A seven-member judging team selected two winners recently in the Winneshiek County Development, Inc. Biz Booster Challenge business plan competition.
First place went to Inspire(d) Media of Decorah which will receive a $3,500 stipend to enhance the website portion of their business. Second place went to Twin Springs Restaurant, which plans to open in early fall. They will receive $1,500 to assist in buying additional equipment.
"This contest has been a great learning experience and so good for our business as we grow and define our goals and future direction," Inspire(d) Media's Aryn Henning Nichols said of the contest. "Thank you for implementing it and allowing us to take part. It's been equally fun and challenging."
Inspire(d) Media has been printing about 4,000 copies of its magazine for 10 months a year, but now plans to scale that number back to six issues annually. The firm is run by Aryn Henning Nichols and Benji Nichols. They plan to launch "a regularly updated online magazine that, in addition to our current readership, will reach a new audience and open new doors."
In addition to the print and online magazines, Inspire(d) Media will continue to promote local and nationally touring musicians through regular live music events. The company also plans to expand its freelance services of writing, design, sound engineering and event planning in Winneshiek County.
Twin Spring Restaurant
Jim and Brenda McCaffrey plan to open a new restaurant in the fall on property they own just west of Twin Springs State Park in Decorah.
"Our goal is to serve world-class, wood-fired pizza along with some of the finest cuisine in the area," Jim said of the project. "We plan to use as many fresh local ingredients as possible."
The McCaffreys have traveled to Rome and Naples, Italy to learn more about pizza making and have constructed a 5-foot by 7-foot wood fired oven in a building currently under construction. They plan to make a variety of breads in the oven, which has the capacity to make 60-80 loaves at once. They also plan to donate fresh bread to local food pantries.
Biz Booster initiated
Biz Booster Challenge was initiated this year to "help cultivate local economic development by both inspiring and financially supporting local entrepreneurs," said Ken Vande Berg, chairman of the WCDI Entrepreneurial Development Team.
WCDI received inquiries about Biz Booster Challenge from 18 businesses. After review of the written business plans, four businesses were selected to make oral presentations before the seven-member judging panel.
Judges for Biz Booster Challenge included Vande Berg, vice president for economic development services at Northeast Iowa Community College; Alexandra White, project management services lead consultant for Dell Computer; Rich Leake, associate professor of economics and management at Luther College; Kerri Johanningmeier, WCDI board president; Ben Grimstad, president of Decorah Bank & Trust; Nina Taylor, owner of a small-business consulting firm; and Jason Trout, an entrepreneur. The contest was administered by WCDI Director Randy Uhl.
