As the U.S. Small Business Administration's Connecticut District Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Innovative Internet Marketing Solutions in Wallingford has grown to 32 full and part-time employees and 150 clients since the business started four years ago.

Stephen Rinaldi, a founder and partner in the business, said the experience should impress potential clients. "I think it will help us get recognition we need and raise eyebrows among some larger companies that we do quality consulting," said Rinaldi. "We provide Internet strategy consulting, Web page design and on-line marketing. It's 80 percent in Connecticut, and we've grown 100 percent each year in revenues."

The company has made a name for itself in a variety of fields, with clients ranging from the music industry to companies providing-medical coverage. It lists Wynonna Judd, Michael Bolton, Mariah Carey, and Kenny Loggins among its clients.

"I think we have a good reputation with our clients. We have an interesting client base. We tend to grow with the businesses we work for," said Rinaldi, whose firm was nominated by the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce, one of its clients.

"We feel they are on the cutting edge in computers," said Larry McHugh, executive director of the Middlesex chamber. "They're very active with our chamber. We feel they're an excellent, young growth company. They do our e-mail and Web page."

The company's versatility in dealing with a wide range of customers impressed Penn Ritter, chairman of the SBA Advisory Council for the Connecticut District.

"They understand the similarities between Wynonna Judd and St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center and Michael Bolton and Westfield Shopping Centers," said Ritter. "They want to tell their stories in an interesting way in a new medium."

Ritter said he can appreciate how Innovative Internet Marketing Solutions has overcome challenges to become a success in its field by looking at his own business, which he co-founded in 1995. In four years, Hartford-based Business Lenders has grown to 60 employees and has clients throughout the state.

"True entrepreneurs always have an edge. They still have the entrepreneurial feel. These guys had it head and shoulders above all the other entrants," said Ritter. "They have an excellent product."

Innovative Internet Marketing Solutions will be one of 13 select businesses which will be honored by the Connecticut district office of the U.S. Small Business Administration on June 3 at the Radisson Hotel in Cromwell.

Record Journal - Thursday, May 27, 1999 By Richard Lee, Record-Journal Staff