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Salute
to Small Business
The
Small Business Awards Dinner held on Thursday, May 25 at
the Chase Park Plaza recognized the accomplishments of a
talented and diverse group of individuals. Their achievements,
both in business and in their communities, represent the
very best that small business has to offer, and provide
a benchmark for future entrepreneurs.
The
week-long salute to Small Business took place May 22 to
25 with seminars, networking events and programs to interest
everyone.Participants
are given the opportunity to learn from experts in a variety
of business-related professions as well as network with
each other and meet this year's award-winning small business
owners, featured here:
William
Kay, Jr.
KAY
GROUP
 William
Kay, Jr.
A
lifelong St. Louisan, William Kay, Jr. is president of
the Kay Group. He was educated at Saint Louis University's
School of Business Administration, where he graduated
in 1992 with a degree in Management Information Systems.
From 1989 to '93, he served as public relations director
for the association management firm Dulle & Company.
He also served as executive director for the St. Louis
County Bar Association and the Lawyer's Association of
St. Louis.
In
1993, he founded Kay Group, an association management
firm offering management services to not-for-profits,
associations and political organizations in the St. Louis
area. Since then, the business has achieved a 30 to 40
percent growth rate per year. In the fall of 1999, Kay
was named to Fast Forward magazine's list of 30
successful individuals under the age of 30.
In
addition to successfully managing and growing his own
business, Kay is an active community citizen. He has worked
as a volunteer in his political party's organization,
and has taken on key responsibilities on Small Business
Week Committees since 1995. He also serves on the Baseball
Committee for the St. Louis Sports Commission and is an
avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. In addition, Kay serves
as executive director and member of Metropolis, an organization
of young people dedicated to the revitalization of the
City of St. Louis.
Randy
Schilling,
SOLUTECH
Randy Schilling
Randy
Schilling, president and CEO of Solutech, is a pioneer
in the field of information technology. He began toying
with the idea of starting his own business while earning
his MBA and working as an electrical engineer and computer
resource coordinator at Illinois Power. His goal became
to find a way to automate information to make it readily
available when needed.
Schilling
then went to work for Grant Thornton where he traveled
to offices around the country, offering technology training
and consulting. After a year-and-a-half, he grew tired
of traveling and decided to do something on his own.
At
the age of 28, with $5,000 in personal savings, Schilling
founded his own business. His vision of a new technology--client/server--would
revolutionize the way business applications could be
created and implemented. The company, Solutech, was
one of the first firms to devote 100 percent of its
effort to client/server technology.
Today,
Solutech is an Internet professional services company
offering vendor certified solutions for e-commerce,
business operations, knowledge management and Internet
technical training. In the seven years since it was
founded, it has grown to be a $20 million company, with
270 employees in 11 locations across the United States.
In
another pioneering effort, Solutech developed one of
the first e-commerce websites built on a Microsoft platform
worldwide. In addition, in the past year Solutech has
started an application service provider business, WebBizApps,
and a digital media studios department.
Linda
Jacobsen
GLOBAL
VISION STRATEGIES
 Linda
Jacobsen
Linda
Jacobsen is founder and president of Global Vision
Strategies (GVS), a global management training firm
committed to international excellence in business
ventures through training and support services for
small businesses as well as multinational companies.
Jacobsen holds both a B.A. in English literature and
a B.S. in linguistics from Iowa State University.
She earned her master's degree in the teaching of
English as a second language and bilingual education
from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and
from the Université de Dijon, France. She has
studied, lived, worked and lectured overseas.
GVS recently signed a groundbreaking $100,000 letter
of agreement with FGI of Thornhill, Ontario, to provide
global management training programs to Canadian businesses.
