2009 Finalists Blog

Is the BiG DAY tomorrow already?

World Wise Grains — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 20:04:49 +0000

Where did the time go? We at World Wise Grains are so
honored to be chosen as one of the three finalists. And,
what great company we keep!
Where would any of us be without BiGAUSTIN?
BiG is one of the BIGGEST gifts Kim and I have received.
BiG has been with us on this journey from the very beginning.
And it just keeps getting better! The best part of BIG is that
they are helping hundreds of other entreprenuers just like
us. We are so fortunate that BiGAUSTIN is in our community
for everyone. I hope to be a granny grainiac, retired from
World Wise Grains, returning to BiGAUSTIN to give back in
the ways we were given for our ideas and dreams.
Let’s have fun and make BiGAUSTIN proud of all of us.

Kristen, Grainiac
World Wise Grains

Since Winning the 2008 Business Plan Competition- Note from The Money Academy

BIG | idea Austin — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:56:38 +0000

Since winning the BiG Idea Business Plan Competition last year, the company has experienced rapid growth, especially in formalizing our processes and preparing to expand into other markets. The honor of being chosen as a business with great potential has attracted several key supporters that have been instrumental in setting us on a path of growth. The mission of the company is to provide young people with the tools and skills to be financially stable. Our new growth has allowed us to bring this important education to even more students at a time when it is even more vitally important.

BiG Austin has been a powerful ally for The Money Academy over the years. The support we have received in designing our company to succeed has made a difference to so many people. Most obviously by providing rewarding employment to the people who work here, but also in allowing The Money Academy to reach into the Austin community and train our coaches and counselors, who then take this education back into their lives and families. We can see that our efforts will truly support an end to generational poverty and contribute to a world that works for everyone.

Program growth: Doubled the number of Entrepreneur Camp programs, from 10 in 2008 to 19 in 2009

Percentage employee growth:

2008, One full time (myself) and 1 Part time, and 3 program leaders, 6 teen counselors

2009, 2 Full time and 4 part time, and 6 program leaders, 15 teen counselors.

The numbers don’t really tell the story, so here are some things that have happened since last year at this time:

· Preparing to go to market with a published curriculum for the elementary financial education programs and the week long Entrepreneur Camp program.

· Launched a Non-Profit, Foundations for Family Financial Education, that brings financial education into low-mod income schools.

· Received our first round of seed funding to finance the expansion plan for our national launch.

· Increased Media Coverage: Fox News Morning Show, Austin American Statesman, 2/14/09, Austin Woman Magazine, March, 09, KUT “All Things Considered”

Gayle Reaume

2008 BiG idea day Business Plan Competition Winner

Two Days Until Big Idea Day ….

Baby Greens — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:41:57 +0000

As Big Idea day draws closer, I have to admit that I’m getting a bit nervous. It’s actually a combination of excitement and nerves. I’m really excited to hear from Jeanette Peten about her retirement. It will be sad to see her move on from BIG Austin, but I know her speech is going to be awesome. I’m so curious as to who her successor will be. I know who I’m rooting for, but I’m sure whomever is chosen will be able to lead BIG to the next phase of its development.

I’ve been reading about the other finalists in the business plan competition, and I’m really impressed with the other businesses. It’s not too surprising that a business plan competition in a city like Austin would have finalists whose businesses are all doing something positive in the community. I really love that. Though I feel there is room in the business world for a wide variety of products and services, I have lots of respect for those entrepreneurs who are creating lucrative businesses that are making positive changes in the world in which we live. I’m looking forward to meeting the other finalists on Friday.

Until then, I return to my juggling act which I perform daily at Baby Greens locations in South, North and Downtown Austin. Best of luck to us all.

Cheers,

Sharon
Owner, Baby Greens

What else is going on?

Ref-Use — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 23:49:41 +0000

So…

Since the BiG Austin competition began, people are buying less furniture. The good news (for Ref-use) from our retailers is, people still seem to be visiting and buying from construction/home improvement stores. This is positive news for the future of Ref-use flooring and laminate sheets! Our first flooring project will be completed by summer. Check out Michael Parkes, the designer we worked with at: www.speklife.com.

This month we had a cute little article written about us in the local Austin Magazine Rare. It’s nice to get a little love from the greatest city in the world. You can view the article at: http://issuu.com/raremagazine/docs/april2009green (pages 18-19).

