Sometimes
with a little help and motivation, a person can make this dream a
reality. One of our goals at the Center is to walk this path with you.
Whether you are an existing business looking to expand or person who needs specialized assistance with a new business idea, we may be the resource for you. The
Center can play a key role in the acquisition and dissemination
of information to support business decision making.The Center is committed to working in collaboration with
existing businesses, economic development associations,
chambers of commerce and governmental agencies that
support initiatives to enhance the economic vitality
of our region.
To see the flyer for upcoming training click here.
Check out what the BSC has done so far - Click here.
Watch a quick video to help you decide how BSC can assist with your business needs.
To date, the partners of the Business Solutions Center (BSC) have contributed $130,500 to support entrepreneurial efforts in the 8-county region of Coles, Clark, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Moultrie and Shelby counties. Hiring a Business Solutions Center Counselorwill expand the free and confidential counseling and training available in the  region and will work in tandem with SCORE volunteers to service new and existing businesses. The BSC will also plant the seeds of entrepreneurship in the youth of the region through programming such as: Camp e3- energizing emerging entrepreneurs, Junior Achievement and Team All Terrain Brain curriculum. For more information about the Business Solutions Center click here.
See what the press has to say about the Business Solutions Center here.
See the Business Solutions Center on the WCIA morning show here.
 Jeanne Dau is the Director of the Business Solutions Center (BSC) for the Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences. Jeanne has an extensive background in working with businesses and entrepreneurial start-ups to develop and satisfy their training, consulting and research needs.
Prior to this appointment, she was the director of the Small Business Development Center in Chillicothe, Mo., where she provided training and one-on-one counseling to more than 500 businesses in the region. She has started two successful service businesses, worked in corporate communications and coordinated and marketed meetings as part of her responsibilities as the Director of Sales and Marketing for the Chancellor Hotel/University Inn in Champaign, Ill., sales manager for Eagle Ridge Inn and Resort in Galena, Ill., and conference facilitator for the Georgia Center for Continuing Education in Athens, Ga. She received her bachelor's degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her MBA at William Woods University in Missouri.
Jeanne looks forward to meeting you and exploring how the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation’s Business Solutions Center can help you build and grow your business. She can be reached at 217-581-2913 or jcdau@eiu.edu.
.jpg)
Stan Thurman is the business counselor for the Business Solutions Center, providing free and confidential assistance for aspiring entrepreneurs as well as existing small businesses in the eight county region. Prior to joining the BSC, Stan owned wholesale/retail businesses in Mattoon and Champaign for more than 21 years serving the entire region and he is excited to be able to serve the region in a new way. In addition he was an active SCORE counselor for two years. Stan will rotate between offices in Mattoon, Effingham, Paris and Charleston. Prior to business ownership, Stan spent 15 years in broadcasting, the last seven of those as operation manager/program director for two radio stations. He can be reached at 217-549-8416 or swthurman@eiu.edu.
To see Stan's location schedule, click here.
 Dave Arseneau is an instructor and the assistant to the dean of the Lumpkin College of Business and Applied Sciences. Dave also counsels clients for SCORE and the Business Solutions Center. Dave owned and operated a business in Douglas County for more than 20 years and is very active overseeing the Southeastern Illinois Branch Chapter 296 of SCORE. On his leave of absence this past year, Dave consulted with the Small Business Development Center housed at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, Florida. Dave’s continues to teach classes in entrepreneurship and small business management at Eastern Illinois University. He can be reached at 217-581-6926 or dparseneau@eiu.edu.
 Jennifer Zuniga is the assistant for the Business Solutions Center and is the newest member to our team. Jennifer has had experience running two businesses; one in the financial service sector and the other in the printing and promotional products industry. She can be reached at 217-581-2913 or jezuniga@eiu.edu.
|
