Food & Beverage | MO.com on www

May17

“We strive not to make a religion out of an individual idea — we have to let go if it does not work.”

Sam Lundin

Vimbly

CEO

http://www.Vimbly.com

Sam Lundin was an investor in technology companies at an $8 billion hedge fund, with a focus on the Internet space. In 2011, he switched from investing to operating when he launched Vimbly.to fix a personal pet peeve — the amount of time he would lose when researching & booking recreational activities.

Vimbly shows open time slots for activities, classes, & date ideas by different businesses on a single page and lets users book directly. These activities include dance, cooking, glassblowing, pizza making, wine tasting, intro to cigars, learning to DJ, improv, scotch pairing, samurai sword fighting, persuasion class, and hundreds more.

MO: How did you come up with the concept for Vimbly?

May9

No Comments

“My clients come to me looking for an expert and someone to create events that are sometimes once in a lifetime, so it must be perfect.”

Anne Churchill

AnnaBelle Events & Rentals

Owner & Event Planner

http://www.AnnaBelleEvents.com

Anne Churchill is known locally in Columbia, Missouri as the go-to event and wedding planner and expert. She has a passion for planning flawless events and creating one of a kind event designs. Anne started her business in 2010 and now holds eight years of event planning experience and a Bachelors Degree from Columbia College. As the Owner & Event Planner of AnnaBelle Events & Rentals, she leads a team of professional and experienced Event Assistants.

AnnaBelle Events & Rentals is located in the North Village Art District of downtown Columbia, in Studio 107. The company focuses on planning corporate events, social occasions and weddings throughout Missouri. The company’s work continues to be recognized, most recently AnnaBelle Events & Rentals received the 2013 Bride’s Choice Award placing the company among the top 5% of wedding professionals nationally. In 2012 AnnaBelle Events & Rentals was named the Best Event Designer in Missouri by the Wedding Industry Experts annual awards. In addition to coordination and design services the company offers their clients an inventory of rentals, providing endless options and the ability to achieve the latest trends and styles.

Gus: What local resources were of most useful when launching your company?

May8

No Comments

“The extra care and attention that we paid to the creation of each chocolate bar from the recipe to the hand-painted design has been a true advantage to us. Since chocolate is such a crowded area of the food business this extra attention and differentiation has helped us to stand out and convey our message.”

Anne Shaeffer

Sulpice Chocolat

Founder

http://www.SulpiceChocolat.com

Founded by Chef Anne Shaeffer, Sulpice Chocolat is a Chicago-based artisan chocolate house specializing in the world’s FIRST designer, painted chocolate bars.

From their use of the finest truffle-quality chocolate to the unique flavor profiles created by their classically trained master chocolatier, Anne Shaeffer, Sulpice Chocolat does not compromise on quality. Each one of their chocolate creations is not only kosher, but is inspired by Anne’s days as a pastry chef where she would create unforgettable plated desserts. Ultimately, her passion for chocolate guided her decision to create astoundingly delicious chocolate bars accessible to everyone. Finally, no experience is complete without a striking visual component. By being the world’s first team to individually hand-paint each of our chocolate bars, Sulpice Chocolat elevates its sumptuous creations to an art form.

MO: Where does your passion for creating unique and elegant treats come from?

Apr24

No Comments

“ If your inside operations can’t keep pace with the flow of traffic and orders, it can be disastrous.”

Dan Dillon

CleanItSupply.com

President

http://www.CleanItSupply.com

CleanItSupply.com is a wholesale janitorial supply company which is a fast growing business with headquarters located in Jeffersonville, PA. They remain as committed as ever to providing their customers with top quality service and discounted janitorial supplies, restaurant supplies and office supplies.

MO: How did you get your start in the janitorial supply industry?

Apr18

No Comments

“We entrepreneurs have our skills and talents, without those we could not launch our new ideas into a business.”

Shari Wynne

Incubation Station

Founder & CEO

http://www.TheIncubationStation.com

Shari Wynne is the Founder and CEO of Incubation Station (IS), an accelerator created to help build diversified industries in Austin and to support the success of entrepreneurs and their companies. Ms. Wynne is also a Founder and CEO of MWR Legal, a law firm representing and connecting entrepreneurs, investors, start-ups and emerging companies. Shari focuses her practice on legal-related business growth and development matters, and connection to critical resources. She also founded 6Degrees Connect a referral match company. She is an active member of the entrepreneurial eco-system, has served on numerous boards and committees helping companies achieve success and is the former President of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) Austin chapter.

Incubation Station is an accelerator that brings together a group of Austin notable entrepreneurs, investors and advisors for the purpose of mentoring high-potential, market-validated consumer product companies to more effectively manufacture, distribute, market and grow their products and services.

MO: What inspired you to launch the Incubation Station and how has your background and experience prepared you for such an endeavor?

Apr9

No Comments

“I am living The American Dream, I utilized skills from my previous career as an advertising executive, I worked hard and long, I was innovative in my launch of The Cheese Impresario by working with the Oscars. I am following my passion for something I truly love and, I am successful and have never been happier.”

Barrie Lynn

The Cheese Impresario

Founder

http://www.TheCheeseImpresario.com

Barrie Lynn is a nationally known cheese expert, cheese writer, cheese educator, cheese + beverage pairing expert and cheese entertainer. She travels the country for trade shows, conferences, private and corporate events and sales trainings. Barrie was even brought to Kraft to present her take on artisanal cheeses for their (300+) cheese team.

MO: Where does your love and passion and cheese come from?

Mar8

No Comments

“Leaders have responsibilities to their followers.”

