Success Stories

A picture of September Myres

Situation

Raised on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation in Idaho and taught to respect the land, September Myres started Sundnce Consulting, Inc. in 2005 to provide solutions to environmental issues resulting from Department of Defense activities on tribal lands.  She found initial success with consecutive Native American Lands Environmental Mitigation Program (NALEMP) contracts; and, Army Corps of Engineers contracts providing remediation, environmental consulting  and records management services.  Howevever, she felt there were stereotypes related to being a Native American woman.  Some clientele did not believe she could do the work required in a timely and efficient manner.

 

Solution

In 2008, Sundance was certified into the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program, nine-year certification program that helps small, disadvantaged businesses compete in the federal marketplace.  The program enabled Myres to strategically grow her company to become a... Read More

A picture of Enrique Contreras and Ana Paz

Enrique’s Mexican Restaurant in Kuna has captured the hearts and appetites of the Treasure Valley communities.  Enrique Contreras and Ana Paz have owned their restaurant since 1999.  Originally known as El Gallo Giro the couple renamed the restaurant Enrique’s in 2014.  The restaurant’s success can be attributed to the strong community support offered by Contreras and Paz, not to mention the welcoming, family atmosphere that permeates from staff to customer.  A true gem of Kuna, Enrique’s Mexican Restaurant was built with hard work and unrelenting ambition.

As a child, Contreras began to develop his business acumen at his parent’s restaurant in Mexico.  He gained valuable experience that established the foundation for success in his own restaurant.  “I have experience in all positions.  I have been a busser, server, bartender, prep and line cook, kitchen manager, and ultimately general manager,” said... Read More

Dee Spainhower

Dee Spainhower has passion!  In a field that can make many people cringe, she has found joy and purpose.  Precision Accounting & Tax Service, LLC is nestled in the heart of Caldwell, Idaho where it services a diverse population with more than just accounting.  Precision Accounting covers the entire gamete of accounting but the main focus is educating customers.

 At seventeen-years-old, Dee Spainhower took her first Consumer Economics class in high school; she immediately fell in love with accounting.  “I knew this was what I wanted to do.  I kept thinking I can do this from my house,” said Dee.  What seemed like a childhood dream became a reality driven by a passion for accounting and the pleasure of helping others.

 After completing college, Dee started her career while homeschooling her daughter.  Dee was able to relate to her clients on a personal level and build trust—“We don’t just ask people drop off their information, we actually sit down with them to... Read More

Patick_Nauman

Boise, Idaho – Patrick Nauman, co-owner of Weiser Classic Candy has been named the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2015 Idaho Small Business Person of the Year.  Nauman was nominated for the award by Sandy Anderson, executive director of Buy Idaho in Boise, Idaho.

Since Patrick Nauman and Keith Bryant purchased Weiser Classic Candy in 2007, the store has averaged 11% growth in annual sales.  Over the same timeframe, Weiser Classic Candy has more than doubled their number of employees from 7 to 15.  They have grown their wholesale business from 6 accounts to over 150 stores throughout the United States and Canada.  One of the driving factors in this growth is the creation of new products for their customers.  Some of these new concoctions include Idaho Chocolate Chips (chocolate dipped potato chips), chocolate dipped bacon, Idaho Sweet Taters (fudge in the shape of a baked potato), and Huckleberry Heaven (fresh Idaho huckleberries whipped with white chocolate and then... Read More

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