St. Louis Enterprise Center graduate Deb Aylsworth, Accent Fishing Products We help you grow your small business. Business Plan Competition Finance Programs Small Business Incubators Center for Business Growth Mentoring Seminars for Success Global Trade Assistance Business Incentives connect | www.slcec.com @STLCo_Growth 314.615.7663 CONTENTS ABOUT THE GUIDE No Mediocrity It may seem a bit silly, but there are special markers in business – anniversaries, retreats, special holidays. For us, the Best in Business - Annual Business Owners’ Guide has always been one of those markers. It also offers us the opportunity to IN BUSINESS celebrate old friends and bask in the greatness that St. Louis has to offer. It is a time for us to look back on the past year and reflect the feelings and thoughts of our dedicated readership. 3 The Best of With our Best of the Best in Business, the Best in we offer the collective wisdom and experience of the area’s serious Business business owners. The moniker of ‘Best of the Best’ should not be taken lightly. Entrepreneurs and business owners are You told us the best. We a fiercely independent and sometimes listened. So we have for hard to please bunch (you know who you you St. Louis’ Best of the are). Consequently, it is our contention Best in Business in 13 that this town keeps getting better and key categories. better. This guide you hold is our way of 3 Best Small Bank reflecting back the insights from our 4 Best Large Bank readers in a usable and quantifiable 8 Best Accounting Firm 10 Best in Reliability manner. There’s no reason to settle for 12 Best in Value mediocre when the best is right here. 14 Best Marketing Firm In our short profiles, you will also find 16 Best IT Firm advice from the best on what you can 18 Best in Quality do to have a successful 2013. 20 Best in Customer Service 22 Best Law Firm We encourage you to use the 24 Best Telecommunications collective wisdom of the St. Louis Firm business community and allow the 26 Best PR Firm experiences of others to guide your 28 Best Consulting Firm decisions in the future. Get to know 29 Best Credit Union the names and the people behind the numbers and what makes them the best. 30 Top 100 - Jeremy Nulik, editor People to St. Louis Small Business Monthly Know 30 We know that you More About Us know that it is who you know that can make you St. Louis Small Business Monthly is St. Louis’ locally Benjamin Akande, Webster University owned business publication, bringing business successful. Well. Here’s tips, strategies and analysis to the presidents, who you need to know. CEOs, owners and top executives of 19,000 businesses in the St. Louis Metropolitan region. SBM, founded in 1988, publishes every month St. Louis Small Business Monthly More Great Stuff and also provides information via the Internet at www.SBMon.com and through a variety of business-related forums. 2451 Executive Dr., Suite 109 | St. Charles, MO 63303 34 Programs for Financing 314.569.0076 phone | [email protected] | www.sbmon.com Your Business 36 Minority/Women Owned The St. Louis Small Business Monthly is available at no charge at over 300 locations throughout the Metro Businesses St. Louis area. Visit our website to find the location nearest you. To receive a copy directly by mail, send 40 Legal Cover design by STL-Style $21.50 for one year, $35.50 for two years or $45.50 for three years to the address above. www.stl-style.com © St. Louis Small Business Inc. 2012. All rights reserved. 