[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 158 (Wednesday, October 28, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S10849]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       RECOGNIZING IBEC CREATIVE

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, our Nation has long recognized that 
small businesses are the true innovators in our economy. Indeed, 
according to the U.S. Small Business Administration, our Nation's 27 
million small firms generate a majority of the innovation coming from 
American businesses and produce 13 times more patents per employee than 
their larger counterparts. But to continue this trend, we need a new, 
younger generation of entrepreneurs to rise to the forefront and open 
their own small businesses. That is why I am proud to rise today to 
recognize the entrepreneurial spirit and ingenuity of a young woman 
from my home State of Maine whose graphic and Web design company is 
providing clients with, in her words, `` fresh ideas that grow 
results.''
  iBec Creative was founded in 2006 by entrepreneur Becky Stockbridge. 
As a senior at the University of Southern Maine, Ms. Stockbridge wrote 
a business plan to start a Web and graphic design business for medical 
professionals. She realized that this critical segment of our economy 
was in desperate need of innovative and creative ways to promote their 
expertise, including through brochures, logos, and informational Web 
sites. With a $4,200 grant from the Libra Future Fund, a Maine-based 
nonprofit organization that supports young entrepreneurs, as well as 
free office space awarded by the Maine Center for Enterprise 
Development, she embarked upon her fledgling entrepreneurial career. To 
overcome a slow start, Ms. Stockbridge soon began designing Web sites 
and graphic designs for small businesses in other fields and by seizing 
upon these additional opportunities, she greatly broadened her client 
base.
  In her continued efforts to present clients with cutting-edge 
technology, Ms. Stockbridge's innovative assortment of development, 
design, and monitoring services have turned iBec Creative into a well-
respected five-person small company with an expected $350,000 in 
revenue for 2009. iBec currently specializes in providing a wide range 
of marketing and consulting services to its clients, such as Web design 
and search engine optimization, SEO, consulting, branding, internet 
marketing, traditional marketing, and project management. Additionally, 
iBec Creative utilizes emerging media to promote its clients various 
brands.
  Ms. Stockbridge's creativity, vigor, and entrepreneurial commitment 
were recently recognized by BusinessWeek as she was named a 2009 
finalist in the America's Best Young Entrepreneurs competition. She is 
the only person nominated from my home State of Maine and the first 
finalist from Maine since the contest began 5 years ago. Ms. 
Stockbridge is competing against 24 other young entrepreneurs from 
around the Nation in this unique online challenge, and I look forward 
to hearing about her successful outcome at the end of the competition.
  iBec Creative is a remarkable small business whose story demonstrates 
how community involvement and encouragement can help entrepreneurs of 
all ages realize their aspirations and dreams. I commend Becky 
Stockbridge for her innovation and determination and wish Ms. 
Stockbridge and everyone at iBec Creative the best of luck with their 
burgeoning business.

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