John Simanowitz - 33, founder and CEO of Integrity, a St. Louis-based online branding and marketing firm.

FAMILY - Married to Deanna Simanowitz, the VP of operations for Integrity and a former assistant brand manager for Nestle Purina's Alpo. Two daughters: Sophia, 3, and Audrey, 9 months. They live in south St. Louis. He grew up in Leavenworth, Kan., where his mother, Roberta, still lives. His father, John, a mechanic for TWA, died in 2005. A brother, David, 38, is an engineer in Colorado.

EDUCATION - Graduated from Lansing High School (a suburb of Leavenworth) in 1994; bachelor of fine arts degree from Murray State University in Murray, Ky., 1998.

When, and why, did you move to St. Louis? - I moved here in 1999 to be the art director for an interactive marketing company.

Did you meet your wife here? - No, she was my friend from high school. We didn't date in high school but were good friends and remained good friends through college. She went to (the University of Kansas). She used to confide in me, and my friends like to remind me that I once said I felt sorry for the guy who would marry her because she could really be mean!

When did you get married? - In 2001. Deanne moved here on 9/11.

Was the job here your first one out of college? - No, my first job was as an illustrator for a corporation in Overland Park, Kan.

When did you start your company and what prompted you to go into business for yourself? - I started it in 2001. I was working for this company, which is no longer even in business, and it seemed that the obvious way to do business the right way was eluding them. The head of the company wasn't being honest or operating with integrity, and it seemed clear to me that I could help companies increase their profitability by helping them create and market successful brands.

Was it a struggle at first? - In the first two years I was building a client base from scratch, but it grew pretty quickly. I had a partner at first but I bought him out quickly. I've only lost one customer since the beginning and it was by mutual agreement. In the beginning, I had mostly local companies as clients and then most of my business was from companies outside of St. Louis. Now I'm trying to get it to be about 50-50.

What do you actually do for companies? - I founded Integrity on the concept that transparency and authenticity is smart business. We are champions of the consumer and understand the new online economy. We help corporations and institutions navigate it successfully.

Do you show them how to make money doing that? - Yes, we have a good track record of helping companies monetize their online presence.

Do you have any specific area of expertise? - We are well-recognized in the interactive medical industry. Anyone who wants to offer online medical services consults with us first.

What are your goals for Integrity? - Personally, I would like to help change national perceptions about St. Louis. I would like the Midwest to play a leadership role in shaping the interactive landscape. I want people from San Francisco to move here for jobs. I would also like to continue to grow my company.

Do you have any hobbies? - I build sculptures - I call them antiques that never were. I also do some illustrations - mostly things for Sophie. Audrey's too young to want them. We also love to travel and Deanna speaks Italian fluently so we go to Italy as often as possible.

What was the last, best book you read? - I'm currently reading "Getting Real," a work-related book, and "Great Expectations," by Dickens.

What do you drive? - A 2003, gray diesel Jetta.