Category: Business News

Affan Waheed, Founder and CEO of FYNDUS

Founded in 2016, Fyndus has experienced year-over-year revenue growth with plans to expand into Europe, the Middle East, and Pacific Rim over the next 12 months. Currently, Fyndus is operational in six countries, has close to 300,000 users, and has an active presence in nine countries on four continents.

“What started as an idea to offer the best prices on overstock merchandise with free shipping in developing countries has exponentially grown into an international company where we’ve evolved into an e-commerce platform that helps market local businesses among Fyndus app users with discounts on retail, dining and events, while continuing to expand our e-commerce offerings to provide the best user experience,” said Affan Waheed, Fyndus CEO and founder.

Fyndus will launch its U.S. campaign at the 2018 Fair Saint Louis, America’s Biggest Birthday party, with an interactive booth. The company is offering exclusive discounts to fairgoers at vendors on the fairgrounds, as well as to the surrounding area.

“We are a St. Louis-based company with an international presence. The reason why we’re an exhibitor at Fair Saint Louis is that we want to thank and give back to the St. Louis community for making our region an incredible, entrepreneurial environment,” added Waheed.

Contact:

Ann Marie Mayuga, AMM Communications

314.485.9499, annmarie@ammcommunications.com

About Fyndus

Founded in 2016, Fyndus, LLC, is the global leader that changes the consumer retail shopping experience with brick and mortar, and e-commerce using an app to find the best deals in merchandise, service and local dining. Fyndus is different from other e-commerce platforms because it rewards buying behavior patterns, provides savings to buyers by eliminating the middleman, and offers merchants and service providers the tools to better manage the consumer buying experience. With headquarters based in St. Louis, Missouri and offices located internationally throughout Europe and the Middle East, Fyndus is changing the way people shop globally, save money, and help local businesses thrive. Fyndus…Discover. Shop. Save! To learn more, please visit https://Fyndus.com.

Ann Marie Mayuga is AMM Communications co-founder and principal

AMM Communications LLC, the St. Louis-based digital marketing, public relations, and talent acquisition firm, was recently certified by St. Louis International Airport as a Women Business Enterprise (WBE) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE).

Founded in 2008 by Ann Marie and Ed Mayuga, AMM Communications, a PR and digital agency, serves clients throughout the St. Louis region, nationwide and internationally. The firm has grown from initially offering public relations, media relations and social media consulting from 10 years ago to evolving into one of the only digital public relations firms in St. Louis using the Paid Earned Social Owned (PESO) model, which was created by Gini Dietrich, PR-thought leader and founder of the influential blog, http://spinsucks.com.

AMM Communications has been certified by the State of Missouri as a Woman-Business Owned Enterprise (WBE) business since 2011.

Founded in 2008, AMM Communications LLC, the St. Louis-based PR and digital agency, and talent acquisition firm, provides media relations, digital public relation, business development, crisis communications, content marketing, internal communications, communications skills training, digital marketing, reputation management, social media consulting, and executive search services for businesses nationwide. AMM Communications is a Women Business Enterprise (WBE) certified by the State of Missouri, and St. Louis County and St. Louis City, and is certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) by St. Louis County and St. Louis City. AMM Communications has been voted one of the “Best PR Firms in St. Louis” by Small Business Monthly from 2010-2018. We want to help you … Drive your sales. Communicate better. Hire well. For more information, please visit, http://ammcommunications.com or call 314.485.9499.

Toni Douaihy, 2018 ACC STL President

The Association of Corporate Counsel – St. Louis Chapter (ACC STL), the pre-eminent professional development organization serving in-house counsel, recently elected its new president and certain officers and directors to its board of directors.

The 2018 ACC STL leadership team includes: 

