Live, Laugh, Love Learning Center

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Live, Laugh, Love Learning Center
Jeramie and Bray Felton of Live, Laugh, Love Learning Center
Owning a business was a goal of Jeramie and Bray Felton of Hoxie, Arkansas. When a local child care center came up for sale, they knew it was time to make the leap. The Felton’s were referred to Center Director Laura Miller at the Arkansas State University Small Business and Technology Development Center by lenders at Arkansas Capital Corporation. They were working with Arkansas Capital Corporation to secure a SBA guaranteed loan for the business purchase. Miller provided market research to help the Felton’s learn more about their competition and the demographics of the area surrounding the business. She reviewed their business plan and worked with them to prepare financial projections. Throughout the loan process, she continued to work closely with them to help them provide the information requested by their lender. [Read more…]

Custom Aircraft Cabinets Success Story Featured on the SBA Website

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Custom Aircraft CabinetsFrom SBA.gov:

Paul Reesnes and Michael Gueringer, co-owners of Custom Aircraft Cabinets, are the 2014 Arkansas Small Business Persons of the Year.

Like many American success stories, Custom Aircraft Cabinets, Inc. (CAC) originated from humble beginnings. In 1989, co-owners Paul Reesnes and Michael Gueringer discovered a niche market and began custom-building aircraft cabinets in the garage at Gueringer’s family home in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Their philosophy back then as well as today is three fold: Treat each customer and employee honestly and with integrity, deliver exceptional quality products priced fairly, and exceed all expectations in customer service. [Read more…]

Arkansas Capital Corporation Is Pleased to Showcase the Work of Matt McLeod, Tod Swiecichowski and Robert Bean

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2nd Friday Art NightThe Arkansas Capital Corporation Group (ACCG) is dedicated to helping small businesses and entrepreneurs throughout Arkansas succeed. Arkansas artists are certainly entrepreneurs. In 2013, ACCG began showcasing the work of Arkansas artists in our offices and began hosting open houses open to the public to help support the artists, as well as provide our community of staff, clients and visitors with a chance to be inspired by the art and be able to network at our offices as part of downtown Little Rock’s 2nd Friday Art Night. We are continuing that successful public-artist venture with the September 12th Friday Art Night with works by Matt McLeod, Tod Swiecichowski and Robert Bean in a show titled “Bold Contrasts.” Robert Bean is also the show curator. Whether you are interested in learning more about the many lending products or just need a little visual inspiration, please stop by our offices Friday, September 12 from 5-8 p.m. Light hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be served. The artists will all be at the event to discuss their work, and all work is for sale with proceeds directly benefiting the artist. [Read more…]

Arkansas Capital Corporation Board Announces Staff Promotions

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The board of the Arkansas Capital Corporation Group is pleased to announce the promotion of several employees within the organization. Sam Walls III has been promoted to president and chief operating officer of Arkansas Capital Corporation (ACC) with overall responsibility for all of the organization. Leslie Lane has been promoted to president and chief operating officer of ACC affiliate divisions. Within the ACC lending division, Al Hodge was promoted to executive vice president of lending; Sandra Hairston was promoted to executive vice president of servicing; and Bert King was promoted to senior vice president of servicing. [Read more…]

Arkansas Capital Corporation Is Pleased to Showcase the Work of Spencer Jansen, Sandra Sell and Matthew Gore

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2nd Friday Art Night The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group (ACCG) is dedicated to helping small businesses and entrepreneurs throughout Arkansas succeed. Arkansas artists are certainly entrepreneurs. In 2013, ACCG began showcasing the work of Arkansas artists in our offices and began hosting open houses open to the public to help support the artists, as well as provide our community of staff, clients and visitors with a chance to be inspired by the art and be able to network at our offices as part of downtown Little Rock’s 2nd Friday Art Night. We are continuing that successful public-artist venture with the June 13th Friday Art Night with works by Spencer Jansen, Sandra Sell, and Matthew Gore in a show titled “Texture, Color and Shape.” The show is being curated by Robert Bean. Whether you are interested in learning more about the many lending products or just need a little visual inspiration, please stop by our offices Friday, June 13 from 5-8 p.m. Light hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be served. The artists will all be at the event to discuss their work, and all work is for sale with proceeds directly benefiting the artist. [Read more…]

Winners of the 2014 Donald W. Reynolds Tri-State Competition Named

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BioBotic Solutions Takes Second Place Undergraduate Award

Second Place, Undergraduate — BioBotic Solutions, University of Arkansas & Hendrix College
Second Place, Undergraduate — BioBotic Solutions, University of Arkansas & Hendrix College

The Arkansas Economic Acceleration Foundation, an affiliate of The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group, is pleased to announce BioBotic Solutions with team members from University of Arkansas and Hendrix College took second place in the Donald W. Reynolds Tri-State Award competition. The competition was held at The Mirage of Las Vegas.