When it comes to community service and international
relations, Jacobsen pursues many personal and professional
commitments. She is on the board of the National Association
of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), St. Louis Chapter,
and is president of the Zonta Club of St. Charles,
and is active in both organizations at an international
level. Jacobsen is involved in the St. Louis RCGA
and St. Louis 2004. A Girl Scout leader, she also
serves on the boards of the St. Charles County Sexual
Assault Center and Payback, Inc., a juvenile restitution
program. She is on the advisory board of the University
of MissouriSt. Louis Entrepreneurship Institute,
and is a member of the World Trade Center St. Louis,
the World Affairs Council and the International Federation
of Women Entrepreneurs.
Ruby
Harriman
DARUBY
ENTERPRISES
 Ruby
Harriman
Ruby
Harriman is founder, president and CEO of Daruby
Enterprises, a nonprofit organization dedicated
to improving vocational skills training and achieving
self-sufficiency for welfare recipients, the disadvantaged
and the chronically unemployed. The program boasts
a placement rate of 85 percent and a retention rate
of 78 percent, one of the most successful in the
state.
Established
in 1988, the company outgrew its original 1,100
square feet of office space, and in 1998 moved to
a location twice the size of its first location.
At the same time, Daruby Enterprises' mission was
broadened to include psychological assessment, counseling
and partnership opportunities with the St. Louis
Community College Job Prep and Welfare to Work program.
Phase III of the organization was developed to include
childcare. The new childcare facility now in planning
will position Daruby Enterprises to become a "one
stop training and nurturing center," to better serve
the entire family.
Harriman,
an educator, has a master of science in business and
supervision of vocational technical schools and curriculum
development. She is also involved in the community.
She was elected as president of the Missouri Employment
and Training Association, and served on the Board
of Directors of the Missouri Vocational Association.
The governor of Missouri appointed Harriman to the
Board of Regents at Linn State Technical School, where
she served as chair of recruiting. Harriman has received
awards for meritorious service to the community from
Top Ladies of Distinction, was featured in KMOV's
"Women Leading the Way" and received the YWCA of Metropolitan
St. Louis award for entrepreneurship in the business
owner category.
Susan
Wilson Solovic,
SUSAN-SAYS
 Susan
Wilson Solovic
Susan
Wilson Solovic is founder and owner of Susan-Says.
An author, columnist and public speaker, Solovic
began her professional career as a television news
anchor and reporter for NBC, CBS and PBS affiliates.
In 1983, she was recruited by Southwestern Bell
to create, produce and host a company video magazine.
She has won numerous awards for her work, including
an Emmy Award in 1986.
In
1989, Solovic joined ITT Commercial Finance, an
international asset-based lending firm headquartered
in St. Louis with an annual finance volume of nearly
$30 billion. She was named vice president, director
of corporate marketing, becoming the first female
executive in the Commercial Finance Division and
one of the highest-ranking women at ITT Corporation.
Today,
Solovic hosts and produces a series of national
satellite television broadcasts for women business
owners. Recently, she was named a member of a national
"braintrust" to shape the entrepreneurial mission
for women business owners in the 21st
century. A gifted speaker, Solovic presented the
keynote address at National Business Women's Week
1998. Her column on "Making It in a Man's World"
is featured on Jane Applegate's website, www.janeapplegate.com.
Solovic also writes a weekly column on legal tips
for entrepreneurs at Myprimetime.com.
Solovic
teaches a college-level women's entrepreneurial training
program and is the facilitator for the local Women's
Presidents Organization. The 1999 chairman of Small
Business Week in St. Louis, Solovic also serves on
the boards of the Leukemia Society, NAWBOSt.
Louis, Deaconess Hospital College of Nursing and the
Sheldon Theatre.
Janet
Scott
ST.
LOUIS PUBLISHERS,
INC.
 Janet
Scott
Janet
Scott is owner and publisher of the Women's Yellow
Pages of Greater St. Louis, an annual directory
of women-owned businesses and managers. Accompanied
by a bimonthly newsletter, the WYP CATALYST of
Greater St. Louis, the WYP is in its
seventh year. These publications assist women in
business through networking and providing market
opportunities. Since 1996, she has sponsored networking
breakfasts and workshops for women entrepreneurs
in St. Louis. With a range of topics that impact
women and women business owners, the events provide
an important educational opportunity.
