Washington Wild Things' Chris Sidick Named Young Entrepreneur of the Year

News Release


PITTSBURGH DISTRICT OFFICE

Release Date: May 13, 2011 Contact: Janet Heyl (412) 395-6560, ext. 103

Release Number: PGH11-10 Janet.Heyl@sba.gov

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Hometown minor league franchise player hits home run –

as SBA’s regional and local Young Entrepreneur of the Year

WASHINGTON, PA – Centerfielder Chris Sidick owns virtually every offensive record for the Washington Wild Things baseball team, including games, at-bats, hits, runs, triples, walks and stolen bases.

This May Sidick hit a double with the U.S. Small Business Administration when, as sole managing member of C-Side Sports Academy, LLC, he was selected as SBA Region III Young Entrepreneur of the Year and the Western Pennsylvania District Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

Like the other 68 district winners, his nomination was forwarded to his regional office – in this case Region 3, which comprises 7 districts; Delaware, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia – where he became the regional winner.

Sidick has been playing baseball and football, and has wrestled, since he was four years old. However, the high-school standout only received a letter of interest to play football from Marietta College in Ohio. “I played four years of football, but also walked onto the baseball team and was selected All-American in both,” he said. “I majored in business management with a minor in sports management.”

After graduating in 2005, Sidick was approached by the Pittsburgh River Rats to play arena football and the Washington Wild Things. He signed with the Wild Things and has played centerfield/leadoff hitter ever since. He currently holds the distinction of being the only local player on the roster.

However, Sidick noted that baseball is only a summer occupation and soon he found himself without revenue for eight months of the year. “It was my third year out of college and I said to myself that I had to find a way to make some money during the offseason,” he stated. “One fan asked me to train his kid and that snowballed into five kids. I truly enjoyed helping the young players, but I had nowhere to train them.”

He asked his parents if he could use their garage and invested $700 for a batting cage.

“I had to open up a credit card and this was a huge investment for me because I was only living on $20 month and saving the rest…living with my parents and driving my grandmother’s car,” Sidick said. “I’ve always had great coaches throughout my career, so teaching was easy for me – paying for the batting cage was hard.”

By the next year, his clientele was growing and Sidick moved from his parents’ garage to a rented garage that cost him $1,000 each month. But he saw an opportunity to fix the garage for a rent reduction and was given a batting cage. With almost 50 kids to coach, Sidick turned to the University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to formulate a business plan and rent yet a larger space.

“During that summer when I played ball, I saved every penny and wrote the business plan by hand during our bus rides; we play 96 games in 100 days so I had the time,” he explained. “My goal was to get a $50,000 loan.”

Sidick’s vision for his baseball complex was a large field complimented by two batting cages.

Without a loan, he spent $80,000 on netting and turf by using a small credit line and bargaining power. Meanwhile, he still was responsible for rent, but his complex was filled once again and he began looking for a larger facility

“I had college, high school and youth teams renting out the space but I hated paying rent, so I revamped my business plan to get $1 million from a bank and was approved for almost that amount,” Sidick said. “I needed land to build my new facility, so I went door-to-door asking people if they would sell me their land.”

Not only did Sidick find property, but also an investor. “I was approached by a financier who wanted to be a partner, and that made sense because since I started my business, I’ve been the plumber, the janitor, the electrician and the tax man,” he explained. “A partner allows me to concentrate on training and marketing.”

Sidick is awaiting approval for his new facility, which would house a full-size NCAA regulation infield and offer additional sports such as football, soccer and laser tag. “This will be at 27,000 sq. ft. facility, and utilizing the large turf area is limited only by my imagination.”

Sidick admitted that winning an award from the SBA was gratifying because in four years his business has thrived in a bad economy. “It was great to win,” he added, “I don’t consider my job work and love talking to kids about sports and staying healthy.”

According to Carl Knoblock, Western Pennsylvania SBA district director, Sidick’s success is linked to his passion for baseball. He’s doing something he loves and is helping young people hone their skills in a sport they love,” Knoblock said. “He’s paid attention to his competition and the needs of athletes in the region and created a following for his services.”

Sidick and eight other local small business owners and advocates will be lauded at the Western Pennsylvania SBA May 27th Awards Luncheon which will be held at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel Pittsburgh. The luncheon is held in conjunction with the 48th annual celebration of National Small Business Week. Once the festivities begin, the public can “attend” Small Business Week events virtually, via the SBA’s streaming video on the Web at http://www.nationalsmallbusinessweek.com/webcast.php

Note: If you would like to speak with Chris Sidick or Carl Knoblock, Western Pennsylvania SBA district director, please contact Janet Heyl at 412-395-6560, ext. 103

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SBA Honors Eileen Melvin, Small Business Exporter of the Year

Release Date: May 12, 2011 Contact: Janet Heyl (412) 395-6560, ext. 103

Release Number: PGH11-09 Janet.Heyl@sba.gov

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SBA honors Small Business Exporter of Year

Local woman embraces technology and quality craftsmanship,

wins SBA’s regional and local award

JOHNSTOWN, PA – Not many families would acquire a portion of a struggling manufacturer to ensure economic development near their hometown, but that’s exactly what Eileen Melvin and her immediate family did three years ago when they bought into United Metal Fabricators.

