Reimagining Main Street

Forest Scientific is collaborating with area schools to offer products and services to help educate today's generation on the importance of trade skills. With the help of PennWest Clarion SBDC, and the Northwest Planning and Development Commission, Forest Scientific successfully purchased the Tionesta Business Park and renovated the building to meet the company's needs. In addition, the PennWest Clarion SBDC completed an SEO analysis of Forest Scientific's website for improvement suggestions. With support from the PennWest Clarion SBDC, Forest Scientific can continue making an impact on aspiring young students.

Connie Feda and Addison Fox approached the Duquesne University SBDC to seek assistance with establishing a storefront business in McKees Rocks, PA. The business featured a formal "grand opening" on September 27th, 2022. Cookie Cookie Ice Cream also works closely with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation to employ part-time workers with special needs and train them to make and sell cookies, ice cream, and coffee.

Jordan Galasso used his savings to start Fit AF Nutrition in 2017, working with The University of Scranton SBDC for assistance. Fit AF Nutrition is a fully prepared meal delivery service focusing on high-quality nutrition to help people lose weight, feel better, and have more energy, currently serving all of northeastern PA. Business consultant Leigh Fennie assisted him with a social media strategy and performed industry research helping the business grow in revenue as well as geographically. He has also worked with a business consultant, Winifred McGee, and center director, Lisa Hall Zielinski, on food safety and permits and licensing requirements. He was named the 2022 SBA Eastern Pennsylvania Small Business Person of the Year.

Shortly after launching in 2014, Felt + Fat experienced significant growth in sales to the restaurant industry. Felt + Fat began to receive inquiries and orders from throughout the US and from overseas. The company grew to 8 employees by 2017 when the President, Nate Mell, realized that the sales exceeded their equipment's production capacity. Nate approached the Temple University SBDC for guidance and assistance in identifying funding opportunities to finance the required equipment purchases. Senior Business Consultant, Karl Kraus, worked with Nate to identify appropriate financing options that matched the scope of the project and the desire to minimize the dilution of the owner's equity.

Owner of Latchkey LLC

CEO of Innovech Software LLC

Keith Foust, serves as President of Susquehanna Fire Equipment Company and leads a firm with 33 employees and two locations. The company has endured numerous challenges, but nothing could have prepared them for the impacts of COVID-19. In March 2020, business as usual was abruptly extinguished: sales declined severely, and layoffs were imminent. He reached out to the Bucknell University SBDC for assistance. Keith and his team worked quickly and closely with the SBDC as they applied to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan program (EIDL). The company was approved for funding through both programs, and every employee was happy to report for duty-even if it meant working in new positions and changing conditions.

Founder of Anthracite Creative Works

Owner of Standing Stone Transport, LLC

After meeting with Bill Dietz, City of Erie Business Consultant, the Gannon University SBDC was able to help with business planning, market research, industry forecasting, marketing, and financial projections. With a solid business plan in place, Dena launched Purrista Cat Cafe on February 14th with a Grand Opening Celebration. Dena stated, “We're delighted to have the Gannon SBDC and multiple City of Erie officials and business colleagues join our celebration. Our dream of constructing this facility to help support adoptable cats was made possible partly by them and trusting in a local gal's dreams to create a space that supports a passion for animal welfare and the community together."

Owner of Skin Care by Glenda