Throughout
the years, Scott has assumed local and national
leadership positions in community and women's organizations.
She has been a member of the University City Rotary
Club since 1994, and a member of the National Association
of Women's Yellow Pages since 1992. She is also
a member of the Women's Entrepreneurial Braintrust,
which meets quarterly in Washington, D.C.
Scott
has made great strides in support of women's education,
serving on the University of MissouriSt. Louis
Board of Governors-Women's Studies and on the Southern
Illinois Arts Council Board.
Scott
is an active member of the St. Louis Small Business
Network and Missouri Women's Network. She is a member
of the National Association of Women Business Owners,
the National Organization of Women, the Women in
Leadership Alumna, and the American Association
of University Women.
Fay
Fleming
FLEMING
COMMUNICATIONS
 Fay
Fleming
Fay
Fleming is the managing director of Fleming Communications.
Her more than 19 years of business experience
includes work in research, marketing, public relations,
consulting and accounting. Prior to establishing
the firm in 1994, Fleming served as the vice president
of marketing and public relations for a $6 million
health care system.
Fleming
also has served as an adjunct instructor at Washington
University and National Louis University, teaching
both undergraduate and graduate level marketing
and communication courses, and Fleming has providing
training in research, marketing, media relations
and public speaking.
She
has been a featured speaker at national and international
conferences, and has published articles on marketing
and cultural diversity in newspapers, trade journals
and industry newsletters.
Fleming
received her master's degree in marketing and
her bachelor's degree in finance and accounting.
She completed her qualitative research training
at The Burke Institute and RIVA Training Institute.
A
longtime volunteer, Fleming serves on the Board
of Directors of the St. Louis Chapter of the National
Association of Women Business Owners, and national
committees of the Public Relations Society of America
and the Qualitative Research Consultants Association,
Inc. She is a professional member of the National
Black MBAs and the American Marketing Association.
Tom
W. Siegel
Advantage
Capital Partners
 Tom
Siegel
Tom
Siegel, vice president of Advantage Capital, is
involved in the origination, analysis and negotiation
of new investments and monitoring portfolio investments.
The venture capital firm has more than $125 million
under management. His efforts have resulted in
millions of dollars being provided to Missouri
small businesses, companies that would not otherwise
have received financing.
Siegel
is president and a director of Missouri Venture
Forum, a group with approximately 190 members
that meets for monthly breakfast meetings and
provides a means for investors, entrepreneurs
and business professionals to build relationships.
As president of the Missouri Venture Forum for
two years, he has played a significant role in
fostering an improved, more conducive entrepreneurial
and venture capital environment in St. Louis and
Missouri.
Siegel
is also the owner, editor and publisher of the
Dealmaker's Digest, a monthly newsletter
devoted to mergers and acquisitions and corporate
finance in the St. Louis area. In addition, he
has founded and acquired several other successful
businesses, including WTI Systems, Ltd., a computer
company, and Deli Star Ventures Inc., a food manufacturing
and processing company.
Prior
to venturing into the entrepreneurial world, Siegel
spent two years with KPMG Peat Marwick as a management
consultant in the mergers and acquisitions group.
Siegel
received his bachelor's degree in economics and
a master's in business administration from the University
of Illinois. He is a certified public accountant
and has authored published articles on mergers and
acquisitions, corporate finance and private investor
capital.
Laurie
L. Hopkins
ARTHUR
ANDERSEN, LLP
 Laurie
L.Hopkins
Laurie
Hopkins is the senior manager in charge of the
Enterprise Group of the St. Louis office of Arthur
Andersen, LLP. Since joining Arthur Andersen in
1984, Hopkins has been involved in the financial
aspects of enterprise. In the 18 months she has
been senior manager, she has not only provided
business planning and expansion expertise but
also has been involved in volunteer activities
and in programs to highlight the best practices
of small businesses. She has participated in and
helped evolve "knowledge sharing" events for the
entrepreneurial community.