45 Resources ““ KKeeeeppiinngg SStt.. LLoouuiiss iinn BBuussiinneessss”” SStt.. LLoouuiiss DDeevveellooppmmeenntt CCoorrppoorraattiioonn Business Development Real Estate Development Site Location Assistance Business Finance Business Incubators Rodney Crim, Executive Director 1015 Locust Street, Suite 1200 St. Louis, Missouri 63101 Office: 314.622.3400 FAX: 314.231.2341 http://stlouis.missouri.org Francis G. Slay, Mayor Because your business is so money... BEST SMALL BANK THREE TIPS TO THE BEST OF THE BEST GET FUNDING Commerce Bank What is something that few know about your industry? The banking industry in the United States gives custom- ers a lot more flexibility and freedom of choice than in other countries because the U.S. has about 7500 banks to choose from. It is surprising to many Americans that even prior to the Great Depression, the U.S. had over 20,000 active banks. The consolidation of banking into a few larger banks, however, is a long-term trend for this Alison Carmen, country. founder of Material Mix and recent recipi- To put this in perspective, from 1920 to 1980, Canada ent of angel funding, had only 11 banks. Due to regulatory changes permitting has three tips for busi- the entry of foreign competitors, there are now 72 banks. ness owners. But, the top six banks in Canada account for more than 90 per cent of the assets in the Canadian banking system. Sandy WaShington 1. Don’t give up. You In December 2011, the top five banks in the U.S. had 56 Senior Vice PreSident will hear “no” 100 percent, compared with 43 percent five years earlier. Small BuSineSS manager times before you hear “yes.” 8000 Forsyth Blvd. St. Louis 63105 314.726.2255 www.commercebank.com 2. Say yes to every opportunity. Go to every mixer, talk with every expert and follow up on THE TOP FINALISTS every referral. 3. Cultivate relation- ships. The organiza- Royal Banks of Missouri Business Bank of St. Louis tions that say no thanks on an invest- ment today may 8021 Olive Blvd. 800 Maryland Ave., Ste. 100 come around later St. Louis 63130 Clayton 63105 and will usually help 314.212.1650 314.721.8003 you get to the next www.royalbanksofmo.com www.bbstl.com opportunity if you ask for feedback and guidance. SBM 2012-13 Business Owners’ Guide 3 Why banks? Because that is where the money is. BEST LARGE BANK gEt thE THE BEST OF THE BEST BanKER to Say yES U.S. Bank Writing a business plan for your banker? Use this advice, and get one step closer to approval: What is something that few know about your industry? “Use realist 36-month revenue, gross profit Few people know how the regulatory and capital margins, expenses requirements have changed. It now costs banks and cash flow exponentially more to provide the same (or fewer) projections that are products and services for our customers. And, very supported by listing few banks in the St. Louis metro area were the cause their detail assump- of these changes, however we now must live with these tions. Be realistic on regulatory guidelines. how fast or slow sales will grow and what Our readers said you were the best of the best. kind of gross profit What does it take to be the best? margins you can get as a startup. Focus You have to listen to your customers and really know on the monthly and them. That way, you can be proactive and anticipate Sandy MCCandLESS accumulative cash their needs and create solutions. Senior Vice PreSident flow drain that you will experience in the 7th & Washington, 14th Floor St. Louis 63101 800.872.2657 www.usbank.com beginning, making sure that you have sufficient capital in the beginning to finance the cash flow requirements of the business.” THE TOP FINALISTS PNC Bank UMB Bank 120 S. Central 7911 Forsyth Blvd., Ste. 1 St. Louis 63105 St. Louis 63105 314.898.1343 314.889.4150 Chris McCoy, www.pncbank.com