• President – Toni Douaihy, Vice President, Assistant General Counsel, Macy’s, Inc.
• President-Elect – Chrissy Teske, Senior Attorney, Commerce Bancshares, Inc.
• Secretary – John Rebman, Sr. Corporate Counsel, Regulatory Law & Policy, Monsanto Company
• Treasurer –  Brian Parsons, Counsel, Macy’s, Inc.
• Immediate Past President – Kristol Simms, Ameren Corporation
• Advocacy Chair – Barbara Barrett, Chief Compliance Officer, Reliant Care Management Company
• Membership Chair – Nancy McCahan, Managing General Counsel, Sugar Creek Capital
• Program Chair – Jennifer Herner, Associate General Counsel, World Wide Technology, Inc.
• Communications Chair – Sven Fickeler, Senior Corporate Counsel, Bunzl Distribution USA, LLC
• Board Member – Patricia Duft, Vice President, Legal, Covidient
• Board Member – Paula Finlay, Assistant Vice President – Senior Legal Counsel, Labor and Employment, AT&T Legal Department
• Board Member – Katherine Krebel, Corporate Counsel, DRS Technologies, Inc.
• Board Member – Elfin Noce, Senior Manager & Counsel, Charter Communications, Inc.
• Board Member – Rachel Paul, Senior Counsel, Midwest Employers Casualty Company
• Board Member – Erika Schenk, General Counsel & Vice President of Compliance, World Wide Technology, Inc.
• Board Member – Sharhonda Shahid, Intellectual Property Counsel, EMD Millipore Corporation
• Board Member – Margy Weisman, Assistant General Counsel, ESCO Technologies Inc.
• Board Member – Denise Whitener, Senior Counsel, Wells Fargo Law Department
• International Board of Directors – Jan Robey Alonzo, former Senior Vice President & General Counsel, UniGroup, Inc.
• Past President Committee Chair – Christopher Goddard, Washington University, Associate General Counsel
• Sponsorship Co-Chair – Renee Schenk, Assistant General Counsel, Commercial Monsanto
• Corporate Counsel Institute Committee Chair – Tyrus Ulmer, The Boeing Company, Chief Counsel
• Ex-Officio: Barry Klinckhardt, Fabick CAT, General Counsel; Chris Goddard, Jan Alonzo, Tyrus Ulmer, Renee Schenk

Contact:

Ann Marie Mayuga, AMM Communications

314.485.9499

annmarie@ammcommunications.com

About the ACC STL:

The Association of Corporate Counsel – St. Louis Chapter (ACC STL), the pre-eminent professional development organization serving in-house counsel, was founded in 1987. The St. Louis chapter has more than 550 members who represent more than 100 organizations. During its 30-year-history, the ACC STL has grown to become one of the leading chapters in the country by its national association having been selected as “Chapter of the Year” three times with the most recent award in 2017.  To learn more, please visit, https://www.acc.com/chapters/stlouis/.

Bill Purk, CPA, Purk & Associates President

Purk & Associates, P.C., the leading, independently owned St. Louis-based accounting and management advisory firm, celebrates its ninth anniversary June 1.

“Looking back at the past nine years, it is humbling to see how Purk & Associates has grown. We want to thank our clients for the opportunity to serve them and grow with them. I want to thank our team members because they are the ones who helped make our company a thriving, engaging workplace where we support one another and celebrate one another’s success,” said Bill Purk, CPA, Purk & Associates president and co-founding shareholder.

Since its founding in June 2009, Purk & Associates has achieved significant financial growth, attracted and retained leading talent, and has been recognized nationally as one of the best accounting firms to work for in the country.

Purk & Associates was named to Inc. Magazine’s 500 | 5000 Fastest Growing Companies from 2014 – 2016, and was selected by Accounting Today as one of the “Top 100 Best Accounting Firms to Work For” from 2014 – 17. Purk & Associates was selected by the St. Louis Business Journal as the recipient of the 2010 and 2016 “Best Places to Work,” and selected as a Top 5 finalists in 2012, 2014 and 2015. The firm was voted by the Small Business Monthly readers as one of the “Best Accounting Firms in St. Louis” from 2010 – 2018.

Founded in 2009 with headquarters in St. Louis, Purk & Associates, P.C., is a nationally recognized and award winning, independently owned accounting and management advisory firm that delivers a full range of tax, accounting, audit and consulting services. At Purk & Associates, our focus is to help you achieve more financial and business success. To learn more, please visit www.purkpc.com.

Ann Marie Mayuga is AMM Communications co-founder and principal

AMM Communications LLC, the St. Louis-based digital marketing, public relations, and talent acquisition firm, celebrated its tenth anniversary June 1.

Founded in 2008 by Ed and Ann Marie Mayuga, AMM Communications works with businesses nationwide and internationally in the financial services, professional services, technology, health care industries, and not-for-profits.

“We want to thank our clients, family and friends for their support for the past ten years. We are excited about the future of digital marketing and public relations, helping our clients’ businesses grow, and giving back to the St. Louis community,” said Ann Mayuga Mayuga, AMM Communications co-founder and partner.

Founded in 2008 by Ann Marie and Ed Mayuga, AMM Communications, a PR and digital agency, serves clients throughout the St. Louis region and nationwide. The firm has evolved from its initial offerings of public relations and social media consulting to evolving into one of the only digital public relations firms in St. Louis using the Paid Earned Social Owned (PESO) model when working with clients. The PESO model was created by Gini Dietrich, PR-thought leader and founder of the influential blog, Spinsucks.

