February 3, 2021
February is Black History Month, and we are shining a spotlight on African American entrepreneurs and business leaders across the Advantage Capital portfolio. During Black History Month and beyond, we are excited to share the stories of small businesses across the country that are growing and enriching their communities. From North End Teleservices in Omaha to All-In Recruiting in Las Vegas and places in between, these companies showcase innovation, growth and powerful economic and social impact.
We are pleased to round out the month with Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based Champion Controls.
Champion Controls
Champion Controls is a leading system integration, engineering and control systems manufacturer. In layperson terms, they provide the control systems that help to power Florida’s 100 moveable bridges, numerous water management projects, and traffic control and lighting from Miami International’s Concourse J to the Port of Miami Tunnel.
The company was started in 2003 by owner and CEO, Chantal Wedderburn. Since then, the business has worked with some of the industry’s best design engineers to develop solutions for the movable bridge, water and watershed industries. Champion Controls’ far-reaching work has provided control systems for the majority of bridge rehabilitations across the state of Florida, as well as in Canada, Louisiana, New York and Massachusetts. It has twice been recognized as the “Manufacturer of the Year for South Florida” and “Minority Manufacturer of the Year.”
Not only is Champion Controls a leader in its industry, it is also making a major impact in its surrounding community. This African American woman-owned business is located in a highly distressed area of Fort Lauderdale and boasts a 40-person strong workforce of engineers, fabricators, welders, wire technicians, warehouse workers and administrators. Committed to bringing more diversity and inclusion to the industry, its staff includes people of many different backgrounds, reflecting the diversity of the neighborhood as well. The company also engages in targeted hiring efforts with local workforce agencies to attract talent from underserved communities. Further, its work in local schools to develop mentorship programs helps set a foundation for higher occupational and educational outcomes and give people and families a clear path to financial stability.
Businesses like Champion Controls are a shining example of how innovative work paired with community-focused job creation can lead to tremendous outcomes.
All-In Recruiting
Lauren Anderson, owner and chief recruiter at Las Vegas-based boutique staffing agency All-In Recruiting, started All-In in 2017, focused on leveling the playing field for minorities and women in the tech industry. She began with the mission to help underrepresented professionals in tech advance their careers while making companies better with diverse and top talent driving performance. She is now placing diverse talent in mid- to senior-level positions in Fortune 100 companies across the country.
By focusing on the tech industry, All-In zeros-in on a niche market that continues to see increases in job demand. This past April, when unemployment was skyrocketing, Forbes reported that open positions among the top 10 most in-demand tech jobs grew 30.2 percent in the prior month. Through its concentration on placing diverse individuals in these positions, All-In offers its businesses a proven way to increase innovation and employee engagement while boosting creativity with a variety of perspectives.
All-In Recruiting goes far beyond just placing diverse individuals in positions with top tech companies. Each week, All-In’s office doubles as a shared workspace, giving anyone interested in tech careers a place to work on career growth and development. The company also hosts a number of community events to help elevate careers and provide tools people may need to enter into the technology field.
Ability Engineering Technology
Headquartered in South Holland, Illinois—a small suburb just outside of Chicago–Ability Engineering Technology (AET) was founded in 1947 as a machine shop that served manufacturing companies in Illinois. Fast forward nearly 75 years later, with current owner Eugene Botose at the helm, the company now exports its products across the globe and is a leading multi-disciplined engineering, design and manufacturing company. Its products range from gas purification systems for cryogenic gasses such as helium and hydrogen, cryogenic piping systems and vessels used in space, and process equipment such pressure vessels and piping systems.
Outside of its strong growth and product offerings, which are used globally across multiple industries including energy, chemical processing, aerospace, industrial gasses, and healthcare, AET provides good jobs in this Chicago-area community. With more than 50 percent of the company’s jobs available to those with only a high school diploma or equivalent, AET expands the ability for more workers to secure gainful employment. Additionally, the company provides robust training across disciplines, including welding instruction with tuition reimbursement for technician classes and other education. These jobs come with strong wages and growth opportunity along with an array of benefits such as a 401(k) match and performance-based bonuses, providing opportunities to save and build wealth.
AET is deeply active in the surrounding community. As a member of the Chicago Southland Economic Development Corporation, AET supports the development of manufacturing businesses in the greater Chicago Area and provides mentorship to other small businesses. It also participates in in the local STEM program to support high schools in the community and works with the local college on manufacturing and engineering initiatives for its students—readying youth for meaningful careers.
AET is a great example of a Black-owned business that pairs a growth-focused mindset with community engagement initiatives—investing not only in its employees but also the residents of South Holland.
North End Teleservices
In Northeast Omaha, North End Teleservices (NET)—a contact center focused on changing lives through job creation and upward mobility—is the largest African American-owned business in the state of Nebraska. The company’s significant growth is what landed it on the 2020 Inc. 5000 List of the Fastest Growing Companies in the United States. Since CEO Carmen Tapio purchased the company, it has reported a three-year growth rate of 694%. Additionally, during that same time, the company has seen its employee base grow from 57 to over 160—a 188% increase. According to a 2018 report by the University of Nebraska, NET’s economic impact is more than $221,000 per job annually. This momentous growth comes alongside the people-centered business model that Carmen Tapio has adopted.
The community where NET is located has historically seen its fair share of blight and still suffers from high unemployment. In fact, nearly 60% of the area’s population once lived in poverty and the unemployment rate reached as high as 23%. However, by creating good, quality jobs for people in the area, North End is having a ripple effect across its community. From strong training to household-stabilizing benefits and tuition reimbursement programs, NET’s people-centered mission is a force of significant positive impact.
NET is just one example of African American-owned businesses achieving significant success and impacting their communities. Check back next week as we continue to highlight and celebrate these businesses across our portfolio.
The investments, portfolio companies and recommendations referenced here represent only a sample of companies that have received investment capital from Advantage Capital-related entities. It should not be assumed that recommendations made in the future will be profitable or will equal the performance of the securities highlighted herein or contained in any other information provided by Advantage Capital. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