www.umb.com senior vice president, Regions Bank 4 SBM 2012-13 Business Owners’ Guide Helping create Crestmark can provide fl exible fi nancing solutions that grow as your business does...wherever you are in your business cycle whether you’re a start-up or a growth. well-established business. Our diverse products can help you manage growth, take advantage of opportunites, or even to make payroll. Some of our off erings: •• AAcscseotu-nbtass reedc leiniveasb olef fic rneadnitcing let mCea lkl nmowy ohfofi wc eI acnadn help! • Equipment fi nancing Mickey Moran 888.999.8050 | [email protected] L o c a l , R E L I A B L E , A F F O R D A B L E . 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Showcase Your Business to 1,000’s of Potential Customers FeatBuusirneesds B ank of St. Louis 3C1l4a.y7to21n. 86030130 5 | | 8 0b0b sMtl.acroymland Ave., Ste. 100 the Expo ST. LOUIS BUSINESS EXPO At the Show Carrollton Bank 314.965.4848 | 11710 Manchester Rd. Des Peres 63131 | carrolltonbanking.com Green Zone Area businesses thSatc caann thheilsp cyooud e to see how EEMMXXBBLLIIH2H2sAsABBsIsIsErsrBBo o HTHTgSgIIurouroTTEEShxrrAw Aw sAsAIodIdhTTT’T’hsEswEo1 cow,ia0fbsc 0Peai0o sYtt’eoes un YAorto ifBa tuuCl rCst iuunBhsseuttsooessm mitn oeEee r1srs,x 0ss 0pt0o’os gCLmfSioeraoemm rnGngsitetrn araefc aoegctrrnoess nr. uF&pcpoioce rrWos aC mCCtseiooeoixrannoonkrhgtscsmnr i hhacaboioccnnyimtnpFtodsgoist nrrgufeaoogdcrerrvt scbaesB.rmteaun t saa-hBiltnlne ae kuEsnsxk pgr oro ecwa.nd he lp 3S3S11tt..44 LL..78oo24uu63ii..ss27 66723375110502 58|| ||18 20 cc00oo40mn0 cF moToreerdssrsybcoteahnbn a BkFn.leckvrod.rcmy.o Rmd. A full day’s worth of seminars and workshops, allE denAsitgenretdp tr oi tsheehl pB ean kS &h Toruwst 314.725.5500 | 150 N. Meramec Ave. entrepreneurs grow their enter- Clayton 63105 | enterprisebank.com prises. Green Zone TSBhMe B rEeaSdTe rLsu cnFhcoiAhsfeerto ehtnah ebT BuhEsSiinTred ss eBs athnakt c a n help you 3S1t.4 L.8o8u9i.s3 6330100 5| 8|0 0503 .Mcoamryland Ave. businesses in St.g Loo Guisr eaennd. they EEMMXXBBLLIIH2H2sAsABBsIsIsrsrBSBo o HTHTggIIturouroTTEE.rrAw Aw sAsASOILdIdTTtT’T’.scEs EoCt ouhbaeirrls e1 s B8C ou1n1vsAeinMntio etnos Cs6e PnEtMexrpo wcNMnhhoeieleesulteos wrb tn. ooes.w orhknmoienner gsoo rHafe tFFtd aha piiCLmfSe asirrp terapa oessymamrren ntt egcHsa siitetpaCSn’ aorselafc uaoctghcttlirroaroeasao s p lnptr u Fv &lpepcbupoeyio unce rCrrsWo-s ai C -mLtsoiooeoiemrannnkragtscsmrf hhac aoioBcnnutnpdsganst rngfaiootckrvyt ses .rmB n aa-lnl k 6E6Im13d86pw.-6e4ar5r6id61asl.-0 6v61i2l32l3e025,5 I |2|L 6|660 28 2f01s124c 5b WG . c|o.o Osm hfiuerntset crR lRodv.d,e .rP l.eOaf.b Baonxk .5c4o0m A full day’s worth of seminars and Lending Speed Dating workshops, all designed to help Need a loan? Line of credit? Ad- Ask About AC FalRl ETEo dYaoyu ATnudb eR Pesreormveo Ytioounra lE Vxhidibeoit FBooro Ytho.u r Company vyoicuer fochr afnuctue rteo H fimnepeaenreniattscr reiwenstpig.tlrh?a e nanHreedeuar erB’ss garnowk t h eir enter- 6St3.6 L.5o1u2is.8 6730102 4 | | 2 1 h2e Sar. tClaenndt-rbaal nAkv.eco. Smte. 200 lenders. Bring in your financials 314.569.0076 and see what it wTilhl eta kBeE toS Tga iLnu ncheon www.stlouisbusinessexpo.com financing. MSbiuBdsMilna ernsesadeds eS rinst a cSthte.o ssL eoB uthaisen aBknEdS tTh ey 6C3h6e.s5t1e9rf.8ie8ld4 46 3 |0 0 157 1 |0 7 m Cihdelasntedrsftiealtdes Abairnpko.crot mRd., Ste. 160 Held Every Spring will be honored at a special lun- cheon. St. Louis Business Expo MidTEwPCAHReNTOsNLtEOR GBY ankCentre 314.631.5500 | 2191 Lemay Ferry Rd. Networking Happy Hour St. Louis 63125 | midwestbankcentre.com Octobaern 18d 1 1FAMal tlo 6 PM Meet some