Small Firm Aims for Global Impact

Northwest Arkansas

by Talk Business & Politics ([email protected]) October 21, 2011 5:07 pm 79 views 

The otherwise spartan office of SphereAccess in Bentonville features a faux-finished wall with “windows” opening onto scenes of a serene blue ocean.

Though created by a previous tenant, the wall suits the fledgling company that’s committed to helping businesses worldwide save money and reduce their carbon footprint.

SphereAccess, which launched in June, is a global retail network that gives businesses of all sizes a chance to get their products seen by retailers worldwide.

The company already has more than 50 supplier clients who pay a monthly subscription fee for the service. Clients fill out an online profile that provides much of the information buyers need to vet potential suppliers.

The firm says retail buyers in 18 countries are using the network.

The office is staffed by marketing director Joe Lee, development director Josh McCurdy and customer service director Kris Keen.

SphereAccess evolved out of a business formed in 2009 called Taste of the World, which organized food shows to help international World Trade Center members connect with Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Sam’s Club.

“As we were able to give buyers at Wal-Mart access to these profiles of World Trade Center companies, the concept became, ‘Why pay all this money to have companies come in for a show?’” McCurdy said.

Lee added, “This system levels the playing field so small and medium-sized businesses can compete.”

Businesses hoping to get their products picked up by Wal-Mart generally make three or four trips to Bentonville just to make their pitch and work out details, he said.

A round trip from China can cost up to $3,000 per person and create nearly 1 ton of carbon dioxide. And companies typically send about three people on each trip.

But for firms that use SphereAccess’ services, “all that happens online and digitally in a real-time environment,” McCurdy said.

“Our goal is to average over 1,000 connections per month in our first year and save companies millions of dollars and the world tons of CO2,” he said.