Hear from other small business owners just like you and see how partnering with the Illinois Small Business Development Center and Illinois APEX Accelerator at Champaign County EDC has helped them reach their potential.
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Eat Move Groove, LLC
Susie Kundrat, Owner
Susie Kundrat, Owner of Eat Move Groove, came to the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC for assistance with her business that provides nutrition & wellness solutions for corporations, organizations, businesses, educational institutions, and consumers. Because Susie had previously worked with an SBDC in the late 1990’s, she knew she’d be able to receive the guidance she was looking for.
Susie first met with the Center Director, Madeleine Wolske, and shared that she felt as though Madeleine listened carefully to the business goals and then recommended various opportunities that were available. One of the programs Madeleine shared with Susie was the Brand Jumpstart with Clanin Creative. Susie was able to take part in this program and came out with both a logo and brand guide for Eat Move Groove! That logo has even gone on to be the cover artwork for Susie’s book, Eat Move Groove: Unlock the Simple Steps to Lifelong Nutrition, Fitness & Wellness, that launched in March 2024.
Following meetings with Madeleine and Clanin Creative, Susie was able to meet with the Illinois APEX Accelerator at Champaign County EDC to begin the process of becoming a certified woman owned business. With this opportunity, Susie plans to bid for state contracts thus opening a new avenue for business and educational trainings.
When asked about Susie’s experience with the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC, Susie started that, “the sky is the limit for our business with the support from the SBDC” and that she will continue to meet virtually with the advisors while she is on the road with her Eat Move Groove camper van this winter.
The Thrive Shift
Linea Johnson, Founder and CEO
Linea Johnson, Founder and CEO of The Thrive Shift, first heard about the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC by attending a workshop that was held at the Champaign Public Library. At first, she knew she needed assistance with setting up a new LLC but then realized that the SBDC had a wide variety of resources available to assist her along her entrepreneurial journey!
Linea was able to meet one on one with SBDC Advisor, Madeleine Wolske, to discuss setting up her business in banking, accounting, pricing, and networking. Through the SBDC, Linea also utilized the Brand Jumpstart program with Clanin Creative where she worked with their team to create a logo and branding guidelines for her business.
When asked about her experience with the SBDC, Linea shared “My first client is a multinational company, and SBDC helped me feel prepared to work with them professionally from an operational standpoint and supported my confidence in taking on such a large client. I was able to build my business from scratch, and in four months, I have hit my revenue goals for the first year.”
As for future plans for The Thrive Shift, Linea has big ones – “With SBDC’s help, I plan to take on more large clients and grow to the point where I can hire a small team. I am excited by the enormous growth that has happened in a short period, and I hope that, with the groundwork they have helped me create, things will only continue to expand and improve.”
All Smiles Family Dentistry
Dr. Ghada Adhami, DDS & Owner
All Smiles Family Dentistry, a general dentist office, owned by Dr. Ghada Adhami is located in Champaign, Illinois. Dr. Adhami’s father-in-law is who first introduced her to the SBDC and the services offered in the Champaign-Urbana area. While she had been practicing dentistry for many years, she was needing assistance with the business side of things.
The SBDC was able to help Dr. Adhami with her business plan so that she could look for funding opportunities. She was also able to secure financial assistance for her website, logo design, legal services, and educational training for staff through a grant. All Smiles Family Dentistry was also one of the local businesses showcased in a SBDC photo project.
When asked about Dr. Adhami’s experience with the local SBDC, she stated that her experience was fantastic and, “They have guided me every step along the way. Their encouragement, guidance, and their services have made my business dreams come true. I hope that in the next coming years for my business to continue to grow and provide services to the Champaign-Urbana community.”
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