Small Business Success Awards 2004

Skylands SBDC
Winners: Alan & Lara Baldwin
Business: Landmark Event Services, Inc.
18 Commerce Road, Unit L
Fairfield
www.landmarkeventservices.com
973-575-6225

Landmark Event Services, Inc. is a full-service event-decorating contractor started in June 2002 by Alan and Lara Baldwin. Landmark’s services include corporate gatherings, galas, premieres and award shows, sports and entertainment events, trade shows and promotional and public affairs. Alan had 15 years experience in concept creation, sales, event management and graphic design in the trade show industry. Lara had extensive experience in marketing and business development and had operated her own marketing consulting company.

With their growing new business together, Alan and Lara knew they needed a loan to expand. There was a need for more equipment, new vehicles and larger facilities. They came to the Skylands SBDC to put together a winning business plan and received a SBA guarantee on a term loan of $292,000 plus a $50,000 line of credit from Commerce Bank. With this financing, Landmark was able to expand their services and plan for future growth.

Alan and Lara met with the SBDC’s Jim Smith five times last year to turn what they considered to be “a monster” (writing a business plan) into a manageable task, then this year, the duo is continuing to utilize Smith’s expertise on issues of marketing and human resource management as the business continues to evolve.

Jan Rega, Director of the Skylands SBDC (far left) stands with Lara Baldwin of Landmark Event Services, Skylands SBDC Assistant Director Jim Smith, and Lara's husband Alan. Alan and Lara worked with Jim to create a business plan for their event management services firm in Fairfield.