Have you ever made a decision that you knew was good, but you feared at the same time?
One year ago, I did! I made a choice to enter the Bluffton Center for Entreprenuer’s Ropp Tripplet Business Plan Competition. You can read my story here!
My friend, Beth Boehr, of Beyond Budgeting and B&B Investments had entered her business a couple of years earlier and had encouraged me to work through the process. I knew she had worked so hard, but was so excited about it. So it did!
It was a decision that brought both clarity for what I was best at in my business, as it hammered out the unessential. It gave substance to a “business” that may have been more therapeutic for my own healing than for the many others I wished to serve. As I walked through the process with others who had a dream, I found comfort, and comradery, but also confidence. I can do this! We can do this!
I met Fred Steiner– encourager of dreams and teller of people’s stories in the Bluffton & Ada ICON. But he was also chair of the BCE organization as well as the Bluffton Chamber.
We worked with Kathy Keller– Project Coordinator of the Small Business Development Center at Rhodes State, and also trainer for the Business Plan Competition. Not only did she walk us through the myriad of details important for a business plan, but she also inspired us to do it.
We heard from Brendon Matthews, First National Bank and former chair of the Bluffton Center for Entreprenuers in regards to finances for our business.
I worked with Rachel Davis of Studio Silhouette,
Todd Larson of Larson Barbecue,
and Ruth Everett of Healing Touches.
These people shared a common goal of wanting to win this competion, yet all inspired, encouraged, challenged and supported each other in the process. I count each as a friend and solid business connection.
But more importantly than all of that was the sweet awareness that My Dream was becoming reality. The potential I saw was possible. I’ve gone back to that moment so many times when I feel like it is getting too hard, or something doesn’t go as planned. It reminds me over and over that this was meant to happen. It may be different than I thought, but it is worth keeping on! So I do!
Here we are a year later. It’s that time of the year again for the Ropp Tripplett Business Plan Competition.
What’s your dream? Have you been toying with taking your hobby a step further? Now’s the time!
I’m urging you to give a serious look at entering the 2015 Bluffton Center for Entrepreneurs business plan competition. I believe these sessions could really benefit your business as it evolves.
There are three cash prizes to assist winners with business expenses:
- First place, $4,000
- Second place $1,500
- Third place $500
The sessions are only two hours on Wednesday evenings from Jan. 14 to March 11. The first session is free – it’s Wednesday, Jan. 14. I’ve attached some information about the competition. All sessions are in the third floor of the Bluffton town hall.
Click here for more information. If you still have any questions, please ask. Or click here for the 2015 Fact sheet.
Don’t worry about the 3-page overview requirement in the application. If you can’t put that together by Jan. 21 that’s not a big deal. They are more interested if having you think about what your business is all about.
Come on! Just talk to Fred Steiner by January 14. Your dream is worth the risk. Do it!
Let me know! I’ll be a cheerleader for your dream!