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Upcoming SBM Events

St. Louis Business Expo

10/24/17 | 11AM - 5PM | St. Charles Convention Center

The Expo is the largest business-to-business conference in Missouri, where 2,000-3,000 professionals come to learn, network and grow their business. The day includes an opening workshop, a full day’s worth of seminars and workshops, an awards luncheon, more than 100 exhibitors and a networking happy hour. For a booth at the event, contact Pat Coates at 314.569.0076, ext. 109 or email her at pat@sbmon.com. For more information on the Expo, click here.

Best In Business Awards

10/24/17 | 11AM - 1PM | St. Charles Convention Center |

Through our reader surveys, 50 area businesses were chosen (in 14 categories) as the Best Businesses in St. Louis. Those businesses are honored at the luncheon. Event Sponsors: Winning Technologies, Delta Dental of Missouri and United Healthcare. Cost: $50, Tables of 10 are $500. Call 314.569.0076

Top Women Business Owner Awards

02/2018 | 11AM - 1PM | Hilton Frontenac Hotel |

Each year SBM highlights the area's top women-owned companies. We've profiled more than 200 over the past 17 years. We bring them together for one luncheon. Event sponsors: Anders; HireLevel, powered by Extra Help; and Winning Technologies. Cost: $50, Tables of 10 are $500. Call 314.569.0076

Recent Articles

Buying Local

Why I Choose the Small, Local Camera Business Over the National Big Boys

by Tom Ruwitch

It can be difficult for small, local businesses to succeed in a world full of corporate giants and online vendors. That’s why I’m always happy to highlight local businesses that are doing what it takes to compete.
I’m an avid photographer who subscribes to several email lists for various camera vendors — some local, some out of town.
The out-of-town vendors are industry giants who fill my inbox with special offers, new releases and other product pitches.
The problem: I’ve already sunk a lot of money into cameras and lenses. Sure, I’ll buy a new lens and upgrade the camera eventually. But most of the time I’m not in buying mode. After a while, I stop opening those pitchy emails because I know I’ll see a bunch of products I don’t want or need.

Learn From My Mistakes

What You Can Learn From My Mistakes As A Business Owner

by Dave Driscoll

Recently a prospective seller asked what mistakes I had made as a business owner, specifically relating to the sale of my business.
I settled on these three big mistakes:
• I thought I could control the timing of when I wanted to get out of the business.
• I didn’t seek advice from folks who have been there before me to understand the process.
• My ego got in the way of good decision making.
Painful, but true, realizations. These mistakes resulted in missed opportunities and ultimately decreased the value I received from my life’s work to support my Life Beyond Business.