unleashing
national impact
igniting local
transformation
Cheryl W. Brown, CEO of ZealRiver Technologies, Inc., embodies resilience and entrepreneurial spirit. Starting her career as IT support with a contracting firm at Maxwell Air Force Base, Cheryl's passion and drive quickly outgrew her role. She aspired to create a business that would not only leverage her expertise but also contribute to the technology landscape in her community. Cheryl's journey has not been without challenges. In 2022, she faced an unimaginable personal loss with the passing of her son. This tragedy deeply affected her, yet with the unwavering encouragement and support from the Alabama SBDC staff, Cheryl found the strength to persevere. The SBDC's commitment to her success went beyond business advice; they provided a compassionate presence that helped her navigate both personal and professional obstacles. Cheryl's resilience in the face of hardship is a testament to her character and determination.
"The Alabama SBDC has proved to be a critical asset to my business growth. Having a trusted resource that is readily available to assist small businesses is vital to our success. Mrs. Mosley and the staff at the Alabama SBDC at Alabama State University truly care about helping us stay competitive and successful. Their ongoing support has provided me with the confidence to manage and grow my business effectively. I wholeheartedly recommend the Alabama SBDC services to other small businesses."
Cheryl's journey with the Alabama SBDC Network and the SBA has been instrumental in helping her business thrive. In 2010, Cheryl took her first steps toward entrepreneurship by enrolling in the NxLevel University Training Program, offered by the Alabama SBDC at ASU and the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce, to learn the fundamentals of business ownership. Over the years, she has taken full advantage of the SBDC's services, from one-on-one advisement to participation in specialized programs like the COVID-19 Small Business Survival Program, Digital Marketing Cohorts, and procurement technical training. She also became an alumnus of the SBA Emerging Leaders program, a milestone that significantly shaped her approach to scaling her business.
The Alabama SBDC's support has been pivotal during key moments of growth and transition for ZealRiver. The SBDC guided Cheryl through the complex process of PPP loan forgiveness, digital marketing strategies, and cyber disaster preparedness. They also supported her in pursuing a mentor-protégé relationship, helping her secure not one, but two active mentors. Through a collaborative initiative with the SBDC and the Balch and Bingham Boost Program, she received crucial legal assistance in forming a joint venture, ZRS Solutions LLC and operating agreement, positioning ZealRiver as a formidable competitor in the federal contracting arena.
Today, ZealRiver Technologies stands as a beacon of success. The company has expanded its reach with multiple federal, state, and business-to-business contracts, including awards from the GSA 8(a) STARS III program. With annual revenues in the millions and a growing team, ZealRiver is a key player in the tech industry. Cheryl continues to give back to her community, frequently sharing her experiences as a guest speaker at Alabama SBDC events. She mentors young entrepreneurs in the tech sector, providing them with guidance and encouragement. Cheryl's story serves as an inspiring example of strength, vision, and the impact of community partnerships. Her journey demonstrates the power of determination, resilience, and the invaluable role of the Alabama SBDC in helping small businesses thrive.
Today, the company employs 14 people, and has achieved multiple certifications: 8(a), EDWOSB, WOSB, DBE. They have been awarded multiple contracts:
2024 GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) (47QTCA24D00EY) - $500K
2024 DLA JETS 2.0 IT Services Contract - IDIQ Contract Ceiling $12BIL
2024 EITaaS Base Infrastructure Modernization - IDIQ Contract Ceiling $12.5BIL
2024 Barksdale AFB Education Services - $1MIL
2024 Air Force Geospatial Information Management System (AFGIMS) - $500K
2024 Digital Certification Revocation for the AF Information Network - $3.4MIL
2021 Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division Dam Neck Activity - $4MIL
2021 GSA 8(a) STARS III contract award (47QTCB21D385) - IDIQ Contract Ceiling: $50BIL
2019 Barksdale AFB Education Services - $860K
2019 Capabilities Integration Environment (CIE) Gunter Air Force Base - $2.9MIL
2016 Barksdale AFB Education Services - $180K
2016 Deliberate and Crisis Action Planning and Execution System (DCAPES) - $260K
In 2018, FuelFox was established as a gasoline delivery business headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. With a fleet of three fuel trucks, the company offered a unique service: fueling vehicles at their clients' locations, whether individual customers or entire fleets. Initially targeting two markets—individuals at office buildings and malls and fleet sales—FuelFox rapidly gained traction. Within seven weeks of starting fleet deliveries, the company generated an impressive $100,000 in revenue. The plan was ambitious: to grow the service to ten trucks in Birmingham and expand to ten other locations in the Southeast.
Founded by Ben Morris, a former senior partner with a prominent Birmingham law firm, the journey began with a vision to manage and grow a business. He turned to the Alabama SBDC for guidance on how to carefully—but aggressively—grow the business.
"Since FuelFox's inception in 2018, the UA Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has been instrumental in our success. The SBDC provided invaluable support by conducting thorough market research, which guided our strategic expansion efforts.
During the challenging COVID-19 pandemic, the SBDC's expertise was crucial in helping FuelFox navigate the financial uncertainties. The SBDC assisted us in successfully applying for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds, Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), and various grants, ensuring FuelFox could sustain operations during a critical time.
