Small Business Spotlight - September 2024: ACIS IT Solutions
Company name: ACIS IT Solutions
Person in charge: Travis Schnelle, President
Year founded: 1999
Tell us about the history of your business:
When Travis was 19 years old, he started Show-Me Online with a friend, a small business which provided web design and marketing while the internet was in its infancy. That same year Show-Me Online changed to ACIS and the business began operating out of a retail office space. Four short years later, Travis had earned the Comp TIA A+, Net +, and PDI IT Industry certifications. In 2005, he became the sole owner of ACIS Computers and one year later purchased a company that specialized in IP based phone systems. Collectively operating both companies, he grossed more than $2 million in revenue.
The success of ACIS Computers continued and in 2016 the company was nominated for the BBB Torch Award, finishing as a runner up. Not to be discouraged, Travis worked to improve his company and in 2017 was awarded the BBB Torch Award for Ethics. This generated much publicity and in 2019 Travis was awarded with the 40 Under 40 Award from the Springfield Business Journal.
ACIS Computers celebrated their 20th year in business in 2019. But Travis is not one to settle for mediocrity and in the same year began to rebrand his company. The new look and feel focused on who the company was to become – ACIS IT Solutions.
In 2020, when most businesses were reducing their workload due to the pandemic, ACIS IT Solutions gained federal and state trademarks and increased their staff and their annual revenue, providing dedicated service to their clients.
Describe the services your organization provides and what makes you unique:
For 25 years, ACIS IT Solutions has been committed to helping local businesses succeed by offering tailored IT solutions that address their specific needs. From their beginnings in the early 2000s, providing basic computer repair and networking services, to becoming a full-service IT provider offering managed services, cybersecurity, and network installations, ACIS has always prioritized the success of its clients. The company's growth reflects its focus on staying ahead of technological advancements and delivering solutions that improve the performance and profitability of its customers.
Tell us something people might not know about your organization:
ACIS has grown significantly over the years, now employing 18 specialists and serving a variety of industries, including healthcare, education, legal, finance, and small businesses. Recent expansions have brought their services beyond Missouri, with projects completed across multiple states. The company remains a key player in Springfield's tech community, highlighted by its recent inclusion in the prestigious Inc. 5000 list, where it ranked No. 2898 with 175% growth over the past three years.
What is the biggest challenge facing your organization now, and how are you working to overcome that challenge?
Money: It's always about a lack of finances, unfortunately. Budgetary constraints challenge most small businesses, and ACIS is no different, even after 25 years. In the coming years, a critical factor in decision-making will be to be conscious of how to change this and, in doing so, allow ACIS to make decisions based on what's right for our clients and employees, not just what the budget allows for. These strategic changes will allow ACIS to further succeed and benefit our clients while continuing to retain expert staff.
Looking forward to making the right decision and not one heavily influenced by the bottom line.
What is the best business advice you’ve ever been given?
Put your head down, work hard, and do what's right, and everything else will work out. Looking back, my most enjoyable moments have been the most difficult, so don’t give up. As long as you believe in your purpose, it will always work out.
