Emerging Leaders program helps business owners grow
Sixteen small business owners from the Chicago area recently graduated from the U.S. Small Business Administration Emerging Leaders program, a "mini-MBA" training initiative for local businesses on the brink of growth.
It is the ninth year the SBA Illinois District Office has hosted the seven-month executive education series. The program includes approximately 100 hours of classroom time, connects small business owners with a network of industry experts and peers, and supports the creation of a three-year strategic growth action plan.
Since the SBA started offering the Emerging Leaders program in various locations across the country, graduates have created more than 2,400 new full-time jobs, accessed more than $73 million in new financing, and secured federal, state, local and tribal contracts worth more than $1 billion.
The 2016 graduates from the Chicago class represent diverse industries including information technology, marketing and advertising, construction, commercial printing, and more.
The Emerging Leaders class is made possible with support and sponsorship from SCORE, the nonprofit association of thousands of volunteer business counselors, and Wintrust Bank. Tom Huffman, senior vice president for Wintrust's SBA Lending, spoke to graduates at the event.
"The Emerging Leaders program offers small business owners the opportunity to receive high quality training while stepping back and managing their company's growth from a high level," said Robert "Bo" Steiner, SBA Illinois District Director. "Investing seven months into this intensive course can pay off for years to come. I'm excited to see how this year's class continues to grow."
Gary "Hal" Link, owner of Halldoor Woodworking in Chicago, says Emerging Leaders has given him a new framework to make decisions for his business.
"Most valuable was learning the skills to work my business analytically, instead of emotionally," he said.
Meet the two suburban graduates:
The 2016 SBA Emerging Leaders graduates in Chicago:
• Abdul Ahmed, AKA Comp Solutions of Chicago
• Ronald Banks, Genesis Integrative Solutions of Chicago
• George Benitez, Acanthus Technology of Chicago
• Brian Buss, TAD Consulting & Mgmt. Trans America of Chicago
• Jen Brady, Fred & Associates of Chicago
• Harold Gauthier, Gauthier Glass LLC of Chicago
• Cornelius Griggs, GMA Construction Group of Chicago
• April Hughes, HPZS of Chicago
• Laurie Kohl, The Elevator Consultants of Chicago
• Rozmene Makhani, SQN Associates, LLC of Chicago
• Symon Ogeto, SEED Group, Inc. of Chicago
• Dave L. Ransom, Jr., D & R Press of Elmwood Park
• Kenneth Webb, Fact Finders Group of Matteson
• Joy McCullum-Gye, SM Plow Group Chicago of Chicago
• Carmen Meekins, Reassemble Education & Training of Chicago
• Gary "Hal" Link, Halldoor Woodworking of Chicago
Kenneth Webb
Fact Finders Group
4747 Lincoln Mall Drive, Suite 300, Matteson, 60443
Phone: 708-283-4200
Website: www.factfindersgroup.com
Email: kenwebb@factfindersgroup.com
Years in Business: 19
Q: What motivated you to start this business?
A; My motivation to start a business was the ability to determine my own income and success, as opposed to be a salaried individual and grow through office politics.
Q; What is the biggest challenge you face in growing the business?
A; Over coming an unleveled playing field in a male/white dominated industry.
Q; How did the Emerging Leaders program help you meet that challenge?
A: he Emerging Leaders Program helped me to meet that challenge by understanding the components of good business practices i.e. Pricing Services, Marketing, Competitive Edge, Research on Competitors, Advanced Technology, Budgeting and Growth Planning.
Q: What is one tip you'd offer someone starting their own business?
A: Make sure you complete a business plan that has specific milestones and achievable goals.
Dave Ransom
D&R Press
7959 W. Grand, Elmwood Park, 60707
Phone: 708-452-0500
Website: www.dandrpress.com
Email: dave@dandrpress.com
Years in Business: 44 yrs. since September 1972
Q: What motivated you to start this business?
A; First, since I can remember, I always wanted to start my own business; I just did not know what kind of business till I was in the printing trade. I enjoyed the graphic arts (printing) class in high school. It was cool to work on project and at the end of the day have something to show for it. I was able to land a pressman job before graduation, which allowed me to really get the feel for the industry. One year out of high school I bought my first press, and 44 years later I still enjoy running presses and working with clients, fulfilling their printing needs.
Q: What is the biggest challenge you face in growing the business?
A; Today, with the internet and social media, Millennials are all going to electronic devices, instead of printed material. My challenge is to get them to see the value of a quality printed piece. We are also forced to compete with the internet, where people are looking at price and not quality.
Q: How did the Emerging Leaders program help you meet that challenge?
A: The Emerging Leaders program taught me how to look at my business in a different way. I learned how to work on my business vs. just working in it. It's given me a different energy to promote my business in new ways that I had never thought of.
Q: What is one tip you'd offer someone starting their own business?
A: Be prepared to work hard by putting in the long hours with a determination to go that extra mile for a client. In order to succeed, you have to keep in mind the client comes first, and to keep him you need to do whatever it takes.