Success Stories

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Tom Stankiewicz was referred to Engineering Development Services at Bucknell's SBDC in the summer of 2007.Through EDS, a New Product Development project was placed in a Senior Capstone course in mechanical engineering to design a backpack or harness mounted version of the video mapping data collector that would allow a person to easily collect smooth 360 degree video as they walk through a building. A four-member student design team, guided by a faculty advisor and a Project Manager from the EDS staff, embarked on patent searching, concept development, engineering analysis, product dissection, 3D CAD modeling, and simulation. More ...
Clarion Research Group
In 2007 Dr. James Rutkowski was referred to the Engineering Development Services at Bucknell's SBDC in when he expressed a need for physical samples of the new product idea for extended use in his own practice as well as for acquiring market feedback. Bucknell SBDC student consultants, guided by a Project Manager from the EDS staff, conducted preliminary patent searching, concept development, engineering analysis, and 3D CAD modeling. More ...
Muchler and Cormell
Angela Muchler and Kelly Cormell, sisters passionate about helping people through their knowledge of audiology, first contacted the Small Business Development Center in early February 2006. The sisters were directed to meet consultants at the SBDC concerning their hopes to use their unique knowledge in the local Lewisburg area. More ...
Indulgence
Jacqueline Jordan contacted the Small Business Development Center in April 2006 interested in attending a seminar discussing pre-business protocol and planning. She came prepared to take notes and with an idea in her back pocket which would eventually bloom into Indulgence bakery in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania more than a year and a half later. More ...
Scrapbook Lady
Morita Neitz, an eager entrepreneur, had a passion that she wanted to follow in her life. It was a passion of saving memories by scrapbooking and photography with a hint of creativity. She wanted to be able to do all the things she loved as her job. Thoughts now turned to pursuing the goal of starting her own scrap booking business in order to follow her dream. She contacted the Small Business Development Center to help her accomplish her goal. More ...
Geisinger Ventures
Having already formed a preliminary business plan for a new pre-surgical disposable "modesty" garment and investigated its market potential, Bryan Allinson, Director at Geisinger Ventures, contacted the Bucknell SBDC's Engineering Development Services (EDS) in May of 2007 for assistance. EDS initially assisted with a competitive product search and analysis of existing medical gown designs. Using that information along with the design requirements of Geisinger doctors, EDS consultants created conceptual drawings of several alternate solutions along with physical prototypes. More ...
Baney's Tack Store
Some well-researched reports have recently toted the equine industry in Pennsylvania as one of the most consistent contributing industries to Pennsylvania's economy. Darlene Baney has recently added to the volume of that industry. She opened Baney's Tack Store in October 2008. The store sells riding accessories such as bridles, saddles, and spurs but includes much more. More ...
Shumaker Industries
When an international engineering firm solicited a bid for a new specialty concrete mixing system, Shumaker Industries knew it would need assistance in order to submit a proposal in a timely, accurate fashion. They turned to the Engineering Development Services (EDS) available to them at Bucknell University's SBDC. Design engineer Allen Thomas brought his preliminary structural designs to EDS, where, with staff and a graduate student consultant, they performed sophisticated Finite Element Analysis (FEA) calculations to verify key areas of the design. More ...
Mystic Springs
Marcia Readinger and Giles Wickham, both from Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, were planning to start a community shared access (CSA) farm growing organic produce. The farm would offer CSA memberships, sell directly to restaurants and health food stores and farm markets. Being referred by past clients, they came to the Bucknell Small Business Development Center to seek help for their business plan and the development of pro forma financial statements in order to obtain possible financing. More ...
Sees' M.A.T.S
Michael Alan Sees, an experienced wrestler with a 20 year old dream, wanted to create an environment for his children and the community's to be competitive and have fun. After the success of his first wrestling club, Michael contacted the SBDC to help him organize and prepare to start his new business in another location. More ...
Pool Factory
George Tassone, President and CEO of The Pool Factory, first contacted the Bucknell SBDC in August of 2008 while he was in the process of testing prototypes of for a new product. George sought design and analysis assistance from Engineering Development Services. More ...
Brewser's
Coming from a long family of restaurateurs, one couldn't imagine Gene Welsh doing anything else. And how could one of his best friends, Daniel Hauer, not come along for the ride? During their initial loan application process, Gene and Dan were referred to the Bucknell University's Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Gene and Dan had already generated a business plan, but after their first session with the SBDC, they knew they could make some improvements and provide more details to help the bank understand that they had thought through their business. More ...