I Support Learning chosen by Kansas Small Business Development Center as Success Story of the Year

September 23, 2007

I Support Learning (ISL), the developer and leader in story-centered curricula, has won the Kansas Small Business Development Center’s Success Story of the Year. This prestigious award was chosen by bankers, legislators, and other small business groups from the state of Kansas.

I Support Learning will compete against 75 other entries from across the United States for the Association of Small Business Development Center’s Success Story of the Year.

Bank of America is again sponsoring the ASBDC Success Story of the Year competition, which will be chosen this September at the ASBDC Annual Conference held in Denver.

The success stories will be compiled in a publication that is distributed on Capitol Hill and used in other association marketing initiatives. The top three winning clients will be interviewed on the Small Business Advocate radio program.

A three person judging panel will be chaired by Jim Blasingame, author and nationally known host of the Small Business Advocate radio show.

Steve Waddell is the lead developer and owner of I Support Learning, Inc. In 2003, he started ISL with the idea of providing an interactive, personal experience curriculum to engage students interactively.

This allows students the opportunity to utilize their passions and interests to make learning fun and rewarding.

He envisioned a company that would enrich the learning experience, and trusted that his concept could touch the lives of students in a profound way – making them life-long learners.

Waddell credits Malinda Bryan Smith and Wally Kearns with the Kansas Small Business Development center for providing I Support Learning with assistance with developing a business plan, structuring financing, developing Human Resources policies and procedures, pricing, strategy, and networking them with other agencies.

The KSBDC also provided mentors and independent consultants who shared their experience and resources to help I Support Learning.

“The best compliment that I can give Malinda Bryan-Smith is that without her support, advice, and encouragement, my business would not have survived. She has not only shown, but demonstrated that a valued mentor can make a significant difference between success and failure.

I believe that building a thriving business requires a team effort. Malinda and the SBDC have always been integral members of my team and key to our success.” Waddell stated.

Share this post:

Recent Posts

By Steve Waddell August 7, 2026
Discover how SunEd High scaled CTeLearning's AI course to 700 students, preparing CTE graduates with Web Professionals Global credentials. Read the story.
By Steve Waddell August 5, 2026
CTeLearning now offers full Canvas-compatible CTE curriculum with LTI 1.3 integration. Learn what it means for your district.
By Steve Waddell August 4, 2026
Discover how Metea Valley High School senior Ashley gained real-world marketing experience and captured classroom media through CTeLearning's web design internship.
By Steve Waddell July 24, 2026
Discover CTeLearning’s new AI Teacher Assist. Deliver instant, 24/7 answers to student questions with zero downtime across all of our courses.
By Steve Waddell July 13, 2026
Discover how CTeLearning’s Virtual Internship Model flips traditional STEM education, using project-based learning in CTE to make math and digital skills stick.
By Steve Waddell July 10, 2026
See how CTeLearning courses align STEM and CTE curriculum with core academics—teaching technical reading, professional writing, and critical thinking.
April 27, 2026
Discover how Nikki Jarvis’s students at Lakeview Leadership Academy are earning international Certified Web Animator credentials.
April 23, 2026
Boost your district’s CCMR numbers with CTeLearning’s Web and Computer Animation course that is aligned with TEA Code 967 (IBC).
April 21, 2026
Empower ELL students with CTeLearning’s multilingual course pathways. Explore dual-language career pathways in AI, Web Design, Game Design, Animation and more.
April 19, 2026
Discover how CTeLearning is closing the high school and middle school digital divide with Section 508 and WCAG 2.1 AA compliant career pathways.
Show More