News: GovTrack: Senate Record: Recognizing iBec Creative (October 28, 2009)
Nov 16, 2009Sen. Olympia Snowe [R-ME]: Mr. President, our Nation has long recognized that small businesses are the true innovators in our economy. Indeed, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration, our Nation's 27 million small firms generate a majority of the innovation coming from American businesses and produce 13 times more patents per employee than their larger counterparts. But to continue this trend, we need a new, younger generation of entrepreneurs to rise to the forefront and open their own small businesses. That is why I am proud to rise today to recognize the entrepreneurial spirit and ingenuity of a young woman from my home State of Maine whose graphic and Web design company is providing clients with, in her words, " fresh ideas that grow results."
iBec Creative was founded in 2006 by entrepreneur Becky Stockbridge. As a senior at the University of Southern Maine, Ms. Stockbridge wrote a business plan to start a Web and graphic design business for medical professionals. She realized that this critical segment of our economy was in desperate need of innovative and creative ways to promote their expertise, including through brochures, logos, and informational Web sites. With a $4,200 grant from the Libra Future Fund, a Maine-based nonprofit organization that supports young entrepreneurs, as well as free office space awarded by the Maine Center for Enterprise Development, she embarked upon her fledgling entrepreneurial career. To overcome a slow start, Ms. Stockbridge soon began designing Web sites and graphic designs for small businesses in other fields and by seizing upon these additional opportunities, she greatly broadened her client base.
In her continued efforts to present clients with cutting-edge technology, Ms. Stockbridge's innovative assortment of development, design, and monitoring services have turned iBec Creative into a well-respected five-person small company with an expected $350,000 in revenue for 2009. iBec currently specializes in providing a wide range of marketing and consulting services to its clients, such as Web design and search engine optimization, SEO, consulting, branding, internet marketing, traditional marketing, and project management. Additionally, iBec Creative utilizes emerging media to promote its clients various brands.
Ms. Stockbridge's creativity, vigor, and entrepreneurial commitment were recently recognized by BusinessWeek as she was named a 2009 finalist in the America's Best Young Entrepreneurs competition. She is the only person nominated from my home State of Maine and the first finalist from Maine since the contest began 5 years ago. Ms. Stockbridge is competing against 24 other young entrepreneurs from around the Nation in this unique online challenge, and I look forward to hearing about her successful outcome at the end of the competition.
iBec Creative is a remarkable small business whose story demonstrates how community involvement and encouragement can help entrepreneurs of all ages realize their aspirations and dreams. I commend Becky Stockbridge for her innovation and determination and wish Ms. Stockbridge and everyone at iBec Creative the best of luck with their burgeoning business.
Original article on GovTrack: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/record.xpd?id=111-s20091028-19
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