KBM Enterprises graduates from business incubator
KBM Enterprises, Inc., a computer network services company, is moving out of the Bonner Business Center to more permanent space in the Ponderay Events Center. The new space is custom-designed to accommodate KBM's rapidly growing “server farm” and technical lab, as well as more comfortable office space for the growing staff.
“We're looking forward to working in an environment that we've designed from the floor up to meet our needs,” says CEO Kevin Merwin. “The Bonner Business Center is fine, but it's kind of generic space, and we've ‘made do' as we've grown and changed.”
KBM has been a tenant of the incubator longer than the expected two to three years. “It's not unusual for incubators to have anchor tenants,” notes incubator manager Wally Schmidt. “These often are businesses offering services which are of value to other incubator tenants, as KBM has done, and they're often important in providing consistent cash flow, which KBM has also done.”
At a recent celebration with other BBC tenants, Kevin Merwin was asked what service the incubator had provided that was most helpful in getting started. “They made me do a business plan,” he responded. “I just wanted to run my business. I didn't want to write a business plan, but as we got further along, I realized it was important to have that document to evaluate our progress and to help us make decisions.”
KBM's departure will leave a vacancy larger than the three empty offices, according to manager Schmidt. “I've come to admire Kevin and Michelle. They're good business people and good citizens, putting time and energy into the community. They also have a knack for hiring wonderful people, so we'll miss seeing their staff on a regular basis. But it's a little like seeing your kids grow up and move out. It's the natural order of things. Besides, we have a new tenant moving in who is going to be great fun to work with!”
The Bonner Business Center is a business incubator operated by the Economic Development Corporation of Sandpoint and located at 804 Airport Way.