The Great Business Stories of St. Louis MO

In an interview with Dr. Mike Smith, David Phillips, owner of Amicus IT Solutions, shared his 30-year journey in the IT industry, emphasizing the importance of persistence, adaptability, and a people-first approach. Inspired by entrepreneurial parents, Phillips started his business to help small and midsize companies navigate technological challenges. He highlighted the value of joining a peer group of IT business owners, leveraging their collective experience to grow and adapt his company. Phillips stressed the need for employee training and compliance by discussing trends like AI and cybersecurity. Balancing business and personal life, he likened running a business to raising a child, requiring care, growth, and independence. Phillips underscored his firm’s focus on serving professionals like attorneys and accountants, emphasizing collaboration and trust.

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In an interview with Dr. Mike Smith, Dave Chronister, founder of Parameter Security, discusses his journey since launching the cybersecurity firm in 2007. His company specializes in security assessments, PCI certifications, digital forensics, and managed services. Despite initial challenges—such as starting the business right before the 2008 financial crisis—he attributes their growth to customer trust and building long-term relationships. Chronister emphasizes the importance of creating a positive work environment through flexibility and work-life balance, citing their core value: "Moderation is our superpower." Reflecting on lessons learned, he shares that expanding service offerings earlier would have helped and stresses the need for clear boundaries in personal and business life, especially since starting the company with his former spouse added strain. Looking ahead, he aims to focus more on profitability rather than just revenue, emphasizing sustainable growth and quality over expansion.

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Dr. Mike Smith hosts "The Greatest Businesses in St. Louis" podcast and YouTube series, where he interviews notable local entrepreneurs. In this episode, he speaks with Brian Pearson Jr., founder of EDUrain Inc., a platform designed to solve student housing challenges. Based on his experience with the difficulties of college housing, Brian explains how EDUrain provides a custom housing solution that acts like a specialized Zillow for college students. The platform connects students with property listings, roommates, and financial tools while offering lease management and rent processing services for property managers and colleges. The company has grown rapidly since launching the product in 2022, with over 40,000 users and partnerships with multiple universities. Brian attributes the success to his team's commitment, diverse backgrounds, and hands-on approach to addressing student housing needs. He emphasizes the importance of hard work, trust, and maintaining relationships to foster personal and professional growth.

"Byron Pierson Jr" [email protected]

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Dr. Mike Smith hosts the podcast and a YouTube series, "The Greatest Businesses in St. Louis." In a recent episode, he interviewed Patrick Ritter from Core Planning, a fee-only financial planning firm with 37 self-employed advisors. Core Planning, founded in 2018 by Guy Penn, offers a unique "farmer's market" model where advisors operate independently, focusing on providing fiduciary advice without product sales. Patrick shared his journey of being the first advisor on the platform, noting the challenges and growth over the years, particularly navigating the financial services landscape in St. Louis. He emphasized Core Planning's culture of independence and flexibility, which attracts experienced advisors like CFPs and CFAs. Patrick also discussed the impact of COVID-19 on client interactions, the firm’s digital transformation, and how personal passions and authentic connections have contributed to business growth. Reflecting on the industry, Patrick highlighted the importance of long-term planning and sticking to financial strategies amid market fluctuations. He encouraged prospective clients to visit Core Planning’s website for more information.

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In this interview, we hear from Sharon Crow Chapman, CEO and principal designer of Sharon Chapman Design, founded in 2018. Despite launching just before the pandemic, Sharon's firm has thrived, specializing in transforming spaces through interior design. She discusses her journey from having degrees in advertising and communication to becoming a self-taught expert in design, underscoring the importance of passion and continuous learning. Sharon reflects on her experience managing employees, emphasizing the value of teamwork and fitting the right personalities into the business. She highlights the versatility of her company, which offers services ranging from custom cabinetry to full-scale property developments and rental furnishings. Sharon also shares her strategies for balancing her demanding work life with being a mother. She credits her business growth to the support and accountability of business coaching and networking through groups like Business Network International (BNI).
For more information on their services, visit: www.sharonchapmandesign.com

