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Sew Quiltable
It was a recommendation from an entrepreneurial friend that led Tori Artman to meet with Amy Lambert of the IL SBDC at the Starved Rock...
Will Juntunen
Mar 25, 20213 min read
18 views
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Photography by Shanna: Focused on Success
In 2017, when Shanna Dugan met Amy Lambert at a mixer for entrepreneurial women, she was leading a successful business in photography....
Will Juntunen
Feb 1, 20212 min read
17 views
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Mad Batter Bakery
Kayla Buchanan loved to bake, and she believed she could open a successful bakery. She knew how to bake the most delightful of pastries,...
Will Juntunen
Jan 26, 20211 min read
8 views
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Open Space Art Gallery and Studios - Ottawa, Illinois
For years, Amanda Weygand believed that she would lead an artistic community. During the excitement of OmniPrize for the Arts in...
Will Juntunen
Jan 14, 20212 min read
23 views
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Chasing Little Arrows
When the Fulkersons began Chasing Little Arrows - a Grand Ridge, IL business focused on baby care products, they knew to turn to the IL...
Will Juntunen
Jan 5, 20212 min read
8 views
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Art Explorations with Susan Burton
Fifteen years ago, Susan Burton departed on a life-changing journey. Led by therapist Edward Tick, Burton explored Greece. The experience...
Will Juntunen
Jan 5, 20212 min read
5 views
0 comments

Confessions for the Narrow Road
Loretta Fralin - Rapp, a local author, photographer, and chef, learned of the Small Business Development Center from a program officer at...
Will Juntunen
Jan 5, 20211 min read
6 views
0 comments

Aurelio's Pizza of Morris
When the pandemic closed his dining room in March 2020, Aurelio’s Pizza of Morris’ owner Gilberto Goyco wanted help navigating the new...
Will Juntunen
Jan 5, 20211 min read
12 views
0 comments

Unpossible Mead
As he started his meadery, Unpossible Mead, Brian Galbreath began the renovation of a building in downtown Dwight, Illinois in October...
Will Juntunen
Jan 5, 20211 min read
3 views
0 comments

Let Your Butler Do It!
Kate and Robin Butler gathered ideas for businesses for years, documenting their ideas in file folders. While searching for business...
Will Juntunen
Jan 5, 20212 min read
29 views
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Capturing Little Sweet Cheeks
Janel Henninger and Sheena Kaszynski met while pursuing independent practices as newborn photographers. The two became best friends. They...
Will Juntunen
Jan 5, 20212 min read
4 views
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Ottawa Travel & Cruise Goes Beyond
Before beginning a second career as a travel agent, Georgia Brown earned a degree in accounting. She brought Ottawa Travel and Cruises 26...
Will Juntunen
Jan 5, 20212 min read
2 views
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408 Fine Arts Factory
A professional musician who plays the flute, Sue Gillio, owner of 408 Fine Arts Factory, has always led young people to the arts. In...
Will Juntunen
Jan 5, 20211 min read
7 views
0 comments

With Wallflower Murals, Rachel Brisbois and Marlee Theisinger "To Bloom" More Public Art
In October 2017, Ray Paseka executed the Streator Heritage Park Vintage Wall, a mural project three stories high in downtown Streator,...
Will Juntunen
Jan 5, 20211 min read
29 views
0 comments


Dr. H. Tak Cheung launches Wok with Tak
Ten years ago, Dr. H. Tak Cheung retired from thirty years teaching and conducting research at Illinois State University. For many years,...
Will Juntunen
Jan 5, 20211 min read
34 views
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Getting The Old Route 66 Family Restaurant through the Reset
Maria Ahmedi was one of the first clients to get in touch with the IL SBDC at the Starved Rock Country Alliance. Her world renowned...
Will Juntunen
Jan 5, 20212 min read
5 views
0 comments

Virtual Reality Games hit Peru!
Want to explore space, play fetch with a lovable imaginary creature, dodge bullets, or find a new way to practice your boxing skills?...
Amy Lambert, Executive Director
Jan 5, 20212 min read
6 views
0 comments

Pampering Vehicles Inside and Out
Javier Sanchez sees his future in being a successful business owner in Streator, IL. His new company, Javi’s Detail and Tint LLC pampers...
Amy Lambert, Executive Director
Jan 5, 20212 min read
2 views
0 comments

Susan Burton Sparks Art
With a vision of becoming an internationally recognized mosaic artist, Susan Burton has high expectations of herself. Luckily, her...
Amy Lambert, Executive Director
Jan 5, 20212 min read
41 views
0 comments

Gather Up! It's time for Pizze!
Tim Cottingim has been firing up ideas for an authentic neopolitana pizza restaurant ever since he first tasted one. His new restaurant,...
Amy Lambert, Executive Director
Jan 5, 20212 min read
3 views
0 comments