Cheryl Brown
By Kenneth Mullinax/ASU
Alabama State University's Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has aided in the growth of ZealRiver Technologies, Inc. (ZealRiver), according to ASU's SBDC's director, Andrea Rogers Mosley.
"ZealRiver's CEO is Cheryl W. Brown and ASU's SBDC has helped her company in a myriad of ways guiding it so it has become an important player in the federal contracting arena," Mosley stated. "ZealRiver has excelled in such areas as digital marketing strategies, and cyber disaster preparedness. Our programs have also aided in its mentor programs and trough a collaborative initiative with the SBC and the Balch and Bingham Boost Program with Brown receiving cutting-edge legal assistance, which led to the creation of a joint venture titled ZRS Solutions LLC."
Mosley shared that Brown's initial success began through participating in Alabama State's SBDC (along with the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce) in what is called its "NxLevel University Training Program" which teaches the basics of business ownership.
Brown began her career with a contracting firm at Maxwell Air Force Base and now ZealRiver has an annual income of over $4 million with 14 employees. ZealRiver is involved in myriad federal, state, and other business-related contracts, which includes awards from the GSA program.
She credits ASU with aiding her firm's growth.
“Alabama State's SBDC has proved to be a critical asset to my business growth, and it is a trusted resource that is readily available to assist small businesses," said Brown. "Mrs. Mosley and the staff at the SBDC at ASU truly care about helping us stay competitive and successful and its 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."
Mosley affirmed that helping small businesses like ZealRiver is what Alabama State's SBDC is all about.
"ZealRiver is all about strength, CommUniversity, and vision, and its success demonstrates the role that ASU's Small Business Development Center is accomplishing so that small businesses flourish," Mosley quipped. "ZealRiver's story is a strong testament to how ASU’s SBDC contributes to the success of small businesses and supports local economic development, and it makes a meaningful addition to ASU President Quinton Ross's CommUniversity initiative."