Northwest Wisconsin Business Development Corporation (NWBDC) and Northwest Regional Planning Commission (NWRPC) provided seed funding to launch the Pro Tutor App.
Sara Reimann started Professional Tutor L.L.C. (Pro Tutor App) as a mobile Informational Technology solution service. In 2017, Reimann noticed an open storefront on HWY 35 in Siren. Wanting to take the leap from a mobile service to a brick-and-mortar presence, she signed the lease and began to centralize her services. The results were immediate, and her client base followed her.
“The community really responded to the need for professional technical services and sales in the area, and the initial response was overwhelming,” Reimann stated.
Reimann’s journey with Pro Tutor App eighteen years ago, as the need for professional IT services was great and the techs were few and far between. What started as a mobile company working as an independent contractor for corporations and answering house calls for service, Reimann was able to build a client base of hundreds of customers, create community partnership to offer computer training courses and soft tech training, and become a regional leader in service.
The expansion to the brick-and-mortar location has allowed Reimann to provide all of her services at one centralized location and assist more businesses and individuals with their technology needs, while maintaining a mobile presence. Pro Tutor App offers services and supplies for commercial, educational, and consumer needs.
Now the mobile company has gained a centralized service area for Riemann to stock inventory and track sales of products in the store, continue computer consultation and expand sales models for both Mac and Windows computers, tablets and smartphones, conduct problem solving and repair for walk-in customers with computer issues and on a large scale for businesses controlling illegal downloading. Reimann also has a permanent education lab where she can hold classes for people, businesses and educational centers seeking training in Windows 10, Microsoft Office 365 and the most up to date or prior versions, Android, smartphones and tablets.
However, being a technological service and sales based business in northern Wisconsin is not a top business priority for traditional financing. Reimann knew she would need immediate capital injections to make the move work. Northwest Wisconsin Business Development Corporation’s (NWBDC) Tech Seed Fund and Northwest Regional Planning Commission’s (NWPRC) Small Business Administration Microloan Fund were there to help fund the project.
“[NWBDC and NWRPC] had the confidence in me to allow me the financial start to bring the industry knowledge and client base that I’ve earned into one location to service all individuals and companies in Burnett County and beyond with their technology and networking needs,” Reimann concluded.
To see if your business would qualify for a startup, transition or expansion loan product at NWRPC, contact loan fund manager Ken Pearson at (715) 635-2197.