Three small companies get cash to help grow
ST. LOUIS – Dec. 2, 2015 – Three North St. Louis County businesses received $10,000 each after winning the Big Idea Pitch business plan contest organized by North County Inc. in partnership with the Regional Business Council and St. Louis Community Foundation and funded by the U.S. Bank Foundation and the Reinvest North County Fund.
The three winning companies and their plans for investing in their firms are:
- Best Insurance Agency, owner Joshura Davis, 9191 W. Florissant Ave., Ferguson. Website development and Internet marketing.
- Corners Frameshop & Gallery, owner Robin Shively, 2 S. Florissant Rd., Ferguson. Specialty equipment, signage, marketing, and training in point of sale system software.
- Paw Purfect Pet Salon, owner Paul Simon Cosby, 10432 W. Florissant Ave., Dellwood. Purchase of a pet grooming van, van signage, and additional training and equipment.
The Big Idea Pitch process began in September when all competitors were required to submit their business plans they created with help from area mentors. Judges critiqued the plans and made suggestions on how to improve them. Then a panel of judges listened to the businesses pitch their plans at the competition on Nov. 16.
“Starting a business is a challenging proposition and these entrepreneurs have shown that they have stamina and smarts. Their efforts are one of the many reasons we supported this business development competition from North County Inc.,” said Kathy Siddens, community development manager for U.S. Bank.
U.S. Bank Foundation donated $75,000 to North County Inc. in the wake of the unrest in Ferguson and the damage done to businesses there, including broken windows at Corners Frameshop and loss of sales at all three Big Pitch winners. The Big Idea Pitch, was one of the economic development efforts that NCI organized to promote commerce in North St. Louis County.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our community and helping them grow is critical to the stability of the area. NCI is thankful that through our partnership with the Regional Business Council and U.S. Bank that we were able to help these small businesses take the next step toward success,” said Rebecca Zoll, President/CEO of North County Inc.
About NCI
North County Incorporated is a regional development organization, which acts as a catalyst to define and advocate economic and community development for North St. Louis County. NCI was established in 1977. The Board is composed of community leaders and business owners. Dan Boyle, Esq. of The Boyle Law Firm, is the current chairman.
About U.S. Bank
Minneapolis-based U.S. Bancorp (“USB”), with $416 billion in assets as of September 30, 2015, is the parent company of U.S. Bank National Association, the fifth largest commercial bank in the United States. The Company operates 3,151 banking offices in 25 states and 5,001 ATMs and provides a comprehensive line of banking, investment, mortgage, trust and payment services products to consumers, businesses and institutions. Visit U.S. Bancorp on the web at www.usbank.com.
