From
a small idea a mighty business can grow.
Some 20 years ago Gene Weinbeck found himself running a one-man
computer consulting and software firm in West Plains, Mo. Among his
clients at the time was a local politician who needed a custom-designed
software package for his election campaign. That package had to include
a component to track donations.
From that initial foray into the world of fundraising, Weinbeck
has built a company dedicated to the design and production of computer
software aimed at solving the fund-raising challenges of a global
list of nonprofit clients.
Over the past two decades Weinbeck's business has evolved to meet
the demands of his customers. He initially mixed fundraising software
creation with his computer consulting and custom software development
business.
By 1993 he converted the company's focus exclusively to the fundraising
needs of his clients, eventually developing a line of computer software
to address those needs. This adjustment in entrepreneurial direction
gave birth to the firm's name, Fundraiser Software.
Since then Fundraiser Software has expanded its products and services.
Growth has led to a line of three increasingly sophisticated software
packages and to the expansion of the company's sales and service workforce
from one to 12.
The growth in personnel allows Fundraiser Software to maintain Weinbeck's
customer-friendly approach to service. He says: "It has always been
my belief that prompt, friendly and expert technical support is vital
to the users of any software, and it has been my intention from the
beginning to supply just that to my customers."
Weinbeck's computer savvy has taken the company a great distance.
However, early in the evolution to Fundraiser Software's current success,
he knew he needed advice from business experts. He found those experts
at the Small Business Development Center
(SBDC) at Southwest Missouri State University (SMSU) in Springfield.
Over the past 15 years Weinbeck has looked to the SBDC for help
on a variety of business challenges, according to Lyle Wright, coordinator
of the SBDC office at SMSU's satellite center in West Plains. Weinbeck
sought help with financial projections and a business plan. He needed
advice on marketing and sales. Together he and Wright explored the
potential of an employee stock ownership plan.
"The SBDC has been able to help this client grow by providing solid
counseling and select services every step of the way he expanded,"
says Wright. "The partnership of small business and the SBDC resulted
in improved economic health through increased employment, additional
capital invested in the community, and another successful small business
to anchor the fabric of rural America."
And what does the leader of Fundraiser Software think of the advice
he has received from the SBDCs?
"Lyle Wright has been able to direct us to the resources that provided
information to meet our specific needs, and help us understand and
implement several best-business practices," says Weinbeck. "Having
this type of individual and personal resource available locally has
been an invaluable asset to us."
Because of Weinbeck's success, Fundraiser Software received an award
and a legislative resolution at a Feb. 10, event in the State Capitol
in Jefferson City. At the event — the first Client
Showcase hosted by the Columbia-based Missouri SBDC — Fundraiser
Software and 24 other outstanding Missouri companies met with legislators
to discuss their products and services, and to receive recognition
for their contributions to the economic development of the state of
Missouri.
FundRaiser Software
Gene Weinbeck, President
P.O. Box 901
West Plains, MO 65775
417-256-4280
417-256-6370 (fax)
genew@FundRaiserSoftare.com
www.FundRaiserSoftware.com
For more information on the services of the SBDC program, call Jane
Cargill at 417/836-5685 or e-mail her at sbdc@smsu.edu.
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