Rebuilding in Wellston
On
Jan. 1, 2003, Arvin Walker-Bey re-opened a furniture and appliance
store in Wellston. Within two weeks, the store had recorded $27,000
in sales and completed 10 deliveries from its 14,000-square foot showroom
and catalogue center. "Our goal for the year is to reach $300,000
in sales. With the level of success we've achieved since January 1,
I am confident we'll be on target," says Walker-Bey.
Arvin's Appliance and Furniture is one of several small businesses
that have received valuable technical and financial assistance from
the Greater St. Louis Regional Empowerment Zone (EZ) in partnership
with the St. Louis Regional Office of the Missouri Small Business
Development Center (MO SBDC).
The Empowerment Zone has provided a low interest loan that will be
used for equipment, inventory and working capital necessary to re-open
the retail business following a fire in 2001. Technical assistance
provided by the SBDC supported the company's loan package and application
for funding. Together, the resources of the EZ and SBDC have made
it possible for Arvin's to re-open.
Walker-Bey, a trained appliance repair technician, started his business
in the basement of his sister's home repairing appliances. In 1990,
the volume of business increased at the same time that a small space
in Wellston became available next to antique dealer. He took the leap
and soon expanded into the antique and auction market when customers
wanted to buy things that were not available. As his skills grew,
so did the number and profile of his customer base. He instituted
direct mail campaigns and advertising on television and in local newspapers.
Business boomed.
In 2001, lightening struck the store. Fire severely damaged the building
and its contents. To support his family, Walker-Bey took a job at
Rothman furniture, staying involved in the industry and with his customer
base. But the Mayor of Wellston, William Harvey, introduced him to
the Empowerment Zone as a representative to the Community Council
from Wellston. "Arvin had provided a necessary business service
to the people of Wellston, North County and the City of St. Louis.
He was the best representative of both the business community and
grass roots citizens we could have from Wellston."
Arvin Walker-Bey
3201 Alfred Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63116
Phone: (314) 776-4926
Manufacturer
- Able Products of Joplin - furniture
manufacturer

- Billy Goat Industries of Lee's
Summit - manufacturer of outdoor power equipment
- Dynamic Industrial Services of St. Joseph - rebuilder of electric motors
- Eyes of the World of Rolla - manufacturer of high-quality intraocular lenses for humans and animals
- Eygon Enterprises of Lee's
Summit - manufacturer of a special tool for truckers
- Feather Light Lamp Manufacturing of Kennett - maker of high-quality lighting

- H2OVER Beverage Company of Columbia - canned drinking water distributor

- ISW Group, Inc., of St. Louis - manufacturer of a skin-care product for
African Americans suffering with dermatological problems

- Mo-Sci Corporation of Rolla - specialized glass manufacturer
- The Newberry Group of St. Louis - developer of computer security systems

- Paper Petals of Fenton - printing and custom design of note cards and invitations
- Patric Chocolate of Columbia - gourmet chocolate maker

- Pogue Label and Screen of St. Louis - a specialist in printing labels on plastic containers

- Premier Foods of Milan - poultry processing plant

- Renewable Alternatives of Columbia - specializing in the engineering of phase change materials
to ensure consistent temperatures

- sComm, Inc., of Kansas City - developer of devices to assist the deaf
and hearing impaired

- Sigma Aldrich of St. Louis -
chemical manufacturer

- TechGuard Security of Chesterfield - provider of information network security products

- ValRich Foods of Jefferson City - produces and distributes La Casita salsas

- X-Com, Inc. of Warrensburg, - produces digital communications hardware and software for the Navy and other commercial applications and products
Professional, Scientific and Technical Service
- Aegis Business Solutions LLC of Kansas City -
offers solutions to business problems in information technology 
- Big Vision Design, LLC of Platte
Woods - web site designer/developer

- Brick City Custom Works of Mexico - custom motorcycle repair and service shop
- Flexible Staffing of Chillicothe - provider of temporary workers

- Fundraiser Software of West Plains -
a developer of donor management computer programs

- Gaskin, Hill, Norcross of
Springfield - developer of a text messaging system

- Global Solutions Group of Fenton - network solutions, IT telephone and
systems management firm

- H2O Technical Services, Inc., of Springfield, a provider of integrated water treatment services and applications

- Lee Marketing Group of Joplin
- marketing firm
- Logistical Resource Solutions of St. Louis - storage and inventory control
- Lytmos Group LLC of Lee's Summit - provides peer review and grants management support to organizations that sponsor high technology R&D

- Mail Boxes Etc of Leawood, KS - mailing/shipping services franchise
- Mobile Media Technologies, LLC of Kansas Ciy - wireless communications
- Moresource, Inc. of Columbia - professional employer organization
- NEMS/MEMS Works LLC of Columbia - engineering researchers developing early-stage prototypes of nanotechnology delivery devices to target drug
applications in patients with life-threatening conditions
- OsteoGeneX of Kansas City - drug research and biotech commercialization
- Paragon Business Solutions of Nixa - consulting firm specializing in building performance driven business systems
- Paternity Testing Corporation of Columbia - forensic investigations, DNA profiling
and parental identification

- P/Strada, LLC, of Kansas City - a
consultant in bio-terrorism and homeland security

- Technology and Networking of Cape Girardeau - computer technology and telecommunications sales and services

- The Vacation Channel of
Branson - independent TV station providing tourism info

- Westinn Kennels of St. Charles
- canine boarding and training facility
- Wren Associates, Ltd. of Jefferson
City - provider of retail fraud detection systems

Starred clients were a part of the 2008 Client Showcase [more]
Starred clients were a part of the 2006 Client Showcase [more]
Starred clients were a part of the 2005 Client Showcase [more]
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- Oswald Ag of Tarkio - custom agricultural spraying service
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