Cocoa Bean Fine Desserts Business Profile

Luckily for folks in the Fox Valley, pastry chefs Paul and Nancy Saucedo decided to open Cocoa Bean Fine Desserts in Geneva in 2004.  It is located at 11 South 7 th Street (just south of State Street).  If you haven’t yet stopped by for coffee and a delicious treat, you are really missing out.  Everything at the Cocoa Bean is made fresh and from scratch.

The Saucedos had accumulated great credentials before opening the Cocoa Bean.  A graduate of Kendall College, Paul had 15 years prior experience, including working at the Rhapsody Restaurant in Chicago’s Ritz Carlton Hotel and the French Room at the Hotel Adolphus in Dallas.  Nancy received her degree from Northern Illinois University, and received Le Grande Diplome from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris.  Her 10 years’ experience includes working in France, as well as here in Chicago at the United Center, where she opened their Catering department, and in Dallas at the Four Season and eatZi’s.

But working for others was not the direction they wanted to take long term.  Paul, in particular, had always wanted to have his own business.  Returning to the Chicago area in 2003, they researched where they might start a business which would be dedicated to making fine pastry.  They settled on Geneva, and brought the first of its kind coffee shop to the Fox Valley.  But the Cocoa Bean is much more than a coffee shop.  It offers exceptional pastries, a wide variety of breakfast and lunch items, and a sophisticated cake and sweet table catering service, par excellence.

Nancy no longer assists Paul in the kitchen.  She concentrates on customers and working with brides.  Paul now focuses on the “finishing” work – creating pastries that are not just delicious, but that are works of art.  He also heads up development of new menu items, like the homemade chorizo quiche, one of their latest entries.  The menu rotates with the seasons.

When the Saucedos designed the space in Geneva, they deliberately included an extra-large kitchen capable of supporting both the Geneva location, and another future storefront in an as yet unnamed suburban location.

When asked “what advice would you give to others who want to start their own restaurant,” Paul and Nancy said that their years of experience gave them the critical edge.  Their business continues to thrive, and their fine reputation continues to grow. 

The Saucedos have been working with the Illinois Small BusinessDevelopment Center at Elgin Community College since 2003, when they first sought assistance in developing their business plan.  Over the years, they have forged a strong relationship with the ISBDC counselors.  Paul is grateful for that relationship, emphasizing that the ISBDC was always there to listen, to give sound advice, and above all, to lend their moral support.

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! “

Next Door Business Profile

Paul Schifferer launched Next Door, Inc. in November 2009, operating it himself until May, 2011, when he brought on two full-time and one part-time employee.  Next Door, Inc. is a Veteran-owned business in St. Charles, IL specializing in the sales, installation, service, and repair of garage doors and garage door openers.

By now, Paul has been in the garage door industry for over 10 years.  His style is direct and honest.  He prides himself on providing quality work, guaranteeing his customers both value and satisfaction. 

The ISBDC at ECC first met Paul in January 2012.  At the time, Paul was sure he was performing some business functions correctly, but he was also sure there was room for improvement.  He felt there were some areas of his business he was not fully addressing as effectively as he should.  Paul was (and still is) determined to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure he grows his business properly.

We started our counseling services by doing a Comprehensive Business Assessment (CBA) for Next Door, Inc.  With this process, we examined 36 different business functions, and rated them based on the maturity of the company and the relevancy of each function for the business.  The assessment identified those functional areas needing attention, and made recommendations for improvement.

After four months of working with Paul, we've discovered that he is an avid learner.  He participates in small business classes, workshops, events, and training programs at ECC to improve his understanding, and to enable him to function better than ever in his business. 

Paul has commented about his ISBDC experience:  "I was referred to The Small Business Development Center by another small business owner earlier this year.  I would have never heard of their services otherwise.  We, as small business owners, should be shouting from the rooftops to spread the word about this fantastic (and completely free) service.  Not only did Sybil meet me at my office and complete an extremely comprehensive assessment of my business, but then continued with helping me develop and understand a budget.  The SBDC also helped me develop marketing plans as well as company policies and procedures.  We have met many times and I leave every meeting feeling positive and with more ideas.  Thank you Sybil for being an outstanding mentor and friend and I look forward to our next meeting!"