SBA Western PA District Office’s Post

Starting a Small Business Road Trip – SBA Western Pa is taking their successful So, You Want to Start a Small Business workshop to points north, south and east with Duquesne, Pittsburgh and Saint Francis universities SBDCs. From packed rooms to filled webinars, we’re sharing how we help entrepreneurs turn dreams into reality. Area SBA Microlenders are on hand too – showcasing their services to both startups and established small businesses. Watch for more seminars and webinars in your neighborhood.

  Hobby Becomes Western Pa. Award-Winning Business – SBA Western Pa. Deputy District Director Angel Marschik helped financial industry veteran James Hough toast his early retirement decision -- taking a shot transitioning his 10-year-old porch-distilled whiskey-making hobby into a small business. Today, Liberty Pole Spirits now is a Pennsylvania small-batch favorite pour, a thriving enterprise and the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Western Pa. Small Business of the Year.

SBW AWARD REVEALS AREA’S BEST-KEPT SECRET -- The SBA Western Pa District Office is spilling the beans on one of the area’s best-kept secrets. The PennWest Clarion Small Business Development Center is the district Center of the Year for 2024. For decades, the center’s handful of dedicated professionals worked behind the scenes helping regional manufacturers, eateries, wineries and farmers start and succeed. 

SBA Award Deemed Best Birthday Present -- Elissa Weimer celebrated her 35th birthday with SBA Western Pa. District Director Dr. Kelly Hunt. Weimer’s 11-year-old business, Paw & Order, was selected as the district’s Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year. Hunt, a veteran and dog owner, said she’s happy Elissa is helping dogs and their owners form those special and priceless relationships.

John Bongiovanni added SBA hardware to Bon Tool Company’s kit complementing the 8,000 varieties of non-powered hand tools his company crafts and distributes to contractors around the world. He collected honors from SBA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator John Fleming and District Director Dr. Kelly Hunt as the Western Pa, Pennsylvania and Region III Exporter of the Year. 

Mark Your Calendar! Talking Business with the SBA Live Webinar, May 1st, 1-2 pm Featuring Philip Yamalis, Internal Revenue Service   If you’re one of the millions of new small business startups or an established enterprise, you can get a head start on you 2025 taxes by joining our free, live webinar, May 1 from 1-2:00 p.m. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will share immediate takeaways all small business owners can implement. And, you’ll have the chance to ask your questions to IRS Representative Philip Yamalis.   Link to Join Us: https://lnkd.in/eMmbggEQ On our agenda: Resources & Tax Benefits for Small Business Choosing a Tax Professional Safeguarding information and watching out for tax-related scams Start Tax Season Planning Today Your Questions Answered

Dear Friends of IEE, It is with great sadness that I tell you that University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Director, Raymond Vargo, passed away today after a courageous 9 month battle with neuroendocrine cancer of the esophagus at the age of 53. Our sincerest condolences go to his wife, Chris, and his children Nicholas, Luke, Joshua and Mary. Ray joined the SBDC, part of the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence as a management consultant in 1995, hired by IEE founder Ann Dugan shortly after graduating from California University of Pennsylvania (MBA), and Penn State University (Accounting). Ann states “Ray wanted to focus his career on helping entrepreneurs be successful with his smart, humble and thoughtful approach with all he met. One can find in every corner of our region businesses that credit Ray having played an important role in their journey.” Ray was promoted to SBDC Director in 2007. Over the next 29 years, Ray achieved numerous awards and accolades for his accomplishments in economic development, culminating with the Pitt SBDC being named #1 in the country by the SBA in 2020-2021 for its work during the pandemic, which led Ray to being named a “Pitt Staff Hero.” In Ray’s own words “No matter if the University is open or closed, we found a way to address the needs of the small business community. The lives of so many individuals have been affected.” Several businesses that received assistance from Ray had received Pennsylvania’s Business of the Year award from the SBA, the highest possible. Eric Sauereisen, President of Sauereisen, Inc. & IEE board board member, says “Ray put us on the map in so many ways…he will be truly missed.” Sauereisen won SBA PA Exporter of the year in 2020 with Ray’s assistance. Most recently, Ray was awarded SBDC Director of the year in 2023 by the network of PA SBDCs, and the SBDC under his direction was named Regional Export Promotion Program Member of the Year by the Export-Import Bank of the United States. Personally, I have never seen a man more dedicated to his work. In his tenure at the University, Ray worked with more than 20,000 businesses across western Pennsylvania. The economic impact he provided was unfathomable. Not only was he a colleague, but he was a dear friend and mentor to not only myself, but also to others inside and outside of the University. It was a true honor to work with someone so inspirational to the mission of our organization. IEE Board member John Earnest states “It is hard to find the correct words for Ray. A good man fits, but does not convey the total of who Ray is.” The best summary of Ray’s purpose is in his own words, for which I will leave you with, “It’s become my passion, there’s nothing more rewarding than to help a business owner. I’m so proud of the effort and so honored to have the team that I do have.” Please join me in offering the Vargo family our condolences for their loss.

Morning Perk in Pittsburgh  – SBA Western Pa. District Director Dr. Kelly Hunt met with Dasawn Gray, owner of the Hazelwood Café. The young entrepreneur and former truck driver penned his business plan during his down time crisscrossing the county making deliveries. An SBA Microloan from Bridgeway Capital helped him realize his bean dream and now his café hosts special events fostering friendships over coffee, tea and goodies.

Celebrating the Season of Small Business – SBA Western Pa Deputy District Director Angel Marschik kicked off the Season of Small Business by shopping and dining small in downtown Irwin. Marschik, list in hand, purchased gifts for family and friends. Get in the spirit by supporting Main Street businesses this holiday season. 

Shop Small Awareness Hits Airwaves in Western Pa – District Director Dr. Kelly Hunt joined KDKA-TV Money Editor Jon Delano discussing the importance of supporting the region’s small business community on Small Business Saturday. Make it a point to shop and dine small throughout the year.