Patch Picks: Top Five Innovative Businesses

We have the inside scoop on these five local innovative businesses—thanks, in part, to www.NJEntrepreneur.com and the Rutgers Camden Business Incubator.

1. mVisum—200 Federal St., Suit 203, Camden—

Several years ago, Praveen Dala's father-in-law suffered a heart attack. Luckily, his cardiologist was just next door, and was able to ride in the ambulance as well as perform a quadruple bypass on the man that same night. A survivor, Dala's father-in-law is still going strong today, due to the lightening-fast speed of his emergency care. Dala didn't factor into the idea for his company, mVisum, right away, but it was a conversation he'd had with the cardiologist that stuck in his mind. The doctor said, "If I could get critical medical information, like EKG (results), sent to my phone, I could be saving lives right now. I carry this thing with me everywhere but the shower." But this was in the days before iPhones. As Dala began approaching physicians with the idea to transfer EKG and ultrasound results via mobile devices, he was met with skepticism. Still he persisted, and today, hospitals and medical centers are embrace the new use of technology—which allows a physician to receive medical data on their mobile device. "There's been a huge, dramatic change in acceptance and a fundamental paradigm shift," said Dala. "Suddenly, anything is possible." For more information, visit mvisum.com, or call 856-513-0732.

2. DCM Architecture and Engineering—200 Federal St., Suite 435, Camden—

Don't call DCM Architecture and Engineering a 'green' company. "We hate that term," said President Eduardo Guzman, of Haddonfield. "It's a fashionable term, but we'd rather say we specialize in sustainable, high-performance buildings. We go way beyond 'green,' with a multi-disciplinary, holistic approach." Touting a brand new philosophy in building, Guzman speaks with eloquence and excitement about his vision. "We're not just concerned with the aesthetic, but performance as well. Our approach incorporates every aspect of the life cycle of a building—including design, construction and maintenance." His team stays with its building owner every  step of the process, including running workshops teaching staff to use the new systems, measured performance evaluations, and using ongoing maintenance contracts to ensure maximum performance and proper usage of a building. The all-in-one approach ultimately results in lower energy cost and better environmental outcome. "We're trying to close the whole loop," said Guzman. "In the past, all of these services were separate from each other, but we're changing the business model." For more information, visit dcm-ae.com or call 856-479-9101.

3. FUSION Performance Marketing—2 Kings Highway West, Haddonfield—

Tom Betley, of Haddonfield, understands what motivates people. Currently working among several, sizable South Jersey and Philadelphia headquarter locations, his branch company—FUSION Performance Marketing—provides incentive and loyalty programs to companies, focusing on investment returns. "We drive behavior change," Betley said. "We motivate people to do things that other people (such as their manager) want them to do, such as gain new business or increase a market share." The point-system allows Betley's clients to let their own staff members and customers  redeem points merchandise or travel incentives. FUSION's concept motivates people to perform at a higher level. "We pick up where cash compensation stops" Betley said. The start-up cost for a company to use Betley's program is very minimal. After a company's set goal is met, a portion of  extra revenues are used toward  rewards, while the rest goes to an increased bottom-line. By stimulating right-brain activity, which governs of emotions, the approach works. "You'll use extra cash for bills and never think about it again," said Betley. "But when you have a flat screen TV hanging in your den and you watch the Eagles game every Sunday, and your friend ask you where you got it, you say 'I got it because I'm a top producer at my company,' that's something special." For more information, call 856-429-7001.

4. Volunteers of America—235 White Horse Pike, Collingswood—

Established in the 1800s, Volunteers of America (VOA) might not automatically register adjectives like 'innovative.' But in the past 10 years, their re-entry programs have resulted in a dramatic 14.8 percent decrease in former inmates returning to prison, and a decrease in New Jersey's prison population overall. "For people in the field, that's huge," says Pat McKernan, chief operating officer of VOA's Delaware Valley branch. "Nationwide, the prison population is exploding, but in New Jersey, we've seen (it) decrease every year for the last decade." In the past 15 years, VOA expanded its halfway house program from 400 to more than 2,200 beds, and has compiled thousands of success stories. "I see people who graduated from our program who are now in managerial positions and evaluating others," McKernan said. Truth speaks within the company, as well, with 10 percent of VOA employees being former program members. A typical day for program member includes job skill training, substance abuse counseling and other therapies. McKernan attributes VOA's growth to now-retired Director of Parole Kevin McHugh, whose vision and persistence led to increased funding and program resources. "We know it works, it's the correct use of taxpayer dollars, and it's the right thing to do," said McKernan. For more information, visit voadv.org, or call 856-854-4660.

5. Chimera Travel—No. 395, 926 Haddonfield Rd., Suite E, Cherry Hill—

Chimera's staff answer urgent midnight phone calls from clients, and hand-deliver critical documents to their homes. Maybe not the 'norm,' but for Chimera Agent Maya Northen, it's all in a day's work. Chimera Travel, formerly of Collingswood, focuses strongly on customer service. Northen creates highly personalized travel itineraries for clients, based on in-depth communication with them. "I don’t consider myself a travel agent, and I never have," she said. "The term 'agent,' sounds to me like a bunch of old ladies sitting behind a desk, gossiping and printing paper tickets—and doing so because they want free travel. I consider myself a travel planner, though I’ve also heard the term consultant, which I could handle as well. I also always add the word 'professional,' when people ask me what I do. I’m a professional travel planner." Northen said she genuinely cares about her clients' well-being while traveling, and even uses social media platforms to keep in constant contact. Northen brings the travel-planning experience to another level—one that she said nameless, faceless travel companies can't provide. "Online sites won’t steer you away from traveling to a hurricane zone, during hurricane  season. In fact, they’ll encourage it with cheaper prices; they won’t tell you that if you’re visiting Venice (Italy) in December or January, you’d better bring your rain boots because it floods." Northen's attention to detail and personalization pays off with rave reviews. Her customers call her 'prompt, creative and enthusiastic,' attributing her excellent listening and consultation skills to their perfect travel experiences. For more information, visit chimera-travel.com, or call 856-266-8898. (Editor's Note: the above address does not connect to a physical office building, but is used for correspondence).