Remote Solutions, PC is a database management corporation in Garner that provides remote monitoring of pacemakers and cardioverter/defibulators (ICDs) for cardiologists. The company is owned by Greg Blank, who is a certified ICD device specialist with 20 years experience working with award winning cardiology clinics.

Greg realized an opportunity to provide his regulated monitoring services remotely, which would be a major cost savings for cardiology clinics, and at the same time be an extremely viable and growing business.

Equipment and marketing costs were a barrier to the launching of his company and he sought help from Ted Bair, regional director of the North Iowa Area Small Business Development Center (SBDC), to formulate a business plan and financial forecast to help secure capital funding. Ted helped Greg through the process and encouraged him to attend the center’s FastTrac educational training course.

Remote Solutions was awarded a $2,500 loan from Hancock County’s revolving loan fund and a loan for $20,000 from North Iowa Area Community College John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center’s revolving loan fund. Using some of his own personal equity, also, Greg launched the business and started devising a marketing plan so he could successfully market his company.

Two new positions were created initially as the result of the company’s launch in May 2008, including a position for Greg’s wife, Jill, who is the Vice President of Marketing and Office Manager. Year two saw the additions of highly-compensated, licensed technicians.

“Remote Solutions was born out of a vision of providing quality patient care through the emerging technologies of remote monitoring of cardiology patients. As a company dealing with cutting-edge technology it’s been very helpful to work with Ted Bair and the people at the North Iowa Area SBDC and John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center. They’ve really been helpful as we waded through the necessary steps of starting a new business,” says Greg.