business practices, Mr. Algera also helped Rob see his strengths and weaknesses and provided the support Rob needed to continue. He credits Mr. Algera with helping him talk about the need for financing and having an appearance of strength even in the face of adversity. Once Rob developed a no-nonsense approach and realized that past mistakes were part of the learning curve - it is what it is - he could move forward. In addition to Mr. Algera and the OSBDC, Steven Cook at the University of Akron New Business Legal Clinic helped Rob with legal questions about his corporate entity and provided guidance with contracts.
Helping others comes naturally; Rob serves the people of his community daily as a 16-year veteran of the Akron Police Department, six of those in the Detective Bureau. Serving people, particularly the elderly who are homebound, is the reason Rob started Home Checkout. That passion for helping others continues to drive Rob and Home Checkout. He credits his creative ability in solving business challenges to the detective work.
Rob made assumptions rooted in fact. For example, he assumed that people dont like to shop because they have so little time, and they don't like contracts. He read business books and studied why some businesses succeed while others fail (detective work). With that information, his keen intuition and more than a fair share of faith, he put together a business model based on economies of scale and efficiency, then implemented it.
Home Checkout signed a contract this year with Giant Eagle, a major chain, and continues delivery for Klein's and Ritzman's, local pharmacies, some IGA and ACME stores, and others. With the help of an accountant, he creatively negotiated debt and financing. He currently has 12 employees and anticipates hiring several more this year.
Rob offers the following advice to entrepreneurs:
Know your personal strengths and weaknesses.
At some point, after research and planning, put risk (money) on the table.
Act like the person you want to be. Engage people like you are that person. Set yourself apart by being professional.
Persevere. Keep a positive outlook.
Shoot for the moon. Anything out there is closer to where you want to be than where you are now.
Have faith and do the right thing.
If you would like more information about Home Checkout, contact Rob Vanek at 330-784-2400, 271 Schrop Ave., Akron, Ohio 44312. Alternatively, contact the OSBDC at the Summit Medina Business Alliance, 526 S. Main Street, Akron, OH 44311, 330-375-2111.
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[1] Sayan Chatterjee, Professor of Management Policy, Executive MBA program, Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University, 8-28-2004 lecture.
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