After moving to Little Rock in 2011, Brent and Tracy Cryder envisioned adding their own concept — a craft brewery and dog friendly taphouse — to the local food-and-beverage scene. "We believe in the opportunity here. Our desire was to fill in and complement what was here," says Tracy. "We wanted a place to 'sit' and 'stay,' to use dog words, a space for when you don't want to have everyone at your house but to still be comfortable." They also saw an opportunity for Little Rock to become a microbrewery hub like Asheville, N.C., Grand Rapids, Mich., and even Cleveland, Ohio — places where clusters of craft breweries turned into tourism magnets.
The Cryders started the search for a funding partner in 2019, and for the next three years pitched banks and other potential funders on the idea. With their executive backgrounds, the pair had been in plenty of boardrooms. But the combination of a hospitality-and-alcohol startup run by first-time operators was a hard sell for capital funding. "When we started the banking process, we heard, 'That will work in North Carolina, not here,'" Brent recalled. "There was no way a brewery was not going here," Tracy Cryder said flatly. "We knew what this had to be and held true."
With sheer doggedness and support from the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center, the Cryders brought their idea to life. Even with the property in hand, they tried over a dozen potential financing options before striking a multi-million-dollar deal with Arkansas Federal Credit Union.
ASBTDC Business Consultant Brandon Horvath was their guide and sounding board throughout the process — a "critical advisor," Tracy said. "We've both done a lot of presentations, but not for lending," said Brent. "Brandon was very transparent with us and said, 'This won't be easy.'" Horvath offered different financing alternatives and showed them the things to highlight — and to leave out — to best tell their story to lenders. "Brandon's knowledge, dedication, and coaching have been invaluable," said Tracy.
The financing was approved in October 2022. They broke ground in June 2023 and celebrated their grand opening on Oct. 1, 2024. Over the five-year journey, the Cryders developed a deep appreciation for their local ASBTDC, located at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. "That longitudinal relationship is so important. It wasn't just help with a business plan, but all the things the center does. We don't see it as a one-time deal but an ongoing relationship with ASBTDC," said Tracy.
Housed in a sparkling new 11,000 square-foot facility, Southern Tail serves up an array of craft beers and comfort food. The inviting space includes indoor and outdoor seating, a lawn for games and a stage for live music outside, and a cozy fireplace and high ceilings inside. Dogs are welcome on the patio and can enjoy their own dog friendly menu.
With a crew of nearly 50 employees and growing, the Cryders are intent on creating an environment that attracts workers and guests. They want to provide a first-rate experience for customers (and their furry friends) and high-quality brews that bring in craft beer enthusiasts from far and near.
Southern Tail purposefully sits within walking distance of other breweries, just off the new downtown Exit 140 on Interstate 30. Combining their love for craft beer, local food, and animals, Brent and Tracy are proud to be a part of making Little Rock a national craft brewing and spirits destination, anchored in the East Village neighborhood.
Serey Sar-Blanchard’s life was in transition. She was newly married and moving to Marion, Ark., from out of state, and she wanted to open a business.
With 19 years of industry experience, including management roles, she was ready to start her own salon. Relocating provided the opportunity.
Serey knew she needed startup guidance and capital as a first-time business owner. She contacted the nearby Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at Arkansas State University Mid-South. Over the next 16 months, the center’s Jack Poff Jr. assisted her through each step of starting her business.
“I already told a client to use ASBTDC because she and her husband are thinking about opening a business. They do not know where to start and that fear has been holding them back. I told her that ASBTDC is a wonderful place to start because they will help you with everything that you need to know and guide you through every step to get you where you need to be.”
With Poff’s help, Serey wrote a business plan, compiled financial projections, and analyzed the pros and cons of hiring another nail technician.
They also discussed marketing and social media strategies. To help Nail House Rock target its social media content, Poff provided market research on the preferences and motivators of customers in the local area.
Poff connected her with the East Arkansas Planning & Development District for startup funding. Willing to invest in an experienced professional who was new to business ownership, EAPDD answered the call with its revolving loan fund.
In typical small business fashion, going from funding to opening wasn’t without snags. The furniture arrived damaged, the booking software was challenging to learn, and unforeseen costs arose. However, Serey overcame those challenges with the support of the Arkansas SBTDC.
Poff “continued helping me every step of the way, and he is still staying in touch after I opened the salon to see how it is running and how I am doing,” Serey said.
Sar-Blanchard opened her rock-n-roll-themed nail salon on March 1, 2023, in downtown Marion. The grand opening celebration held the following month was an exciting day for her family, with five of her siblings and other family members present. It was also a chance to honor her late parents, who emigrated from Cambodia.
“Serey” means freedom in Cambodian; it was a name chosen because she was their first American-born child.
Nail House Rock wants to give clients a one-of-a-kind experience. The by-appointment-only salon stays busy, and repeat customers are helping keep Sar-Blanchard's calendar full.
