The 2006 Client Showcase!
Showcase highlights contribution entrepreneurs make to Missouri's economy
Missouri's entrepreneurial community is thriving.
And there is no better evidence of that than the 17 firms that were featured in the second annual Business Showcase sponsored by the Missouri
Small Business Development Centers (MO SBDC), the Missouri
Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (MO PTAC) and the Missouri
Small Business Technology Development Program (MO SBTDC), which was held on Thursday, Feb. 9 in the third floor rotunda of the Missouri State Capitol from 8-11 a.m.
That morning, business owners representing all regions of the state and all business sectors were on hand to visit with legislators and state officials regarding their success – and their contribution to the economic development of their communities and the state. All of the businesses featured are clients of one of the above-named programs, which are housed within University of Missouri Extension and partner institutions of higher learning across Missouri.
The goal of the showcase is to demonstrate the important contribution entrepreneurial firms make to the creation of businesses, jobs, wealth and enhanced quality of living in their communities.
"Companies such as those participating in our showcase create more than 90 percent of the jobs in our nation," says Mary Paulsell, director of communications for the sponsoring agencies. "We want to offer legislators the opportunity to meet with these entrepreneurs, hear their stories and come to understand the need for the kind of technical assistance and education our programs provide.
"The diversity among the companies in both scope and mission is amazing. And we deal with more than 5,000 companies like these each year. The contribution they make to our state is very significant."
Participating firms include:
- Akermin, Inc., of St. Louis, developer of a unique biofuel cell system.
- Digital Transcription Services of Springfield, a medical transcription firm.
- DRISTECH, LLC, of Nixa, a designer and distributor of medical devices for the radiographic imaging industry market.
- Genesis School, Inc., of Kansas City, the developer of proprietary software for schools.
- H2O Technical Services, Inc., of Springfield, a provider of integrated water treatment services and applications.
- Hensley Technologies, Inc., of Kansas City, a retailer of electronic test equipment and instruments and electronic design and engineering services.
- Integrity Systems, Ltd., of St. Louis, a fire alarm maintenance and repair company specializing in fire sprinklers and special hazards system installation.
- Joey's Seafood and Grill of Cape Girardeau, an upscale full-service seafood diner.
- Logistical Resource Solutions, Inc., of St. Louis, specializing in distribution and pharmaceutical destruction.
- Mobile Media of Kansas City, the developer of a text messaging system.
- S.A. Flick Seed Company of Kingsville, developers of renewable fuel sources and grass seed products.
- Cason Music of Kirksville, composer and distributor of inspirational music.
- Paula Hartzell, MD, PC, of Joplin, a provider of workshops and consultations in the areas of leadership and personal and professional development.
- Somark of St. Louis, a biotechnology company that has developed an identification and tracking system that uses biocompatible material.
- Velvet Bridge, LLC, of Kansas City, developer of graphic interactive systems for teaching.
- WestInn Kennels of Wentzville, a pet boarding, training and grooming and pet supply retailer.
- VirRx of Chesterfield, a biotechnology firm specializing in the development of genetically-engineered viruses for use as drugs to treat cancer and other diseases.
The MO SBDC is funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in partnership with the University of Missouri and various regional colleges and universities to deliver individualized business management assistance consulting and training.
MO PTAC is funded by the Defense Logistics Agency and is charged with assisting businesses in selling goods and services to local, state and federal governmental agencies.
The MO SBTDC assists companies with issues specific to high-technology and high-growth management and with attracting seed capital via the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program to support research and development and commercialization of new technology.
For more information on the event or the participating firms, contact Paulsell at 573/882-1353 or via email at paulsellm@missouri.edu.
Featured Entrepreneurs and Client Showcase Archive
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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Accommodation & Food Services
Retail Trade
Educational Services
Health & Social Services
Construction
Agriculture
- Oswald Ag of Tarkio - custom agricultural spraying service
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