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Retail electronic game business wins first Hormel Business Plan Competition
A day of drama and diversity unfolded Friday at the Hormel Center for Business and Technology Friday as potential business entrepreneurs competed for the first $25,000 prize to be awarded in the Business Plan Competition sponsored by the Hormel Family Foundation.
After seven half-hour presentations, the first ever Hormel prize was presented to "Game On," a retail game business, online store and game room.
But in a twist, Ben Hormel Harris, a member of the Hormel Family Foundation board and originator of the business plan idea, personally guaranteed $5,000 to the runner up, Heather's Sweets, a candy store proposal.
"We are thrilled with the applicants and incredibly grateful to the matching fund contributors," said Ben Hormel Harris, a member of the Hormel Family Foundation board and the originator of the business plan idea.
"All the entrants showed a tremendous amount of innovation," Harris said. "We hope that one of the results of the competition is that it inspires business development, not only by the winner, but all those with business ideas."
The winning proposal, "Game On," a retail game business, online store and game room, was presented by Cody Dame, Tanner Lytle and Ciprian Galarneau. All three are electronic gamers, who said they would market the latest games in their business.
Marissa Michaelson presented the runner-up, "Heather's Sweets" idea. Her plan is to have a shop in McCook to market chocolates, hard candies and cotton candy. She is planning a frequent buyer club and gift bags for weddings and other special events. Marissa sees youth age 5 to 17 as her principal clientele, with a significant number of adult customers, too.
The Business Plan idea has received state and national attention and is expected to inspire similar competitions in other cities.
"We expect the McCook competition to be a model for programs in other cities," said Matt McNair of Lincoln, a University of Nebraska Foundation staff member who was one of the judges.
In addition to Harris and McNair, the other judges were Bill Burton, president of Wells Fargo Bank; Mark Graff, chairman of McCook National Bank; Van Korell, president of AmFirst Bank; Rex Nelson, executive director of the McCook Economic Development Corp.; Dr. Richard C. Tubbs, vice president of McCook Community College; and Jim Ulrich, CEO of Community Hospital.
Other proposals included:
WILD RUGS -- Jeff Klinkefus came all the way from California to present his idea for a business to produce stick-down rugs for drummers. He said the drum business in expanding throughout the nation. He is already in production and wants to set up his business in McCook.
COMMERCIAL ENGINEERING SERVICES -- Presented by Rob Henry, Commercial Engineering Services is a plan to provide technology services and security systems in Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas. He foresees network services for computers as his major work at first, with security systems growing in the years to come.
CLEAR FREE COMMUNICATIONS -- This is a business plan for a non-profit service specializing in counseling and mentoring services for children and families. Dr. Scott Moyer, the presenter, also proposes "The Saving Place" for seriously at risk people.
QUILT CORNER -- Presented by Jennifer Boyd, this business plan calls for improvements to her business which already exists at 111 East Tenth Street. At the store, which opened Oct. 31, 2006, Mrs. Boyd features fabrics and notions.
LITTLE HANDS DAY CARE CENTER -- Jennifer Keiser presented the day care idea. What make her plan different is that she plans 24-7 care for children, meaning that the center would be available for care days, nights and weekends.