In the undergraduate track, Owlpal Healthcare from the University of Tulsa took first place. In the graduate track, Dragonfly Energy from University of Nevada, Reno, was awarded first place, and Driven Analytics from University of Oklahoma, Norman, was awarded second place. First place winners took home a $30,000 cash prize, a team trophy and individual plaques. The second place winners received a $20,000 prize, a trophy and individual plaques. The team’s’ faculty advisors each earned a $3,500 check. [Read more…]

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) selects Capital Business Machines as the Family-Owned Business of the Year

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Capital Business Machines logoCapital Business Machines, which began its existence since 1929 as Capital Typewriter Company on Main Street in downtown Little Rock, is owned by the Rogers Family, including Brett Rogers, president of the firm, along with his father, Bill, and two brothers, Byron and Bryce. In the fall of 2000, the Rogers family acquired Capital Business Machines with the mission of continuing to provide Arkansas with quality products and excellent customer service. Today, Capital Business Machines continues to offer the latest business technology to customers throughout the state and employs 16 in the daily operations.

Capital Business Machines
Capital Business Machines
Capital Business Machines is a growing and profitable business. This has been accomplished through the success of their efforts to attract more customers, excellent customer service and a consistent calling effort on commercial businesses and municipalities in the greater Little Rock area that want to acquire or have serviced business machines, i.e. computers, copiers, fax machines, etc. Operating in a leased facility for 10-plus years in Little Rock, the company was able to acquire its own nearby building in Little Rock with the assistance of the SBA 504 loan through Six Bridges Capital Corporation, a Certified Development Company in partnership with the Arkansas Capital Corporation Group. This new headquarters provides the company with a modern facility and added space to accommodate future growth. This investment demonstrates the company’s long-term commitment to remain in Little Rock and contribute to the growth of the community. [Read more…]

2014 Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup Winners Announced

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Winners of the 2014 Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup Collegiate Business Plan Competition that is managed by The Arkansas Economic Acceleration Foundation, an affiliate of The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group, were announced at a luncheon hosted at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, AR on April 9, 2014. Craig O’Neill, news anchor for THV11, served as the master of ceremonies for the event, which hosted approximately 760 business leaders, students, educators and supporters from across the state for the 14th annual Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup. This year, 36 teams submitted business plans from 13 colleges and universities from across Arkansas for a chance to win a share of the $154,000 prize pool. First and second place winners of the undergraduate and graduate teams will compete against the top two teams from Nevada and Oklahoma for the Donald W. Reynolds Tri-State Award in May, where they will be competing to win a share of the $118,000 prize pool.

The 2014 Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup winners are: [Read more…]

2014 Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup Awards Luncheon Scheduled April 9

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Donald W. Reynolds Governor's CupWho: The Arkansas Capital Corporation and The Arkansas Economic Acceleration Foundation, which manages the  Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup, invite the media to attend the event for photo and interview opportunities. Lunch will be provided. What: 2014 Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup Awards Luncheon When: April 9, 2014 at 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Where: Wally Allen Ballroom, Statehouse Convention Center, Little Rock, Ark. Why: The Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup is a statewide collegiate business plan competition. This year, 36 teams submitted business plans from 13 colleges and universities from across Arkansas in hopes of winning a portion of the $154,000 prize pool. Winners announced at the luncheon go on to compete in the Tri-State competition in Las Vegas, Nevada, in May with cash prizes of $118,000. Governor Mike Beebe will be speaking at the event. [Read more…]

2014 Arkansas Small Business Person of the Year

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Paul Reesnes and Mike Gueringer Custom Aircraft Cabinets
Mike Gueringer, left, and Paul Reesnes, co-owners of Custom Aircraft Cabinets. (Photo by Jason Burt)

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recently selected the owners of Custom Aircraft Cabinets, Inc., of North Little Rock as the 2014 Small Business Person of the Year for Arkansas. Custom Aircraft Cabinets is co-owned by Paul Reesnes and Mike Gueringer.

“Your hard work, innovative ideas, and dedication to your community have helped you succeed,” said Fred Baldassaro, assistant administrator, Office of Communications & Public Liaison, U.S. SBA. “The SBA is pleased to recognize your achievements and your role in driving our nation’s economic growth.” Each year since 1963, the president has issued a proclamation calling for the celebration of National Small Business Week (NSBW). NSBW recognizes outstanding small business owners for their personal successes and contributions to our nation. According to the SBA, more than half of Americans who work either own or work for a small business.  [Read more…]

2014 Youth Business Plan Competition Winners Announced

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4th Year of Youth Entrepreneur Showcase 2.0 Business Plan Statewide Competition for Ninth through Twelfth Grade Students

Arkansas Economic Acceleration Foundation (AEAF), an affiliate of The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group, today announced the winners of the Youth Entrepreneur Showcase 2.0 (Y.E.S 2.0) statewide youth business plan competition for grades ninth through twelfth. Today’s winners were chosen in the categories of Best Business Plan and Most Innovative. The competition included 43 teams from seven high schools across Arkansas. Y.E.S. 2.0 students from across the state work in small groups, led by their teacher advisors, to develop and market a business concept. The winners in the two competition categories are as follows: [Read more…]