The seven-and-a-half keys to success were among topics discussed Friday to help business boom in central Illinois.

Several speakers visited Lumpkin Hall on Friday to speak to local small businesses about reaching their potential and attaining success.

The goal of the conference was to show successful businesses in Central Illinois and how to learn from them.

Among the speakers were Scott Scheidenhelm, sales manager for Levi, Ray & Shoup (LRS); Tod Lancaster, president of InformPro, Inc.; Richard Palmer, Lumpkin Hall distinguished professor of Business and Jack Schultz, president of Agracel, Inc.

Schultz was the keynote speaker of the conference and explained how his business used the keys to success. He began by introducing his company and its mission.

“To be the premier provider of development services to ag-urb communities, facilitating and retaining manufacturing and hi-tech jobs, resulting in a strong portfolio of buildings, this creating long-term value for our stake holders,” Schultz said.

Schultz showed that southeastern Illinois is in the primary location for accessibililty to the Interstate Highway System and the National Rail System, which is to a business’ benefit for attracting customers.

In addition, he explained that businesses must keep going, even through “bumps in the road” of low business.

Schultz’s idea of “Seven-and-a Half Keys to Big Success in Small Towns” is soon to become a book.

These keys embody a “can do” attitude and touch on how to shape a vision, give leverage to resources, raise up strong leaders, encourage an entrepreneurial approach, take ownership and build the brand, or your business’ vision.

With each of the steps that he explained, Schultz gave an example in well-known small towns, such as Branson, Mo. He said these steps, along with vision, values, mission and goals will give a small business the tools it needs to be successful.

“I get my inspiration from wherever I can,” Schultz said.