Without the guidance and support of the SBDC, FuelFox would not be as strategically positioned or financially successful as it is today. The SBDC's contributions have been a cornerstone of FuelFox's growth and resilience."
Alabama SBDC Business Advisor Paavo Hanninen assisted in identifying potential clients, exploring new markets, seeking investors, and pursuing procurement opportunities. Extensive research into potential customers and government contracts, coupled with financial management guidance, set the foundation for FuelFox's future success. By 2019, FuelFox had developed multiple fleet accounts, started paying salaries, and was dispensing thousands of gallons of fuel monthly.
The Alabama SBDC team continued to provide support, focusing on identifying new markets, raising capital, and developing an operational manual. Research on potential locations for new fuel terminals and the provision of operational manual templates contributed to FuelFox's strategic development.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought unforeseen challenges. Paavo Hanninen and Suzanne Darden (ASBDC Capital Access Program) stepped in to help FuelFox evaluate and apply for relief funds, securing $115,000 in PPP funding. Undeterred, the company continued to thrive, growing to 12 full-time employees, generating $7 million in annual revenue, and operating nine trucks in two markets—Birmingham and Charlotte. The focus had shifted to serving fleets exclusively, with 75% of the business now in diesel delivery.
By 2023, FuelFox's annual revenue had skyrocketed from $357,000 in 2018 to an impressive $18 million. The employee count had risen from 1 to 14, and the fleet had expanded from one truck to 18. Service locations had sprawled to include Memphis, Birmingham, and Charlotte, with plans for a franchised location opening soon in Nashville.
Ben Morris, the visionary behind FuelFox, shared insights into his transformation from a senior partner at a law firm to a successful entrepreneur. Originally envisioning retail/hub fueling locations for individuals, he pivoted towards exclusively serving fleets, recognizing the enhanced margins and cost efficiency. The company now services 70 fleets in total.
The addition of a Chief Operating Officer, a 24-year Navy veteran and Naval Academy graduate with an impressive aviation career, strengthened the team further. FuelFox continues to evolve, with plans to offer retirement plans and a commitment to providing comprehensive healthcare for employees.
In the rearview mirror, the journey of FuelFox reflects a tale of resilience, strategic guidance, and unwavering ambition. With the support of the Alabama SBDC Network, FuelFox overcame challenges and transformed into an industry leader, making its mark on the highways of the Southeast.
Rike Tacos is a family-owned Mexican restaurant that began with a single location in Ariton in 2019. The Tzanahua family, including brothers Anthony and Rike, had a vision for expansion despite the challenges they faced. As high schoolers, the brothers needed guidance to navigate the complexities of growing their business into a larger town like Troy. Their mother, Isabel, reached out for help, and that's when Juliana Bolivar, their primary business advisor from the Alabama SBDC, stepped in to assist.
After the company started, they returned to the SBDC for additional assistance. They needed to standardize recipes, improve marketing efforts, and develop a distribution strategy for their new salsa line.
"The services I received from the Alabama SBDC have made me to understand my business better; it has helped come up with new skills and improved my management in the restaurant business."
Juliana helped the family with the permits necessary to expand their business to Troy. She guided the young entrepreneurs through the licensing process, ensuring they understood the requirements and timelines. Isabel was relieved to have Juliana's expertise as her boys embarked on this significant step. Juliana's support didn't stop there. She also helped Anthony figure out how to bring their food truck to campus for sporting events, and guided him on becoming an approved vendor for the university.
In addition to these efforts, the Tzanahua family joined the Alabama SBDC's boot camp for food entrepreneurs, which provided them with valuable insights and strategies for growing their business. Juliana also explained the importance of joining the Chamber of Commerce and mediated for them to join. Their dedication and hard work paid off when they successfully opened their second location in Troy in December 2022. The business, known for its authentic and delicious tacos, continued to thrive, including their popular food truck used for events and festivals.
Juliana provided comprehensive support, discussing the potential acquisition of a local donut shop, Trojan Donuts, and exploring the synergy between tacos and donuts. By acquiring Trojan Donuts, they expanded their business and saved a local establishment from closure, positively impacting the local economy. Juliana advised on establishing a separate company for the donut shop, ensuring clear financial demarcation and process implementation.
Thanks to the Alabama SBDC, the Tzanahua family successfully initiated the process of acquiring the donut shop with a strategic plan in place. They implemented clear financial and operational processes for the new entity and improved staff retention through enhanced job descriptions and benefits. The family achieved consistency in product offerings by standardizing recipes and launched their salsa line with a targeted distribution strategy.
Rike Tacos received media attention during Hispanic Heritage Month, increasing community engagement and customer base. The business also added two full-time and one part-time employee, reflecting growth and stability.
The Alabama SBDC's contributions were instrumental in helping Rike Tacos navigate their expansion, improve operations, and enhance their market presence. The support provided benefited the Tzanahua family and positively impacted the local community and economy by saving Trojan Donuts from closure. The Tzanahua family's entrepreneurial spirit and desire to succeed, coupled with the guidance and support from the SBDC, have set them on a path to continued success and growth.