Hopkins
is active in many civic and professional organizations
and initiatives including serving as a board member
of the Missouri Venture Forum and St. Louis Enterprise
Centers, a committee member of the Small Business
Administration's "Small Business Week," and Entrepreneurship
Committee member for the St. Louis RCGA's Technology
Gateway. She is a member of the Missouri Society
of Certified Public Accountants, the American Institute
of Certified Public Accountants and the National
Association of Accountants.
Edith
B. Quick and Roy M. Quick
QUICK
TAX & ACCOUNTING SERVICE
 The
Quicks
Edith
B. Quick and Roy M. Quick have owned and operated
Quick Tax & Accounting Service out of their
home since 1984. The company provides cost-effective
accounting, tax and business consulting services
to businesses and individuals.
The
Quicks have been involved in many civic and professional
activities. Edith is a delegate to the White House
Conference on Small Business, and also sat on
Committees on Small Business for both the U.S.
House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.
In addition, she is a member of the St. Louis
Small Business Network, the National Federation
of Independent Business and National Small Business
United.
Roy
is a member of the Internal Revenue Services Commissioner's
Advisory Council, the National Association of
Enrolled Agents, the Missouri Society of Enrolled
Agents, and the National Association of Tax Practitioners.
He is also the tax issues co-chairperson of the
White House Conference on Small Business, Region
VII (MO, IA, KS and NE).
Edith
received her bachelor of science degree from William
Woods College. Her many awards include U.S. Small
Business Administration Accountant Advocate of
the Year (1995), St. Louis RCGA Pacesetter Award
(1993), Oakville-Mehlville-Concord (South County)
Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Month
(December 1992), the YWCA Certificate of Leadership
(1990) and Phi Theta Kappa Honorary Academic Fraternity
(1989). She was also a guest lecturer on "Exploring
Entrepreneurship" for Maryville University's John
E. Simon Graduate School of Business (1998).
Roy
received his bachelor of arts degree from Westminster
College. Before starting his own business, he was
employed at Mobil Chemical Corporation, where he
was responsible for customer service in the Midwest
region, and General Motors Corporation, Chevrolet
Motor Division, where he was an entry-level accountant
responsible for calculating labor costs. He also
was employed at Sigma-Aldrich Corporation, where
he supervised and was responsible for various departments,
including purchasing, inventory control and accounting.
William
D. Elmore
DATA
FORCE ASSOCIATES
 William
D. Elmore
William
D. Elmore is the owner of Data Force Associates,
a service disabled veteran owned small business
that specializes in military records acquisition,
and veteran advocacy and program development.
Elmore
was a principal leader in the work of the Small
Business Association's Veterans Affairs Task Force
for Entrepreneurship, which produced the outline
for what was to become HR 1568, The Veterans Business
and Entrepreneurship Act of 1999, which the President
signed into law on Aug. 17, 1999. This act is
the most veteran-friendly law since the G.I. Bill,
permitting thousands more veterans to enter and
succeed in self-employment enterprises.
Elmore
has been active in veteran's organizations and
programs. He has been the president of the St.
Louis Area Veterans Consortium, the director of
the consortium's Veterans Service Center and the
director of the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program.
He has held offices in the National Association
of Concerned Veterans and the National Coalition
for Homeless Veterans. He has served on or led
many local and national committees and initiatives
to help veterans access their benefits. Most prominently,
he has assisted veterans with small business information
and training to reach their goals of business
ownership.
Elmore
was one of the originators of the Veterans Entrepreneur
Training Program. His participation and leadership
in the Veterans Resource Council has enabled the
government to offer business plan review, management
counsel, networking and workshops for interested
veterans.
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