Reimagining Main Street

Jason and Vanessa Ellingburg of Charleston established their new cattle farm in summer 2022. Over the previous year, the Arkansas Tech University ASBTDC helped the couple with the startup process for The Ellingburg Farm LLC. They invested their own funds to purchase cattle and equipment and built a barn and fences. The center answered questions about permits, operating agreements, recordkeeping, compliance, and management practices.

Lawrence Teasley and Brandon Mack opened Retro City Sneaker Boutique in El Dorado in August 2022. Both men had business experience, and Teasley also served 21 years in the military, but they needed startup capital. Florence Nunn of the Southern Arkansas University ASBTDC assisted them with business planning and market research, helping them obtain a loan through Smackover State Bank. "Florence Nunn exceeded all expectations helping us format a great business plan,” said Teasley. Now, sneakerheads have a local option for sought-after, limited edition athletic shoes and hats.

Businesses in Craighead, Crittenden, and Mississippi counties participated in the Arkansas State University ASBTDC's SmartGrowth Accelerator since 2020

SMART Repro exports live sheep and goats, along with embryos and semen. It's the only multi-country collection center of its kind in the U.S. From Central and South America to the EU and Australia, the company's international customers use SMART Repro products to breed higher-quality animals for meat, milk, and fiber production. The woman-owned company is based in Jonesboro. A banker referred CEO Brittany Scott to the Arkansas State University ASBTDC for a review of business and financial strategy for her three companies. The business participated in the center's SmartGrowth Accelerator in 2022. In recognition of SMART Repro's exporting success, it was honored at the 2022 Mid-America Trade Summit and Governor's Awards for Excellence in Global Trade.

Collin Whittington's ideal customer is someone like himself – an outdoor enthusiast age 18 to 28.  Ideal for road tripping, car camping, and more, his product is a low-cost multipurpose insert for SUVs that can serve as a sleeping platform, fold-out table, or storage. Field testing of the “Hatchpack” prototype began in 2022. The Greenwood native built the first version for his own use, then got requests for more. He went to the UA-Fort Smith ASBTDC and received help with writing a business plan, forming a company, and branding. Whittington was accepted into the Greenhouse Outdoor Recreation Program (GORP) and moved to Fayetteville, where he began consulting with the UA Fayetteville ASBTDC on scaling up the business, now called Morii.

NeuroMedPro LLC uses emerging technologies to develop innovative neurodiagnostic software. ASBTDC is helping the new spinout of UAMS and Arkansas Children's Hospital commercialize its groundbreaking work. With ASBTDC's guidance, NeuroMedPro received Technology Development Program funding from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, plus other sources of seed capital in 2022. The company is led by Mark McManis, PhD; Lilla Dale McManis, PhD; and Fred Perkins, MD.

Owner of Hugo's, which the UAF ASBTDC helped obtain 6 types of COVID relief funding

Isaac Traylor served in the Army. He was homeless before turning his life around and starting a successful mobile business, 3-I Pressure Washing and Detail. Army veteran Scott Tavegia and his family moved from Maryland to start Little T's Mini Golf & More. Air Force veteran Cody McPherson opened the first Crumbl Cookies franchise in Northeast Arkansas, creating 80 jobs. They all worked with their local ASBTDC in 2022. McPherson received startup guidance from the Arkansas State Univerity ASBTDC. With support from the UA Little Rock center, Traylor created a business plan and growth strategy that helped him get expansion funding. Aided by the ASU-Mountain Home ASBTDC, the Tavegias obtained financing to purchase and renovate a former mini golf park.

Sally Mengel was a first-time business owner when she started Loblolly Creamery in 2011. She views Arkansas SBTDC's consulting, training, and resources like market research as critical to Loblolly's growth and expansion. Mengel has worked with the center at UA Little Rock since Loblolly's early days and continues to consult with the ASBTDC. The maker and distributor of ice cream and other sweet treats added a second retail location in November 2021 and has grown its team to 36 employees.

The Arkansas SBTDC serves as the hub for the Arkansas Business Navigator project. The center used additional Navigator funding to expand its capacity to assist underserved small businesses, ensuring that all business owners – including minorities, women, veterans, rural entrepreneurs, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals – have access to resources, information, and technical assistance. To better assist Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs, bilingual Navigators offer training and services in English and Spanish. The Arkansas SBTDC expects to serve more than 5,000 prospective and current small business owners during the two-year project. This support includes access to capital, business development, contracting, marketing, operations, and exporting.