“For a decade I worked as a consultant to help spur the local economy,” Melvin explained. “We [my family] thought our purchase and involvement in UMF would be true economic development and save jobs.”

Since she joined the board of directors in 2008 and was subsequently named president and CEO the following year, Melvin has worked to preserve the core of UMFs assets – the workforce and quality craftsmanship – while building a team to infuse technological advances into processing and sales procedures.

In May, Melvin will be honored for her economic efforts by the U.S. Small Business Administration as Small Business Exporter of the Year for both SBA’s Region III and the Western Pennsylvania District. Like the 68 other district winners, her nomination was forwarded to the regional SBA competition (Region 3 covers 7 districts: Delaware, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia) where she became regional winner. According to Melvin, UMF, as a staple manufacturer of quality medical supply products, has a rich history. Its humble beginnings clearly depict the work ethic of Johnstown residents.

“UMF was founded by Joe Romano, whose family was en route to New Jersey when the father got hit by a streetcar. Joe had to support the family by working at a medical supply firm, where he swept floors and grinded metal, eventually becoming a vice president,” she explained. “He decided to start his own health products manufacturing firm and with help from his extended family he was able to secure financing. Within years his successful managerial style closed down his competitor.”

Melvin said that about 20 years ago her family became involved with UMF due to her own father’s involvement as legal advisor to the company.

“My family has a health care background. I have siblings who are doctors and my background is in public administration and health care – an ever-changing industry that effects everyone, everyday. I am fascinated by the challenge and opportunity to meet the needs of healthcare providers in service to their patients,” she added.

Melvin explained that while UMF offered a line of quality products consisting of examination tables, stainless steel equipment and a painted line, such as cabinets, the world was changing and UMF did not keep pace with technological and manufacturing advances.

“They didn’t invest in plant equipment and technology, which would track efficiency, expenses, labor and marketing. They didn’t utilize the internet effectively to sell products,” she explained. “But UMF produces excellent products featuring high-grade steel and quality craftsmanship.

To keep pace with purchasing umbrellas that offer exclusive prices to members, Melvin and her team pursued a Group Purchasing Organization contract to sell medical equipment and supplies to members of Novation group. They were awarded a three-year contract that serves hospitals and healthcare systems throughout the U.S. and through partnerships with the Commonwealth and the Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission, UMF increased their exporting by 62 percent with a concentration in Saudi Arabia where Melvin recently participated in a Trade Mission.

“They [the people of Saudi Arabia] want to model their health-care system after ours. And our partnerships enabled us to meet our clients and better understand the people and hospitals in the Middle East,” she added. “Now, across our country and the world, newborn babies are checked on UMF pediatric tables. As they grow up, they are examined on UMF exam tables. And any broken arm or minor surgery will be cared for on a UMF power procedure chair.”

Melvin said UMF utilized the SBA for a loan to go green in their painted cabinet line, changing from a wet spraying paint system with emissions to an eco-friendly powder-spray finish. Their approach earned UMF a Green Award from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

Carl Knoblock, Western Pennsylvania SBA district director, said Melvin’s success is linked to her family’s passion for healthcare coupled with her commitment to keep the core principles of UMF intact. “She is perfect at the helm as she is fascinated with health and related issues yet knows that work ethic and quality are as important as sales for continued growth,” he said. Melvin added while she is honored to be the recipient of the Small Business Exporter Award, it is truly a reflection of the employees and board of directors.

“All of us at UMF are excited about this award,” she said. “It is an entire team effort to produce the excellent quality products that have earned UMF the positive reputation we enjoy in international markets – so credit belongs to every member of our team.”

Melvin and eight other local small business owners and advocates will be lauded at the Western Pennsylvania SBA May 27th Awards Luncheon which will be held at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel Pittsburgh. The luncheon is held in conjunction with the 48th annual celebration of National Small Business Week. Once the festivities begin, the public can “attend” Small Business Week events virtually, via the SBA’s streaming video on the Web at http://www.nationalsmallbusinessweek.com/webcast.php.