of the area’s top busi- ness owners at a special happy St. Charles Convention Center PhNoCur. Bank 314.898.1343 | 120 S. Central St. Louis 63105 | pnc.com Lending Speed Dating Need a loan? Line of credit? Ad- CCaalll TlCo dtaoy aAdndla Rlye se Trave nYoodur d Erxheaibisty eBorotvh.e vice for future financing? Here’s Ask About A FREE YouTube Promotional Video For Your Company Pyuoluars ckhia Bncae ntok meet with area 314.878.2210 | 12300 Olive Blvd. lenders. Bring in your financials Creve Coeur 63141 | pulaskibankstl.com yAounr3 1ed4x. h5R6ib9e.i0ts 0be7o6rovthe. and see what it will take to gain financing. www.stlouisbusinessexpo.com Royal Banks of Missouri 314.212.1500 | 8021 Olive Blvd. St. Louis 63130 | royalbanksofmo.com Ask about a FREE YouTube Your Exhibit TECHNOLOGY Stifel Bank & TruPAsRtTNER 314.317.6900 | 955 Executive Parkway Dr., Ste. 216 promotional video St. Louis 63141 | stifelbank.com Booth for your company. UMB Bank 314.889.4150 | 7911 Forsyth Blvd., Ste. 1 St. Louis 63105 | umb.com 314.569.0076 U.S. Bank 800.872.2657 | 7th & Washington, 14th Floor St. Louis 63101 | usbank.com www.stlouisbusinessexpo.com St. Louis Business Exam, Question #11 Why advertise in St. Louis Small Business Monthly? Because you: A. understand the importance of thriving local businesses B. can’t wait until the Spring and Fall St. Louis Business Expos C. want to leverage the buying power of 70,000 business owners OD. are smart with your marketing dolla rs A + Scan this code to learn how exhibiting at E. ALL OF THE ABOVE G re at J o b ! the Expo can help your business grow. sbmon.com • 314.569.0076 6 SBM 2012-13 Business Owners’ Guide Your source... for accounting, tax and consulting services RubinBrown services are Thank you grounded in professional vision St. Louis for and understanding of our selecting clients’ goals. RubinBrown as one of the Best RubinBrown. It’s our name. Accounting But our clients know it means Firms! personal service backed by experience, integrity, and value. Denver • Kansas City • St. Louis www.rubinbrown.com Know Thy Numbers and Know Thy Business BEST ACCOUNTING FIRM Stay CLoSE THE BEST OF THE BEST to yoUR adViSoRS Brown Smith Wallace St. Louis Small Business Monthly’s 2012 Top Small Business Accoun- tants shared their top What is the brightest spot you see in the St. Louis advice for your business. economy? Here are a few words of We are seeing a new breed of entrepreneur in this lean wisdom to remember: economy. Business owners who were strong enough to start new businesses, or survive and thrive with an existing company will continue to create economic opportunity in our area. Our readers said you were the best of the best. What does it take to be the best? It sure helps to have great clients – and a great team to serve them! On a skills basis, critical thinking “Stay close to your ad- -- creative and financial -- is essential to success. visers and utilize their Generate, test and adapt new ideas, then analyze the KaREn StERn expertise. Do not forget successes and failures. Be flexible. Don’t continue to memBer-in-charge your success formula,” do what you’ve always done if it’s not working. BSW Small BuSineSS SerViceS llc Bradley Faerber, man- aging partner, Lopata, Flegel & Co. LLP 1050 North Lindbergh Blvd. St. Louis 63132 314.983.1200 www.bswllc.com THE TOP FINALISTS Anders Minkler Diehl RubinBrown “Don’t put off what you should do today 705 Olive St. 1 N. Brentwood Blvd. until tomorrow,” St. Louis 63101 Clayton 63105 314.655.5500 314.290.3300 Brian Bredensteiner, www.amdcpa.com www.rubinbrown.com owner, Bredensteiner & Associates PC. 8 SBM 2012-13 Business Owners’ Guide