“It is hard to summarize lessons learned in the past 10 years evolving as a digital marketing and PR firm, and as an entrepreneur,” said Mayuga. “The best lessons we’ve learned is that the time goes buy fast so understand we need to always learn and push ourselves to be the best for clients, family, friends and our community. Our goal from day one is to continue to help our clients tell their stories well to help their businesses grow and thrive.”

AMM Communications has also been voted one of the “Best St. Louis Public Relations Firms” by the readers of Small Business Monthly for eight consecutive years from 2010-17. Also, the firm was selected by Small Business Monthly as one of its “2017 Future 50” companies, an award recognizing privately held companies that are key economic indicators for regional business growth.

Founded in 2008, AMM Communications LLC, the St. Louis-based PR and digital agency, and talent acquisition firm, provides media relations, digital public relation, business development, crisis communications, content marketing, internal communications, communications skills training, digital marketing, reputation management, social media consulting, and executive search services for businesses nationwide. AMM Communications is WBE certified, and has been voted one of the “Best PR Firms in St. Louis” by Small Business Monthly from 2010-2017. We want to help you … Drive your sales. Communicate better. Hire well.For more information, please visit, http://ammcommunications.com or call 314.485.9499.

Lisa Pearson, associate at Purk & Associates

Purk & Associates, the award-winning, nationally recognized accounting and management consulting firm, announced today that Lisa Pearson joined as an Associate in the Controllership department.

In her new role, Pearson will provide QuickBooks consulting and training services for small business owners, entrepreneurs and professional service firms. She will also provide clients with onsite bookkeeping and payroll tax returns.

Pearson is a QuickBooks Certified ProAdvisor, who has received annual certification in QuickBooks every year since 2003, including Desktop, Enterprise, and Point of Sale versions.

Prior to joining Purk & Associates, Pearson founded and managed a successful bookkeeping and QuickBooks consulting business, “Lisa’s Bookkeeping & Office Training,” which she started in 2002 and recently sold. She built the business to more than 650 active clients in multiple industries.

“We’re excited to have Lisa join our team. She is a rare combination of a top-notch professional who is well experienced and knowledgeable about QuickBooks, and she is a successful entrepreneur who understands a large part of our client base,” said Bill Purk, CPA, Purk & Associates President and Co-Founding Shareholder.

Pearson was also an adjunct instructor in QuickBooks at Ozarks Technical Community College / Center for Workforce Development from 2009 until earlier this year.

“I’m thrilled to be the newest team member to join Purk & Associates. The entrepreneurial culture, opportunities to serve clients, and the quality of each team member is what immediately caught my attention about this unique firm,” said Pearson.

Founded in 2009 with headquarters in St. Louis, Purk & Associates, P.C., is a nationally recognized and award winning, independently owned accounting and management advisory firm that delivers a full range of tax, accounting, audit and consulting services. At Purk & Associates, our focus is to help our clients achieve more financial and business success. To learn more, please visit http://purkpc.com.

Event Held for 2018 Summer Interns, Volunteers, and Members to Network

The Association of Corporate Counsel – St. Louis Chapter (ACC STL), the pre-eminent professional development organization serving in-house counsel, will host its annual Diversity Summer Kick Off event Tues., June 5, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Anheuser Busch Visitors Center located at 1200 Lynch Street, St. Louis, MO, 63118.

The purpose of the event is for 2018 ACC Summer interns, the intern host companies and mentors, as well as ACC STL’s 2018 Street Law Volunteers (Street Law is an annual event that teaches young people about the practice of law beyond the common court room appearance), to mingle with current members, learn about upcoming Chapter events, and discuss with law students the benefits and opportunities available with an in-house counsel career path.

Partnering with the ACC STL to host the event is Thompson Coburn, LLP, a current gold-level sponsor of the St. Louis Chapter.

“One of the ACC STL value propositions is to promote diversity and inclusion among our members, the companies our members represent, and within the legal community. ACC STL members represent corporations in a wide variety of industries with a global reach, and part of our commitment to our membership is to offer programming to network, educate and have fun,” said Toni Douaihy, 2018 ACC STL President, and Macy’s Vice President and Assistant General Counsel.

About the ACC STL:

The Association of Corporate Counsel – St. Louis Chapter (ACC STL), the pre-eminent professional development organization serving in-house counsel, was founded in 1987. The St. Louis chapter has more than 550 members who represent more than 100 organizations. During its 30-year-history, the ACC STL has grown to become one of the leading chapters in the country by its national association having been selected as “Chapter of the Year” three times with the most recent award in 2017.  To learn more, please visit, https://www.acc.com/chapters/stlouis/.