“I always put 110% in my work to keep my clients coming back,” says Serey.
“Since opening the salon, I have learned that being an owner of a business is very challenging, especially in a small town. If a client is not impressed with my work, the whole town will know!”
Services range from basic manicures and pedicures to acrylic full sets and fills, gel manis and pedis, and nail art – the custom designs that are Nail House Rock's specialty.
“The goal for business this year is to work out all the kinks,” Serey said. One of her goals for her second year is to hire an additional technician.
Starting in her home kitchen and growing into a successful bistro, Melissa Shipp's business ownership journey exemplifies passion and perseverance. Shipp had vast experience in the food service industry but was new to all that starting a restaurant entailed.
For 15 years, Melissa did catering and cottage baking while raising three children. Once her children were in school, she launched a food truck, operating a few days a week during lunch hours. Then, in 2021, she became the kitchen manager and head chef at another establishment.
When she came to the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at Southern Arkansas University the next year, she was ready to purchase or start her own stand-alone restaurant. Her years of experience "built a fire in me to do this on a bigger scale," she said.
But the transition from food truck to brick-and-mortar restaurant had its challenges. For instance, navigating restaurant regulations was daunting.
"I always hear people say, and I myself even had the thought, 'I just don't know where to start.' I am telling you right now, if you start with ASBTDC, your finish line is closer than you think!"
Shipp's ASBTDC consultant, Janell Reeves, made the process smoother and more manageable. She helped Melissa stay on task, organized the steps needed to reach her goal, and provided continuous encouragement.
Reeves also shared extensive market research, prepared cash flow and income projections, helped Shipp develop a business plan and obtain financing, and offered general business guidance.
"The ASBTDC was extremely helpful in the entire process of opening my business. They thought of things I would have never thought about and helped me in ways I could not have imagined. They made the entire process so much easier," said Melissa.
She found an ideal location at the corner of Main and Washington on the bustling courthouse square and launched Barefoot Bistro in September 2023.
Shipp turned her years of knowledge and experience into a thriving and popular downtown bistro for the whole family. Earning excellent reviews on Google and TripAdvisor in its first year, Barefoot is a full-service restaurant and catering company serving El Dorado and the surrounding rural area.
Shipp used the loan proceeds to renovate the building and purchase equipment, furniture, and fixtures. Now, the restaurant provides a unique atmosphere where families come to enjoy innovative food combinations. Melissa's passion for cooking and creating unique menu options drives her success, along with the loyal Barefoot clientele she cultivated with her food truck and catering business.
She encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to reach out to the Arkansas SBTDC and speaks highly of the organization's resources and guidance. "I had great help from friends and family, a wonderful loan officer that walked me through every step of funding, and Janell with ASBTDC," said Shipp.
Machelle Lee and her husband Kevin purchased the former Dover Supermarket building with a dream. They envisioned making it into a place where folks could gather, eat, dance, and support their community.
Over a two-year period, they created such a place, set up like an Old West town.
The Lees have two decades of experience in the restaurant industry and are seasoned business owners. A recommendation from the couple’s banker led Machelle to contact the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at Arkansas Tech University.
They had funds to invest in the project but wanted to consider all financing options, plus plan for a multi-phase launch.
“The ASBTDC helped with the business aspect of things. I didn’t have a lot to go on, and the research helped me figure out the market and how to meet its needs."
Machelle began working with Ronda Hawkins of the ATU ASBTDC in March of 2021. They started with a business plan, market research, and financial analysis.
She credits the ASBTDC’s market data as being the most helpful assistance in the early days.
“The ASBTDC helped with the business aspect of things. I didn’t have a lot to go on, and the research helped me figure out the market and how to meet its needs,” Lee said.
Hawkins continues to share her expertise on marketing, managing employees, pricing, and other questions.
MAK Daddy’s is more than just a restaurant with live music. It’s a “town” designed to be fun and family friendly. Around the walls of the facility are counters and rooms set up like shops – an ice cream parlor, coffee shop, and billiards room will be joined by a bakery, saloon, and more.
The Lees' business evolved in phases. At first, MAK Daddy’s Old Town Meet n Eat hosted outdoor events with live music on Friday and Saturday nights, while serving popcorn and ice cream. Next, came the indoor stage, dance floor, burgers, and breakfast.
The commercial kitchen opened in August 2023 with a full breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu.
A dozen staff work part-time or full-time in the business.
“There is certainly something for everyone! Once fully completed, you will definitely feel like you are eating in the streets of MAK Daddy town,” said Machelle.
“We are still working on the TV lounge for all the sports lovers. The bakery is under construction, which when open, will supply the restaurant with fresh baked goods! The opera house is halfway completed. It has a huge dance floor and stage for live bands. We hope to bring in comedy shows eventually, just like a mini Branson. The dinner saloon is also in the works for those wanting a drink with their meal,” she added.