Note: If you would like to speak with Eileen Melvin or Carl Knoblock, Western Pennsylvania SBA district director, please contact Janet Heyl at 412-395-6560, ext. 103

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The U.S. Small Business Administration – helping small businesses start, grow and succeed.

For Businessman Joe Santelli, Giving Back is an Act of Glass

Release Date: May 12, 2011 Contact: Janet Heyl (412) 395-6560, ext. 103


Release Number: PGH11-08 Janet.Heyl@sba.gov

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Local man vies for SBA National Small Business Person award

MONESSEN, PA -- For homeowners throughout the country, as well as employees of Santelli’s Tempered Glass and residents of Monessen, Joe Santelli certainly is a “glass” act.

In May, Santelli, 55, will travel to Washington, D.C. to compete for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) title of Small Business Person of the Year. That honor will be announced during the 48th annual celebration of National Small Business Week. Santelli began his quest at the local level, when he was chosen as the Western Pennsylvania District Office Small Business Person of the Year. The nomination package was then forwarded to the regional office in Philadelphia to compete with their local winner.

Santelli, president of Santelli Tempered Glass, has been involved with glass and window industry for years, cultivating his knowledge with three different companies. However, it was his exploration into tempered glass that helped Santelli change the lives of residents throughout the United States and became the catalyst for his selection as the Western Pennsylvania and state Small Business Person of the Year.

It might be hard to picture, but tempered glass won’t shatter when broken. Instead, it breaks into harmless, pebble-sized pieces.

“We’ve all seen kids run into all-glass storm doors thinking they are open and get hurt. For reasons like this, in the 1960s tempered glass was mandated for side and back windows of automobiles and in the 1970s it became the standard for homes,” Santelli explained. “It’s primarily used for front and storm doors, side [light] panels and picture windows.”

The glass arrives at Santelli’s plant in large sheets, where the sharp edges and corners of the glass are smoothed, custom-cut to the window manufacturer’s specifications and washed.

“The glass is then put on rollers, where it’s heated to 1120 degrees Fahrenheit for a few seconds and this releases any pressure in the glass,” Santelli explained. “It then is cooled very rapidly, known as the quenching process. Air is blown on the top and bottom surfaces of the glass sheets which introduces a uniform pressure.” According to Santelli, the even pressure is what causes the glass to break into tiny pieces no larger than the size of a dime.

“It’s six times stronger than [standard] floated glass because of that uniform pressure, so you could throw a baseball at a tempered window all day and it won’t break,” he said proudly. “We actually use a sledgehammer and break glass here, every hour on the hour, to make sure it’s tempered.”

Santelli said he’s always been interested in glass and for 15 years sold tempering furnaces to companies throughout the United States and Canada.

“I consulted with a friend and colleague who has a highly successful tempered glass company out West. Buying a used furnace I had originally sold him we became partners, establishing the company as the first tempered outfit of its kind east of the Mississippi,” he said. “Eventually I was able to buy him out, but gained a wealth of knowledge about customer service. His company guarantees a 24-hour turnaround time on orders and so does Santelli Tempered Glass.”

Santelli’s tempered glass and customer service has become so successful that he has opened two additional plants in Indiana and Florida. He said that even though the country is in a recession, energy tax credits have both boosted sales and decreased energy costs for customers.

While he’s helped eliminate childhood glass injuries in Pennsylvania and neighboring states, Santelli has also helped fight unemployment and hunger in the former steel hamlet of Monessen.

“We’ve got a great work force here, people who were looking for good jobs in the Mon Valley,” he said.

Santelli said he was shocked when, while driving through town one Saturday, he noticed a mile-long line of residents who were waiting for the local food bank to open. Since then, he has made donations to that food bank, sponsored a Habitat for Humanity golf outing and donated tempered glass for Habitat for Humanity projects and ABC-TV’s “Extreme Makeover Home Edition.”

According to Western Pennsylvania SBA District Director Carl Knoblock, Santelli truly exemplifies what it means to be a small business person of the year. “He knows his product, the industry and how to position his company for continued growth,” Knoblock said. “And most importantly, he’s remembered to give back to the community.”

Santelli said he knew he had been nominated as small business person of the year, but never realized he might win.

“My first reaction was surprise, and I thought ‘this is so cool,’” he remarked. “I’ve been fortunate to have so many great partners to share the excitement with, it’s been really exciting.”

Santelli and eight other local small business owners and advocates will be lauded at the Western Pennsylvania SBA May 27th Awards Luncheon, which will be held at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel Pittsburgh.

Note: If you would like to speak with Joe Santelli or Carl Knoblock, Western Pennsylvania SBA district director, please contact Janet Heyl at 412-395-6560, ext. 103

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The U.S. Small Business Administration – helping small businesses start, grow and succeed.