Missouri One Start is Catalyst for Training Success at Elemental Enzymes
Partnership with St. Louis Community College
Employer and Workforce Solutions
Since 2023, Elemental Enzymes has steadily expanded its teams and evolved into a company that delivers products on a global scale. This growth has brought in new talent, broader skill sets, and fresh perspectives. At the same time, it also highlighted the need for stronger internal processes and accelerated leadership development.
In addition, several employees transitioned from individual contributors to supervisors and team leaders. They needed practical, applicable leadership skills and they needed them quickly.
Missouri One Start became the catalyst for addressing these needs. It enabled the company to strengthen its processes, support its emerging leaders, and build the foundation to scale successfully.
The Solution
Using Missouri One Start funding and St. Louis Community College’s Employer and Workforce Solutions, Elemental Enzymes was able to provide targeted, high impact development for its employees during a period of rapid growth.
Team members improved the following:
- Project management fundamentals
- Excel and data analysis capabilities
- Core Lean concepts that helped them create clearer process flow
- Root cause analysis
These trainings provided foundational tools for designing effective processes and the skills to communicate those processes so they can be consistently followed throughout the organization.
Emerging leaders completed courses grounded in the nationally recognized DDI curriculum, including:
- Communication
- Coaching
- Leading teams
- Leading meetings
- Delegation to engage and empower
The Results
The training initiatives provided by St. Louis Community College’s Employer and Workforce Solutions, supported through Missouri One Start funding, has strengthened the company’s organizational capability at a critical point in its growth.
Individual contributors, new supervisors, and seasoned leaders are now equipped with clearer processes, stronger analytical skills, and repeatable leadership practices that directly support their ability to scale globally.
By the numbers
- Workforce growth: from 57 employees (2023) to 92 (2026)
- Revenue growth: from $18.5M (2023) to $28.0M (2025), with strong momentum continuing into 2026.
Operational results
- Increased efficiency
- Improved cross team communication
- Stronger alignment around process expectations
- Leadership confidence
- Improved team engagement
- Reduced rework
- Enhanced accountability
These improvements at Elemental Enzymes contribute to the vitality of the entire St. Louis agricultural biotech community.
In Their Own Words
Our HR Generalist, Samantha Aguila, summarized the value of the program this way:
“The Missouri One Start customized training incentive has been a gamechanger for our teams. We’re seeing employees apply what they’ve learned immediately. Leaders are stepping into their roles with confidence, teams understand processes more clearly, and collaboration has improved across the board. This program didn’t just train people; it elevated the way we operate as a company.”
The measurable outcomes and the cultural improvements Elemental Enzymes experienced underscore the value of the partnership between Missouri One Start and its partner community colleges, like St. Louis Community College.
Human Resources Director, Elsa Smith, sees this value extending into the future. “This training has accelerated our maturity as an organization and helped ensure that our expansion is sustainable and strategic. It has supported the growth of our people, addressed current development needs and helped lay the foundation for Elemental Enzymes’ continued growth, long-term success, and a culture of continuous learning.”
About Missouri One Start:
Missouri One Start is a Division within the Department of Economic Development. Its training programs are customized to specific business needs, with flexibility in how training is delivered. Missouri One Start also provides support for interns, apprentices, and the earning of industry-recognized credentials under its upskilling programs. Eligibility criteria apply to all programs. To learn more, please visit the Training Programs Outline Page
