The Illinois Metro East Small Business Development Center at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) recently helped Jen Schaller, an SIUE graduate, open a bigger RunWell store dedicated to runners.
Small Business Development Centers (SMDCs) in Illinois are partially funded through an agreement between SIUE, Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity and the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The Illinois Metro East SBDC Director Patrick McKeehan, who has been providing free business counseling and marketing advice to Schaller, said he was “extremely proud” of her success.
“Jen’s focus on meeting customer needs is admirable,” he said. “Her ability to create a highly loyal and passionate community of followers is truly amazing and inspiring.”
The small retail shop opened in downtown Edwardsville in June 2013. Schaller said she was humbled by how quickly the running community embraced her vision for RunWell. According to her, the store’s mission is founded on two key components.
“The first is providing high-quality products that exceed customer expectations,” she said. “The second, more importantly, is to offer events that bring runners of all skill levels together on a regular basis.”
RunWell celebrated the grand opening of its new store on Feb. 27 at 142 N. Main St.
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