FR8relay wants to transform long-haul trucking. Trucks move over 70% of freight in the U.S., and the company is developing innovative software that pools shipments and matches drivers with trailers and cargo in a patented relay system.
FR8relay's technology allows for greater flexibility and responsiveness in freight operations so that goods move swiftly and with reduced environmental impact. This innovative approach ensures trucks and freight keep moving while returning long-haul drivers home each night.
Aayush Thakur and his wife Deme Yuan launched FR8relay in Memphis, Tenn., in 2016. Two years later, the young couple relocated their startup to Northwest Arkansas. Thakur attended college in the U.S. with intentions to return home to India to help run his family's businesses. Instead, he became an entrepreneur himself.
Aayush, the CEO, and Deme, the COO, envision creating a more efficient, profitable, equitable, and sustainable trucking logistics ecosystem. To advance their technology and scale up FR8relay, they needed capital.
"The ASBTDC has been an invaluable partner in FR8relay's SBIR journey since 2020, helping us secure five SBIR awards and three state matching grants. Their dedicated team provided exceptional guidance on proposal strategy and development, ensuring our success across multiple agencies."
With guidance from the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center, the company began pursuing federal Small Business Innovation Research seed funding, getting its first win in 2021.
The center's services have helped FR8relay secure five SBIR awards, as well as matching grants from the State of Arkansas. The company has utilized the specialized consulting and training offered by the Arkansas SBTDC network, particularly the statewide innovation specialist and the University of Arkansas regional office. FR8relay has also participated in SBIR training and events provided by ASBTDC, including the 2024 America's Seed Fund Road Tour.
Most recently, FR8relay received a $998,234 SBIR Phase II grant from the National Science Foundation. The Phase II project will pilot FR8relay's machine learning model, designed to improve the efficiency of the company's relay concept and predict travel time disruptions. "This project will bring us one step closer to a more efficient and sustainable freight transportation system for the entire country," Thakur said.
NSF Phase II proposals must include a robust commercialization plan to ensure the technology solution has a clear path to market. ASBTDC's Catherine Corley was instrumental in helping the company craft its plan. "Catherine played a pivotal role again in guiding us through the development of a compelling proposal," said Deme. "She helped us refine and highlight our competitive advantage."
The prestigious Phase II grant further cements FR8relay's role as a key innovator in the trucking industry. With federal funding accelerating the development of its technology, FR8relay is poised to reduce shipping times and operational costs while also addressing key industry challenges such as truck driver retention and environmental sustainability.
The company's team of six has learned to balance work funded by multiple federal agencies. The FR8relay team previously won SBIR Phase I and II awards from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and a Phase I from the Department of Energy.
ASBTDC helped FR8relay "strategize how to ensure that there would be no perceived overlap between each of the three projects we proposed to NSF, USDA, and DOE," said Aayush. "We have set up and will continue to maintain very organized work plans, with clear role delegation and strict timekeeping regimens for each project," he added.
Fayetteville, Ark., startup company CelluDot was formed in 2020 to commercialize a patent-pending nanocellulose technology derived from forestry and agricultural waste like sawdust.
The company’s first product, BioGrip, is an eco-friendly, efficient, and cost-effective solution to mitigate herbicide drift. By combining drift-reducing and volatility-reducing agents and a surfactant into a one-step solution, CelluDot’s product will enable farmers to control weeds more effectively and safely – without harming nearby crops and other vegetation.
The company founders developed the technology as doctoral students at the University of Arkansas. To bring their research to market, the first-time entrepreneurs needed seed capital and guidance.
“ASBTDC has been a huge resource for CelluDot. We strongly recommend any startup that’s planning to submit an SBIR/STTR proposal to make use of ASBTDC services.”
The Arkansas SBTDC has helped CelluDot pursue and win federal research-and-development funding through America’s Seed Fund, the SBIR/STTR program. In 2023, the National Science Foundation awarded the company a $959,510 Phase II contract.
Company founders Joseph Batta-Mpouma and Gurshagan Kandhola have utilized the specialized consulting and training for tech-based companies offered by ASBTDC’s statewide innovation specialist and the University of Arkansas regional office. ASBTDC in-depth market research, proposal development and review services, and agency contacts all contributed to CelluDot’s SBIR/STTR success.
Since completing ASBTDC’s Lab2Launch Accelerator, the company has won SBIR/STTR awards from the National Science Foundation and U.S. Department of Agriculture, plus a state SBIR Matching Grant. To date, the center has helped CelluDot secure $1,459,407 in capital funding.
CelluDot is using the proceeds of its Phase II award to optimize BioGrip and scale up manufacturing. The company is conducting field trials and further product testing on the way to completing regulatory approvals.
CelluDot is also developing relationships with key industry players and establishing commercial partnerships with a goal to bring BioGrip to market in the next two years.
