Nutrition Care Systems, Inc. Business Profile

Dorothy Stewart first visited the Illinois Small BusinessDevelopment Center (ISBDC) at Elgin Community College (ECC) in May, 2011.  Her company, Nutrition Care Systems, Inc.(NCS) had made great strides since its inception in 1993, providing expert nutrition and food service guidance to a wide variety of long-term care facilities and healthcare agencies throughout the state of Illinois.

Today, and after 18 years in business, NCS employs a staff of 30 dieticians that serve 200 long term care facilities.  At our first meeting, Dorothy made it clear that she wants to position the company for significant growth, and needs to implement essential processes to make that happen.  She was seeking assistance from the ISBDC to help assess the areas needing attention, and ultimately looking for recommendations to implement the discipline, processes, and organizational structure to take the company to the next level.

Lisa Stewart, Dorothy’s daughter and NCS VP/COO, has been charged with developing the changes necessary to lead the company’s growth.  Lisa meets regularly with the ISBDC to explore areas of the company that will benefit from improved systems and staff efficiencies, while still delivering on Dorothy’s commitment to helping Long Term Care facilities provide for nutritional and emotional needs while maintaining the highest quality of life for their patients.

During their association, the ISBDC and NCS have identified and implemented improvements in several areas: 

• Customer service:  Institute proactive steps to anticipate and monitor customer issues before they become significant
• Key operating statistics:  Identify metrics based on elemental data, and regularly review them,  providing more timely control over business fluctuations
• Marketing:  Identify programs to acquire additional customers
• Accounts Receivable:  Implement new policies to optimize cash flow management
• Financial:  Institute an annual budget process that includes management participation

Lisa Stewart adds:  “Working with Sybil Ege of the ISBDC over the past several months has proved very beneficial.  Not only has she been able to advise and direct us on issues we identified as needing attention, but also has shed light on other areas of operations that could benefit from additional focus and improvement.  Her advice ranges from corporate vision, strategy and implementation to personal support and encouragement through the various challenges of entrepreneurship.  Although working with the ISBDC during the early stages of NCS would have been advantageous, we find it just as beneficial to work together now – 18 years later – as we navigate through this next phase of mature growth and renewal.  Many thanks to the ISBDC for sharing such valuable experience and direction! “

Frank's House of Steel Business Profile

In January of this year, Frank Hernandez finally witnessed the realization of his long term dream – to open a gym suitable for serious body builders.

Frank first came to the Illinois Small Business Development Center (ISBDC) at Elgin Community College (ECC) in June 2008, seeking assistance in developing a business plan appropriate to present to lenders.  It took time, several revisions of the plan, and contacting multiple lending institutions before everything fell into place three years later when Frank finally got approval for all of his funding requirements.  Throughout it all, Frank persevered, and would not be deterred from his goal.

The culmination of his dream, called Frank’s House of Steel, is located at 24 Tyler Creek Plaza in Elgin.  It’s bright and clean and has state of the art equipment. 

Frank has been lifting for 37 years, and was always disappointed in other gyms.  Their equipment never let him lift to his real potential.  It was typically inferior.  Now, Frank has remedied that.  In Frank’s House of Steel, there’s plenty of room, top notch equipment, and no more waiting in line to use the weights, because there is ample equipment, all brand new.

While Frank’s gym will cater to serious body builders, he welcomes everyone who is interested in physical fitness.  If you know Frank, you know he has a big heart.  He thrives on helping people better themselves.  It’s important to him to contribute to the community and his church.  He’s happy to help both the experienced as well as the novice customer.  His gym now includes cardio equipment, and Frank is experimenting with classes (he feels boxing will be a great offering).

The gym’s hours are 5AM to 10PM, Monday through Friday, 7AM to 4PM on Saturday, and 8AM to3PM on Sunday.   Call 630-479-2046 for more information.