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In this interview, we hear from Ricky Hall from Nutrition HQ, a vitamin supplement retail chain with stores in Quincy, Illinois, Mishawaka, Indiana, and a new one opening soon in Vidalia, Georgia. Ricky shares his business journey, emphasizing the importance of surrounding oneself with other entrepreneurs and continuous self-education. He highlights managing staff and inventory as crucial challenges and values energy, passion, and customer care in employees. Nutrition HQ thrives on community engagement, personalized customer service, and diverse product offerings, including grab-and-go meals and in-body scans. Ricky attributes his growth to filling market voids and genuine customer care. He balances personal life with business demands by setting boundaries and finds acquiring quality franchise leads challenging. His marketing strategy involves community involvement, strategic radio, social media, and mass mailings. Ricky values openness in sharing business insights, believing in learning from failures, and identifies the mid-30s to 40s females as his ideal customers due to their broader purchasing needs.

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In this interview, we hear from Shaun Duvall, founder of the IT staffing company Daivari. He shared insights about his business, emphasizing the importance of consulting, direct hire, and staff augmentation in the IT space. He highlighted the significant changes and challenges faced, especially during COVID-19, and the implementation of the EOS system to streamline processes. Shaun discussed the qualities he seeks in employees, internally and externally, emphasizing a serving heart and long-term vision. He shared strategies for fostering a positive work environment, such as team collaboration incentives and community service programs. Shaun also touched on the importance of continuous learning and leadership development and the necessity of maintaining a balance between personal and professional life. On his business journey, Shaun emphasized the importance of accountability, holistic employee development, and adapting to market fluctuations for sustained growth and success.

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In this interview, we hear from Mark Mattei, the founder of ME and Media, a video production and marketing company started in 2020 by Mark and his wife. Mark explains that their business creates a wide range of video content for businesses, including YouTube videos, social media reels, website videos, and TV commercials, with a strong emphasis on content that delivers a return on investment through effective marketing strategies. Initially launched during the pandemic using severance equipment from their previous jobs, ME and Media has doubled its annual growth over the past three years. Mark attributes their success to their hard work, strategic networking, and the creativity of their dedicated team. Despite the challenges of running a business with a spouse, they maintain their roles and communication to balance their professional and personal lives. Mark highlights the importance of targeting the right audience, understanding client needs, and adapting to changes brought about by the pandemic. Their ideal customers are businesses seeking growth with sufficient marketing budgets, and they value partnerships with other video professionals to handle various project demands.

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In this interview, we hear from Brett Schnitger, CEO of Stars Design Group. Brett leads a company that designs, develops, and produces apparel through 67 factories in 14 countries. Based in St. Louis, with international offices, Brett shares his entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the importance of learning from mistakes and informed decision-making. He highlights the need to hire employees who align with company culture and the balance between empowerment and accountability. Brett discusses the apparel industry's shift from domestic to global production and the interconnectedness of the global economy. Managing a global business requires staying relevant through continuous evolution and balancing personal life with business demands. His ideal customers are medium to large companies, and he values connectors that facilitate meaningful business relationships. More information can be found on their website and podcast, "Clothing Culture."

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In this interview, we hear from Jamie Jay, CEO and founder of Bottleneck Distant Assistance, the world's first dedicated distance assistant company. Jamie explains that Bottleneck provides skilled human assistants for various administrative tasks, especially post-COVID, differentiating it from traditional virtual assistants. In his 18 years in the industry, Jamie shares that he would have focused on documentation and systems to reduce overwhelm and stress. He emphasizes creating a positive work culture where employees feel empowered to voice their opinions. Jamie also highlights Bottleneck's low turnover rate due to their rigorous vetting and personality assessments. He discusses the challenge and importance of educating others about the new category of distant assistance and attributes the company's growth to its specialization in six key administrative roles. Jamie's insights on category design and the importance of differentiation offer valuable lessons for businesses aiming to stand out in competitive markets.

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