4/26/04
Press Release
Crofton, Maryland

The Web: It's Not Just For Spiders Anymore Sidus Group Brings Businesses To Life With
                 The Internet

By Ellen Kinsella
Severna Park Voice

Two centuries ago, getting a cowboy hat was simple; you either bought from the local hat-maker, or took one off the head of the lousy cattle rustler who just tried to steal your herd! Today, there are about 35 kazillion different cowboy hats made, and to pick one out, you could either spend hours analyzing newspaper, radio, TV, or Yellow Pages advertisements, or you could sit at your desk, type in a search for "cowboy hat" and buy one off the Internet. Sidus Group helps make the latter possible.

While today's business owners recognize the importance of having a website, most are clueless about how to create and maintain a good one and that is where Sidus steps in. "The web is exploding!" exclaims Sidus' enthusiastic CEO Mark Powell. "It is an extremely powerful medium that can augment anyone's business," he adds.

With an efficient website, a company can cut expenses, get leads, take orders, and provide customer service, but only if the website is user-friendly and effective. "Business people are sometimes afraid of the web," explains Mr. Powell. "They need to realize the Internet is simply an extension of their business. If they're not advertising on the web, they're leaving money on the table."

One of Mr. Powell's favorite clients is Annapolis-based Hats in The Belfry. In business since 1978, Hats in the Belfry used mainly newspaper advertising until Sidus helped them redesign their website six years ago. Owner Courtney Garton claims, "As a result our business has increased 300% since April! I attribute that directly to the website. Mark made our website dynamic: He changed our pictures with each season, and he found modules (programs) that filled holes in our shopping cart process so sales were much more efficient." Mr. Powell also made sure that the company's toll-free number was prominently displayed. For added personality, one can find silly poems written by Mr. Garton on the site.

Mr. Powell counseled Mr. Garton on how to get Hats in the Belfry the top position for keywords such as "women's hats" or "pirate hats." He also found a module that enabled them to mass-email customers with a single click, rather than by entering the six pages of code that were previously used for the task. "How are you supposed to know this kind of stuff?" Mr. Garton asks rhetorically. "It's a very complex world out there!"

Mr. Powell developed Sidus Group in 1999 for the purpose of web consulting and marketing, plus wireless networking. Under the Sidus umbrella there are two other divisions; RaqShaq.com and AlwaysOnline.net, both of which offer products to manage web hosting.

Mr. Powell lives in Severna Park with his wife, Lynne (a Severna Park native) and two daughters, Stephanie (15) and Lindsay (12). A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, he was the Chairman of Hospice of the Chesapeake Foundation Board for the past three years, and he also is the director of the Green Hornets select soccer program. Prior to the founding of Sidus, Mr. Powell created and was the Managing Partner of Chesapeake Marketing Group.

Mr. Powell modestly credits the success of his business to having "fantastic partners," thus allowing him to be the facilitator. Chief Operations Officer Jason Silva, "the captain," oversees the ongoing operations of Sidus, and is the creator and driving force behind RaqShaq.com. Chief Technology Officer Vincent Hardick has been the architect, engineer, and manager of both the AlwaysOnline.net and RaqShaq.com networks for the past four years. Vin is integral to the tremendous support that is provided to clients.

The Severna Park Voice will soon be using the Sidus Group for its website. Editor Lonnie Lancione states, "Mark Powell and Sidus come highly recommended; their accomplishments speak for themselves. We are looking forward to working with Mr. Powell for the betterment of the Severna Park Community."

Hats off to SidusGroup.com!