Thomas Walter

Tasty Catering

CEO

http://ThomasJWalter.com/

Tasty Catering, a suburban-Chicago based corporate catering and event planning services company, has been exceeding the catering needs of Chicago area corporations and organizations for more than 20 years. Known for its commitment to excellence and attention to detail, Tasty Catering is built upon the single premise of providing its customers with exceptional service and quality. Tasty Catering customers include Abbott, American Airlines, CDW, Harris Bank, Mortenson Construction, Navistar, RSM McGladrey, Sherman Hospital and University of Chicago.

MO: How did you initially get into the catering business? What are some of the key changes that you’ve witnessed in the industry over the past 20 years?

Mar8

No Comments

“I’ve bootstrapped every business that I’ve created. Jackrabbit Janitorial started off with a bucket of cleaning supplies and a couple hundred dollars.”

Kyle Clayton

Awesome Cookie Company

Founder

http://www.AwesomeCookieCompany.com

Kyle Clayton started his first business, Jackrabbit Janitorial, in 2008 during his last two years in college. Having a ‘real’ job wasn’t an option with his school schedule, so he took a leap and went on his own. By the time Kyle accepted his diploma, he had created a full-time job for himself, eliminating the typical post-grad job hunt. For the last 5 years he has had success and launched a total of 4 new companies based in Phoenix, AZ. His most recent, launched in 2012 is a cookie company.

Awesome Cookie Company is an artisanal cookie company specializing in high quality ingredients and unique varieties. One cookie recipe got this company started, their Famous Cranberry Oatmeal. In 2010, Kyle started giving these cranberry oatmeal cookies to his family and clients of his other company. After two years of these unique gifts, his family and clients wanted more. So with two business partners, they started Awesome Cookie Company.

MO: Can you talk about the process of starting with a single cookie recipe used for family gifts and in 30 days created a company around it?

Mar1

No Comments

“Basically, we said to ourselves, we know this business, we’ve done it. Why don’t we stop making money for other people, and start making money for ourselves?”

TaNeá Graves & Kasey Green

G2 Gallery, Catering & Events

Partners

http://www.G2Gallery.net

TaNeá Graves has a background in events planning and marketing, as well as a degree in Hotel/Restaurant Management. TaNeá is the Events Coordinator for G2 Gallery, and handles the company’s Marketing and PR. TaNeá’s commitment to G2′s customers and the Jefferson City community has helped G2 Gallery grow into the successful and prestigious event center that it is today.

With nearly 20 years of food service experience, Kasey Green is the Executive Chef and Chief Operations Officer for G2 Gallery. Kasey is responsible for creating the menus and preparing the delectable meals for thousands of G2 Gallery customers each year. Kasey’s extensive knowledge of the industry, preparation techniques, and versatility have allowed G2 Gallery to consistently deliver quality food and services.

G2 Gallery, Catering & Events is a private event center, specializing in unique, upscale events at affordable prices. Located in the heart of downtown Jefferson City, Missouri, G2 Gallery is housed in the renovated Lohman Opera House, with 22 foot high ceilings and ornate architecture.

MO: How did the two of you meet and what inspired you to launch a business together?

Feb18

No Comments

“While personal interaction does not create as many impressions as traditional advertising, the impressions that it creates are much more meaningful and effective.”

John Nickel

Switch

CEO

http://LiberateYourBrand.com

John Nickel oversees experiential operations including project management and all in-house production services at Switch. His formative years track back to being a lighting designer, meeting and events producer for dozens of major corporations. John boasts 35+ years of experience in almost every phase of creative development, production, production management and operations. John is an active St. Louis philanthropist and believes in giving back to his local community including committee positions for Arts & Education, Christmas in St. Louis, Variety the Children’s Charity, Junior Achievement, Webster University, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, amongst others.

Switch is an independently-held, experiential marketing agency working with companies and brands who share a belief in the power of engagement to drive behavior-changing results. Switch specializes in brand and sponsorship activation programs, field marketing, digital media, consumer and corporate events.

Gus: What are some ways that you help your clients liberate their brand from the chains of mass media (television, radio, and print), and help them make person to person contact with their target audience?

Feb5

No Comments

“Gift cards are lame. Send drinks and be social, Have 1 On Me!”

Marco Aponte

Have 1 On Me

CEO

http://www.1onMe.com

Marco Aponte is the CEO of Have 1 On Me. Marco has had extensive experience with growing businesses which include LFR Communications in Atlanta, Georgia. LFR was an authorized retailer of AT&T Wireless Service and located the metro Atlanta area. More recently, Marco has been involved in the restaurant business as a Wine Director in the bay area which has given him the beverage expertise and exposure to the strategic partners who will support his most recent venture.

Have 1 On Me is a social gifting application that allows you to send real drinks to friends anywhere. With Have 1 On Me users can send a 6-pack of beer for a friend’s birthday, a bottle of wine to celebrate an anniversary or a cocktail to say congrats all from your mobile phone.

MO: How did you come up with the idea for Have 1 On Me?

Page 1 of 512 3 4 5 »

Spotlight Interview: Gordon Logan

Spotlight Interview: David Allen

Spotlight Interview: Chris Babel

“We strive not to make a religion out of an individual idea — we have to let go if it does not work.”

“My clients come to me looking for an expert and someone to create events that are sometimes once in a lifetime, so it must be perfect.”

“ If your inside operations can’t keep pace with the flow of traffic and orders, it can be disastrous.”

“We entrepreneurs have our skills and talents, without those we could not launch our new ideas into a business.”

“Leaders have responsibilities to their followers.”

“Basically, we said to ourselves, we know this business, we’ve done it. Why don’t we stop making money for other people, and start making money for ourselves?”

MO Partners

Follow us on Twitter

Subscribe

MO.com Best Places to Work!

Some Notable Past Interviews

Our Interviews By Area: