Category: Business News

Bill Purk, CPA, Purk & Associates President and Co-Founding Shareholder

January 4, 2018 (St. Louis) – Purk & Associates, P.C., a nationally recognized, independently owned St. Louis-based accounting and management advisory firm, was recently voted as one of Small Business Monthly’s “2018 Best in Quality” companies.

“We are thrilled to be selected by the readers of Small Business Monthly as one St. Louis’ best in quality companies,” said Bill Purk, CPA, Purk & Associates President and Co-Founding Shareholder. “Our team members are focused on delivering consistent, valued-oriented results for our clients every day.”

Over the past several years, Purk & Associates has consistently been selected by the readers of Small Business Monthly for a variety of the publication’s “Best in Company” awards including “Best in Customer Service,” “Best in Quality,” ‘Best in Accounting Firms,” “Best in Value,” “Future 50,” and several of its team members have been selected “Top Small Business Accountants” and “Top Small Business Executives.”

To view the list of “2018 Best in Quality” companies in the January Small Business Monthly issue, please click on the following link, http://bit.ly/2EUGgYa.

Founded in 2009 with headquarters in St. Louis, Purk & Associates, P.C., is a nationally recognized and award winning, independently owned accounting and management advisory firm that delivers a full range of tax, accounting, audit and consulting services. At Purk & Associates, our focus is to help our clients achieve more financial and business success. To learn more, please visit www.purkpc.com.

St. Louis (Dec. 14, 2017) – The Business Bank of St. Louis (BBSTL) announced today that Kathleen Tallis joined as a Vice President-Commercial Lending.

In her new role, Tallis is responsible for generating commercial loans, identifying new business opportunities and managing client relationships. Tallis brings more than two decades of banking experience in commercial real estate, commercial and industrial (C&I), and Small Business Administration (SBA) lending.

“Kathleen adds depth and versatility to our commercial lending team. She is well known in the St. Louis banking community with a proven record for helping clients grow their businesses and identify unique lending opportunities.  We’re excited to have her level of talent and insight added to our team,” said Chris Frein, Chief Lending Officer at The Business Bank of St. Louis.

Tallis received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Hollins College located in Roanoke, VA.

Celebrating its 15^th anniversary in 2017, The Business Bank of St. Louis operates a full-service banking facility in the heart of the Clayton business district located at 8000 Maryland Avenue, Clayton, MO, 63105. The mission of the Bank and the primary focus of the team members is to be the leading financial partner for St. Louis’ business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals who need customized solutions to guide them toward financial success. For more information, visit http://bbstl.com.

St. Louis (Dec. 14, 2017) – It pays to procrastinate! Fyndus, an international geolocation discount and e-commerce application app that changes the way people shop, announced that its “12 Days of Surprises” holiday shopping program starts Thurs., Dec. 14 and runs through Mon., Dec. 25.

Fyndus is the ideal app for shoppers who want deeply discounted items, free shipping on a variety of products, and a broad selection of merchandise and services. During the “12 Days of Christmas,” which runs from Thurs., Dec. 14 – Mon., Dec. 25, offers a variety of items ranging from must-have phone accessories and the latest hand toys to outerwear and items for your car.

“The Fyndus app brings together the best in comparison of other ecommerce platforms”, said Affan Waheed, Founder and CEO of Fyndus. “The ‘12 Days of Christmas’ is our way to introduce new U.S. users to Fyndus and experience the variety of products and services available at deep discounts.”

“We already have more than 200,000 users and 3,000 merchants worldwide, and now we are ready to change the way people shop in the United States. There is nothing else like Fyndus available to smartphone users,” added Waheed.

Fyndus, which launched its U.S. iOS and Android app during the November Thanksgiving holiday, helps consumers locate and save significant amounts of money on products and services, and helps local merchants increase their holiday sales.  The app utilizes a smartphone’s GPS sensor that provides the user with local deals, while providing the opportunity to purchase a wide range of items directly from the app.

Launched in Asia, Europe and the Middle East in 2016, Fyndus has gained international popularity among users and merchants for its ability to quickly connect and eliminate unnecessary distractions online shoppers have because the user experience is customized because of individual buying patterns.

The app is popular among participating merchants because their goods and services are targeted directly to their ideal clients and the need for the middle-man is eliminated with the cost savings passed onto consumers.

In addition, Waheed said, “After the initial roll out of the discounts for local products and services in St. Louis, we intend to add eCommerce to the platform. Fyndus the first-and-only Manufacturer-to-Consumer (M2C) eCommerce app in the world, and will give users the power to order products directly from the manufacturer, at a significant savings, because it eliminates the middleman.”

About Fyndus

Fyndus, LLC, is the global leader that changes the consumer retail shopping experience with  brick and mortar, and e-commerce through the use of an app. Fyndus is different from other e-commerce platforms because it rewards buying behavior patterns, provides savings to buyers by eliminating the middleman, and offers merchants and service providers the tools to better manage the consumer buying experience. With headquarters based in St. Louis, Missouri and offices located internationally throughout Europe and the Middle East, Fyndus is changing the way people shop globally, save money, and help local businesses thrive. To learn more, please visit https://Fyndus.com.

Nov. 30, 2017 (St. Louis)  — Purk Advisors, headquartered in Saint Louis, MO, was recognized for its extraordinary achievements throughout the year at the 2017 1st Global National Conference that took place from Nov. 12–14 at the Omni Fort Worth Hotel.

“Diamond Eagle firms set themselves apart from the crowd because of their commitment to excellence, demonstrating what it takes to excel in remarkable fashion,” 1st Global Chairman and CEO Tony Batman said. “They are dedicated to the individuals, families and businesses they serve, and they create a precedent for others to follow through their passion and admirable conduct.”

The Diamond Eagle award is based on business volume across the firm and is given to those firms that have consistently demonstrated 1st Global’s purpose — to enable intentional living — and have cultivated their practices in ways that help their clients seek to live intentionally in their own lives as well.

1st Global is pleased to congratulate Purk Advisors for reaching 1 Diamond Eagle status. We deeply appreciate Purk Advisor’s devotion to serving its clients through comprehensive financial planning advice, and we commend Purk Advisors on its continued progress and accomplishments.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of 1st Global — a monumental accomplishment for any business — and the conference theme, “Celebrating Significance,” highlighted the significant milestones earned by decades of hard work and the significant relationships, friendships and partnerships created in the process.

1st Global enlisted the wisdom of a handful of key speakers to share their experiences and insights on significant trends that drive markets and the significant opportunities created by them. Speakers included Chip Heath, best-selling author and professor at Stanford Graduate School of Business; Ann Compton, legendary ABC News White House correspondent; Megan Greene, chief economist at John Hancock Financial Services and Manulife Asset Management; Michelle Singletary, national syndicated personal finance columnist; Jeremy Gutsche, chief executive officer of Trendhunter; and Harley Gordon, president of CLTC.

Additionally, 1st Global President David Knoch provided a look forward into the next 25 years to provide advisors with perspective on how 1st Global will continue to help its affiliated firms thrive and take advantage of the significant opportunities ahead.

About 1st Global

1st Global was founded in 1992 by CPAs who believe that accounting, tax and estate planning firms are uniquely qualified to provide comprehensive wealth management services to their clients. 1st Global is a research and consulting partner that provides CPA, tax and estate planning firms with the education, technology, business-building framework and client solutions that make these firms leaders in their professions through dedicated professional client relationships built around wealth management. Around 400 firms have chosen to affiliate with 1st Global, making it one of the largest financial services partners for the tax, accounting and legal professions.

The Diamond Eagle award is given to firms based on the criterion of the firm’s production volume across all product lines.

Securities are offered through 1st Global Capital Corp., which is a Member of FINRA and SIPC and is headquartered at 12750 Merit Dr., Ste. 1200 in Dallas, Texas, 214-294-5000. Investment advisory services are offered through 1st Global Advisors, Inc. Additional information about 1st Global is available at www.1stGlobal.com.

November 29, 2017 (St. Louis) – Purk & Associates, the award-winning, nationally recognized accounting and management consulting firm, announced today that Brett Rugen, CPA, joined as a new Tax Manager.

In his new role, Rugen will work with a team of professionals supervising them on matters ranging from completing clients’ tax returns, and keeping team members informed of current tax legislation and new tax planning ideas, to business development and working with clients on income tax planning.

“Brett is a wonderful addition to Team Purk. He has a strong work ethic, he is curious, and he is focused on finding solutions for clients. These are the traits that stood out immediately when we first met with him,” said Bill Purk, CPA, Purk & Associates President and Founding Shareholder.

Prior to joining the firm, Rugen worked at Aegion Corporation as a Tax Manager where he prepared various components of quarterly income tax provisions for U.S., entities, and assisted with tax savings strategies and planning of federal, state and local jurisdictions. He also has more than 10 years of tax and accounting experience working for local public accounting firms.

“I’m thrilled to be the newest team member to join Purk & Associates. The firm has an incredible reputation locally and nationally as one of the best places to work in St. Louis and one of the best accounting firms to work for in the country,” said Rugen. “What drew me to the firm is the entrepreneurial culture.”

Rugen earned a Master of Accountancy and Certificate of Taxation, and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Missouri, Columbia, where he graduated cum laude.

Founded in 2009 with headquarters in St. Louis, Purk & Associates, P.C., is a nationally recognized and award winning, independently owned accounting and management advisory firm that delivers a full range of tax, accounting, audit and consulting services. At Purk & Associates, our focus is to help our clients achieve more financial and business success. To learn more, please visit http://purkpc.com.

November 24, 2017 (St. Louis) – FYNDUS, an international geolocation discount and e-Commerce application, introduces the iOS and Android application in the USA, to coincide with Black Friday and Cyber Monday.  This app will give the user the ability to find local deals and savings for goods, services, and at restaurants.

The application uses the smartphone’s GPS sensor, to provide the user with local deals, while also providing the opportunity to purchase a wide range of items directly from the app. The FYNDUS app has been extremely successful internationally, with over 200,000 registered users in the United States, Canada,  India, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, and Dubai; there are buyers from China, Vietnam, and Thailand

“We are very excited to introduce the FYNDUS smartphone application and website to the USA, beginning in St. Louis, Missouri”, says Affan Waheed, Founder and CEO of FYNDUS. “We already have over 200,000 users and 4,000 merchants in Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Now we are ready to change the way people shop in the United States. There is nothing else like FYNDUS available to smartphone users.”

In addition, Waheed states, “After the initial roll out of the discounts for local products and services in St. Louis, we intend to add eCommerce to the platform. FYNDUS the first-and-only Manufacturer-to-Consumer (M2C) eCommerce app in the world, and will give users the power to order products directly from the manufacturer, at a significant savings, because it eliminates the middleman.”

FYNDUS combines the best features of Groupon, Wish, Alibaba, and Amazon, while also benefitting the merchant, because advertising on the app is free  FYNDUS receives revenue when a coupon or product is purchased through the app.

The FYNDUS LLC headquarters is located at 15332 Manchester Rd., Suite 203 in Ellisville, Missouri. To learn more about the platform, please visit https://fyndus.com.

T.J. Hoeferlin, Director of Assurance for Purk & Associates, P.C.

T.J. Hoeferlin, Director of Assurance for Purk & Associates, P.C., the leading St. Louis-based independently owned accounting and management consulting firm, was selected as one of Small Business Monthly’s “2017 Best Accountants.”

Hoeferlin joined Purk & Associates in 2016. He is responsible for all assurance related services including audits, reviews, compilations, and agreed upon procedures. Hoeferlin oversees and manages areas ranging from engagement management and client service to research and implementation of new accounting and auditing standards.

“We are thrilled to have T.J. as a member of the Purk & Associates team. He leads by example. T.J.’s enthusiasm, client focus and leadership have made a positive impact on our team and for our clients,” said Bill Purk, CPA, Purk & Associates president and founding shareholder.

Prior to joining Purk & Associates, Hoeferlin worked for a subsidiary of Emerson Electric as Global Director of Financial Reporting and Analysis for Emerson Process Management Remote Automation Solutions based in Houston where he was responsible for management over all financial reporting and accounting matters. While at Emerson Electric during his 10-year career, Hoeferlin held management positions in the corporate finance and audit departments. He also worked at a St. Louis-based accounting firm for more than 10 years.

Hoeferlin earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Truman State University located in Kirksville, MO, and received a Master of Business Administration from Washington University. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants. Hoeferlin is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and Certified Internal Auditor (CIA).

To see the list of Small Business Monthly’s “2017 Best Accountants,” please visit the following link, http://www.sbmon.com/Awards/Article/1211/Best-Accountants-2017.

Founded in 2009 with headquarters in St. Louis, Purk & Associates, P.C., is a nationally recognized and award winning, independently owned accounting and management advisory firm that delivers a full range of tax, accounting, audit and consulting services. At Purk & Associates, our focus is to help our clients achieve more financial and business success. To learn more, please visit http://purkpc.com.

September 6, 2017 (St. Louis) – Purk & Associates, P.C., the leading St. Louis-based independently owned accounting and management consulting firm, was selected as one of Small Business Monthly’s “2017 Future 50” companies, an award to recognize the privately held companies that are key economic indicators of regional business growth.

“This is an honor to be recognized as one of the Future 50 award recipients. We understand the small business community of St. Louis because most of our clients are small business owners. The local entrepreneurial community is growing and thriving, and we’re proud to be part of it,” said Bill Purk, CPA, Purk & Associates president and founding co-shareholder.

Since its founding in June 2009, Purk & Associates has achieved significant financial growth, attracted and retained leading talent, and has been recognized by business groups and industry organizations for company awards and recognition of individual employees.

Purk & Associates has doubled the number of full-time positions since 2009 to more than 25 professionals with less than a 10 percent turnover of talent. The firm’s team members collectively have contributed hundreds of hours of accounting and other professional services to a variety of non-profits throughout the St. Louis region.

Within the past five years, the firm has been recognized by the business community and accounting industry as one of the country’s leading accounting firms. Purk & Associates has been named to the prestigious Inc. Magazine’s 500 | 5000 list in 2014, 2015 and 2016, and has been voted one of the “Best Accounting Firms to Work For in the Country” by Accounting Today from 2014-2017. 

For more information about Small Business Monthly’s “Future 50” 2017 recipients, please click here.

Founded in 2009 with headquarters in St. Louis, Purk & Associates, P.C., is a nationally recognized and award winning, independently owned accounting and management advisory firm that delivers a full range of tax, accounting, audit and consulting services. At Purk & Associates, our focus is to help our clients achieve more financial and business success. To learn more, please visit http://purkpc.com.

Ann Marie Mayuga is AMM Communications co-founder and principal

September 6, 2017 (St. Louis) – AMM Communications LLC, a WBE-certified, St. Louis-based public relations, communications skills training and marketing firm, was selected as one of Small Business Monthly’s “2017 Future 50” companies, an award recognizing privately held companies that are key economic indicators for regional business growth.

“This is an honor to be selected as one of the Future 50 award recipients. We are thrilled to be included with this amazing group of local companies. Give the caliber of the Future 50 companies, St. Louis has a bright future,” said Ann Marie Mayuga, AMM Communications principal and co-founder.

For more information about Small Business Monthly’s “Future 50” 2017 recipients, please click here.

AMM Communications has also been voted one of the “Best St. Louis Public Relations Firms” by the readers of Small Business Monthly for eight consecutive years from 2010-17.

Founded in 2008, AMM Communications LLC, the St. Louis-based strategic marketing communications, public relations, and talent acquisition firm, provides media relations, business development, crisis communications, content marketing, internal communications, communications skills training, digital marketing, reputation management, social media consulting, and executive search services for businesses nationwide. AMM Communications is WBE certified, and has been voted one of the “Best PR Firms in St. Louis” by Small Business Monthly from 2010-2017. We want to help you … Drive your sales. Communicate better. Hire well. For more information, please visit, visit AMM Communications’ website or call 314.485.9499.

St. Louis (August 31, 2017) –  NutritionHQ (NHQ), the premium supplement and vitamin retailer headquartered in St. Louis, announced today that its first retail store will open August 23 at 8:00 a.m., located at 9430 Manchester, Rock Hill, MO, 63119.

Founded in 2015, NHQ now has five locations, including the Rock Hill that serves as its flagship store. The retail outlets are in Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky. Later this year, NHQ will announce plans with the introduction of its franchise program.

“We have long wanted a NHQ St. Louis retail location to further our brand, train our team, and provide a unique customer experience to every friend in The Lou,” said Ricky Hall, NutritionHQ founder and CEO.  “We are transforming 1,000 square feet of retail space into our flagship that will become the national model for all NHQ stores across the country.”

In 2016, NHQ exceeded $2,000,000 in revenue, which included its e-commerce business and retail operations. The company employs more than 25 team members. 

NHQ sources and sells only the highest quality products made from manufacturers that follow the FDA Good Manufacturing Products (GMP) regulations to help clients achieve their goals for weight loss, good health and sports nutrition.

“What distinguishes us from other supplement, vitamin and nutrition retailers is our commitment to sourcing and selecting the most reputable vendors in the industry who are manufacturing high-quality products that WORK!  NHQ Team Members listen, learn, educate and provide solutions to every client consistent with his or her goals.  To make it simple, its people and products that set us apart, and we are unparalleled in this industry,” said Jennah Purk-Hall, CPA, NutritionHQ CFO.

Hall and Purk-Hall, each of whom is a serial entrepreneur, selected the Rock Hill location to open their flagship store because it is a community they know well since they live, worship, workout and raise their family. Leveraging Hall’s industry expertise and Hall-Purk’s business and accounting expertise, they are a dynamic duo that cannot be stopped.   

Hall, who served in the Air Force, learned early in his career that strong physical conditioning leads to better decision making, stress management, and improved attitude. “Good physical health is an attainable goal. You don’t need to be a triathlete or performance weight lifter to achieve your physical goal. Our purpose is to help people make educated and informed decisions about how to use the best GMP supplements and vitamins available to achieve their fitness goals,” he said.

NHQ will sell its premium, private label brand, Legit Supplements, along with top-tier supplement and vitamin brands such as Rule1, NOW Nutrition, Magnum Nutrition, and many more.

Founded in 2015, NutritionHQ (NHQ), a St. Louis-based, veteran owned business, is the premium supplement and vitamin retailer that sources and sells only the highest-quality products online and at its retails locations in Illinois, Indiana and Missouri. At NutritionHQ, our focus is about you, our customer, to provide the best supplements and vitamins for weight loss, general health and sports nutrition. To learn more, please visit, http://nhqrocks.com.