Vibrant Businesses
Words by Julia Paulus Ogilive, Photos by Bill Sawalich
On a rainy St. Louis Spring day, we gathered up some of the most creative and exciting minds in the region at Tower Grove Park. Their business represent a wide variety of industries from solar panels to ink cartridges. Their backgrounds include everything from firefighting to door-to-door sales. Their ideas of success and business goals are as varied as there are numbers of them.
However, as they all one-by-one showed up to the park, something became evident. They had perhaps one thing in common that is more significant than business plans or financial projections - an earnest desire to innovate the way their respective industries do business.
Much like the rain on that typical muggy St. Louis day, their combined youthful passion adds a vibrancy and needed refreshment to our region. What follows on these pages are the stories and pieces of advice from the entrepreneurs that bring new life to the business community.
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Why this business owner is happier than you
Words by Julia Paulus, Photos by Bill Sawalich
What started out a few years ago as a simple blog project for Angela Ortmann has now evolved into a full-fledged, fast-growing business, STLwinegirl, a wine consulting and event planning company. By ruthlessly sticking to her passion, she has created success and, more importantly, she looks forward to each day and the many challenges that the entrepreneurial life brings.
Ortmann and the other Top Young Entrepreneurs in this section exemplify a kind of brash and raw entrepreneurship. Traditionally, St. Louis is seen as a region that is afraid of change. But, Ortmann and our other Top Young Entrepreneurs are bucking that trend by unapologetically following their passion and showing a penchant for business that is usually reserved for their elder colleagues.
Take a look at our area's entrepreneurial rising stars and spark your passion. (Click names to see full story)
Kevin Tibbs & Tim Barklage, Better Life
Jason Shupp, Ferguson Roofing
Jay Siefert, Studio Element
Angela Ortmann, STLwinegirl
Taran Hensley, Mom's Originals
David Siteman Garland, The Rise to the Top
Jeff & Randy Vines, STL-Style
Jeremy Jacobs, Fitness Plus, Fitness Repair Parts
Kelly Hamilton, ALIVE Magazine
Brad Cassity, Curas
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The New Breed
Energetic, irreverent and wise beyond their years. Learn from St. Louis' Top Toung Entrepreneurs.
Joe Sullivan and Jon Franko - Gorilla 76
Lauren Herring - IMPACT Group
Katie Lee - Katie's Pizzeria
Derek Weber - goBrandgo
JoAnna Dettmann & Kaysha Kalkofen - tSunela