Start out with an enterprising idea. Add drive, vision, determination,
inquisitiveness, entrepreneurial spirit, a little luck, a lot of hard
work, some time and solid advice. What do you get?
In the case of Julia Ames you get a radical new approach to the
beverage container: A re-sealable aluminum can, more environmentally
friendly than conventional plastic bottles.
It's better for the environment because, "The aluminum beverage
can is by far the most recycled beverage container in the world, amounting
to more than twice the recycling rate of other containers," according
to the website of Ames' Columbia-based firm, H2OVER Beverage Co.
After a lengthy and bumpy quest Ames, CEO and founder of the firm,
is close to success. The can-production-line is complete and functional,
and the company is set to launch its product in the next few months.
However, this culmination stage has come after six long years of
effort by Ames and with a considerable amount of business coaching
from Mike Schrader, counselor with the Missouri
Small Business Development Center (MO SBDC) at the University
of Missouri.
Ames basically started from scratch, armed only with a concept and
an unlimited supply of determination, says Schrader.
"Julia had virtually no knowledge of the beverage industry; she
knew nothing about creating re-sealable aluminum cans; she knew nothing
about raising capital; and she had no funds of her own. However, she
had the most positive energy I have ever seen and she was one of the
best marketers I have ever had the pleasure of working with."
Conceiver and counselor researched the beverage industry and aluminum
containers. Schrader pointed Ames to several sources of capital, but
Ames did all the grunt work such as detailing the business plan and
providing data of cash flow and income statements, according to Schrader.
"My main contribution to her venture has been as a business advisor,
coach and sounding board," says Schrader. "She has shown a marked
improvement in her business knowledge and is a very capable decision-maker."
And what does the indomitable entrepreneur have to say about her
business mentor?
"Mike has provided me the tools to learn how to operate a business
for myself,' says Ames. "I wasn't a business major in college, so
I lacked a certain degree of refinement. He has helped me to understand
this and to overcome my business shortcomings."
But what she lacked in business savvy, she more than offset with
her resolute enthusiasm.
"Julia is one of the most inspirational clients I have ever had
the opportunity to work with," says Schrader. "I think my chief role
has been to keep her boundless energy focused on the goal and to keep
her spirits up when progress slowed. She is responsible for all her
success through hard work and determination."
Because of the perseverance Ames demonstrated in her entrepreneurial
quest, H2OVER Beverage Co. received an award and a legislative resolution
at a Feb. 10, event in the State Capitol in Jefferson City. At the
event — the Missouri SBDC-hosted Client
Showcase— H2OVER 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.
For more information on the services of the MO SBDC program, call
Schrader at 573/882-7096 or e-mail him at schraderme@missouri.edu.
Starred clients were a part of the 2005 Client Showcase [more] 
Visit the current Featured Entrepreneur