The Business Bank of St. Louis (BBSTL) was voted one of the “Best St. Louis Banks in 2018” by the readers of Small Business Monthly.

“To be voted one of the best St. Louis banks by the readers of Small Business Monthly is a real compliment to The Business Bank. Our team of professionals constantly look at ways to go above and beyond to make sure that our clients experience the best possible service and attention to help them achieve personal and professional success,” said Larry Kirby, President & CEO.

BBSTL was voted one of the “Best St. Louis Banks” by the readers of Small Business Monthly in 2015 and 2017.

During the past several years, three of the Company’s bankers have been recognized by the publication for being local industry leaders. The BBSTL associates include:

• Jeremy Shore, Vice President – SBA Lending, was selected as one of the “2017 Top St. Louis Lenders.”
• Kelly Bender, Vice President – Commercial Lending, was selected as one of “2017 Best Bankers in St. Louis.”
• Rodney Malone, Vice President – Private Banking, was selected as one of “2016 Top St. Louis Employees.”

To review the list of the “Best St. Louis Banks in 2018,” please click here.

For more than 15 years, The Business Bank of St. Louis has provided a full-service banking facility in the heart of the Clayton business district located at 8000 Maryland Avenue, Clayton, MO, 63105. The mission of the Bank and the primary focus of the team members is to be the leading financial partner for St. Louis’ business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals who need customized solutions to guide them toward financial success. For more information, visit http://bbstl.com.

Purk & Associates, P.C., the leading, independently owned St. Louis-based accounting and management advisory firm, was recently voted as one of the “2018 Best Accounting Firms in St. Louis” by readers of Small Business Monthly in the May issue.

“We are thrilled to be  voted by the Small Business Monthly readers as one of the best accounting firms in St. Louis. Our success is tied directly to the success of our clients,” said Bill Purk, CPA, Purk & Associates CEO & Founding Shareholder.

This year, Purk & Associates has been voted by the readers of Small Business Monthly as one of the “Best in Quality,” in January; “Best in Customer Service,” in February; and one of its team members, T.J. Hoeferlin, Director of Assurance, was selected as one of the publication’s “Top 100 St. Louisans to Know in Business.”

This award-winning firm has been voted one of the “Top Accounting Firms to Work For” by Accounting Today, selected as one of the “Best Places to Work” by the St. Louis Business Journal, and made the Inc. Magazine’s 500 | 5000 list.

To view the Small Business Monthly list of 2018 Top Accounting Firms, click here.

Founded in 2009 with headquarters in St. Louis, Purk & Associates, P.C., is a nationally recognized and award winning, independently owned accounting and management advisory firm that delivers a full range of tax, accounting, audit and consulting services. At Purk & Associates, our focus is to help our clients achieve more financial and business success. To learn more, please visit www.purkpc.com.

Jeremy Shore, Vice President of SBA Lending at The Business Bank of St. Louis (BBSTL)

Jeremy Shore, Vice President of SBA Lending at The Business Bank of St. Louis (BBSTL), was selected as one of Small Business Monthly’s “2018 Top 100 St Louisans to Know.”

Shore, who joined BBSTL 2016, works with a variety of entrepreneurs and business owners to provide flexible and creative financing solutions. He is also experienced helping clients with business acquisition financing, debt restructuring and partner buyouts. In 2017, Shore was selected as one of the “Top STL Lenders” by Small Business Monthly.

“I am honored to be named one of the Top 100 St. Louisans to Know. When I started my banking career more than 10 years ago, I gravitated toward SBA lending because I enjoy working with and providing solutions for entrepreneurs and business owners,” said Shore.

Shore received a bachelor of science in business administration with a major in finance and minor in marketing from Saint Louis University. He is an active member of the Chaminade College Prep Alumni Board and the St. Louis Sports Commission Associates. He is also involved with Habitat for Humanity Young Friends.

To read Shore’s profile along with the other recipients of Small Business Monthly’s “2018 Top 100 St. Louisans to Know,” please click on the following link, https://bit.ly/2GNhSvD.

For more than 15 years, The Business Bank of St. Louis has provided a full-service banking facility in the heart of the Clayton business district located at 8000 Maryland Avenue, Clayton, MO, 63105. The mission of the Bank and the primary focus of the team members is to be the leading financial partner for St. Louis’ business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals who need customized solutions to guide them toward financial success. For more information, visit http://bbstl.com.