We’re looking forward to the BiG Idea day this Friday. Thanks to all of our supporters, customers, and retailers. The creativity and excitement of Austin drives us to provide products that customers can enjoy and feel good about. Ref-use out.

Adam Edwards, Co-founder Ref-use, Inc.

Marketing Commitment for Small Business (Part 2 of 4)

BIG | idea Austin — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 22:17:05 +0000

Marketing Methods

Where will you find your customers? And, once found how do you communicate with them? Small business marketing demands that each method be analyzed to determine which will provide the most impact for the allocated budget. Not because it is fun to do or someone else did it. But, what will it do for your product/service? With that in mind along with an understanding of where your customers will be when they will see your business or a message related to your business consider the following:

Canvassing, personal letters, tele-marketing, circulars/brochures, signs on bulletin boards, classified ads, outdoor signs, advertisements in the yellow pages, newspapers or magazines, and on radio, television and billboards, direct mail, advertising specialties such as imprinted ball caps or pens, samples, seminars and demonstrations, sponsoring of events, exhibiting at trade shows and using search lights, T-shirt ads, and public relations. Then analyze budget to customer contact. Not just contact with people but contact with prospective customers.

Three Most important Marketing Secrets

1. You must be committed to your marketing program.

2. You must think of that program as in investment.

3. You must see to it that your program is consistent.

The Marketing Plan

Positioning: Review your objectives, the strengths and weaknesses of the product/service, the perceived competition, the target market, the needs of that market and the apparent economic trends.

This should be able to be stated in one paragraph!

Ten truths never to forget:

1. The market is constantly changing.

2. People forget fast.

3. The competition isn’t quitting.

4. Marketing strengthens yyour identity.

5. Marketing is essential to survival and growth.

6. Marketing enables you to hold on to yyour old customers.

7. Marketing maintains morale.

8. Marketing gives you an advantage over competitors who have ceased marketing.

9. Marketing allows yyour business to continue operating.

10. You have invested money that you stand to lose.

Words mean things

The most persuasive words in the English language are:

you easy money safety

save love new discovery

results proven health guarantee

free yes sale benefits

now announcing

Creativity

We are not all born creative thinkers, but we can improve the process if we remember: The creative process begins with knowledge, knowledge of:

· your product/service

· your competition

· your target audience

· your marketing area

· the economy

· current events

· trends

Saving Money

Critical to most small business is preserving cash. Consider the following in your marketing effort.

· Stretch production dollars

· Barter – exchange your product or services for a marketing service

· Co-op funds with others

· Utilize BiG Austin network and services

· Free Research

· Printing in “gang runs” or piggy backing on other projects or multiple projects on one sheet

· Use remnant space advertising or space that the media has not been able to sell

Free Research

Small business people do not have the resources of staff and funds that many larger businesses enjoy hence it is important to get back to basics when getting things done. Information is knowledge so where do you get it for free?

· Library (market studies of the Austin area, studies of similar products or services, demographic-type studies, etc.) Get to know your Librarian and seek their help to find the answers to your market related questions.

· Ask your customers. (lengthy surveys are OK but not too often) Let your customers know you are seeking information to better serve them.

· Survey people who use similar products and services to yours.

· Consider Focus Groups of key customer segments (a discount coupon or similar may be your only cost)

John C. Fleming

BiG Austin Board Member

How will you ARZU?

World Wise Grains — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 23:55:49 +0000

I love the way I feel when I eat right and exercise. Arzu
definitely helps me in the eating right category! One of my
favorite ways to ARZU is the quick Southwest Tuna right at
work. Simply prepare Southwest ARZU (only water and
microwave needed), add a can of tuna and a dash of
half&half. Delicious and Nutritious!

Now, how will you ARZU?

See recipes at our website, www.tryarzu.com

Eat Right, Stay Healthy, and Have FUN!

Kristen, Grainiac at World Wise Grains

Baby Greens Downtown

Baby Greens — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 03:40:58 +0000

I took a tour of the latest Baby Greens store scheduled to open April/May. Looks super fabulous. This is the first store that is new construction. It’s such a trip to see how far the space has come. What started out as a 500 square foot travel agency has been transformed into a 2,000 square foot fabulous Baby Greens. Can’t wait for the grand opening!

Sharon
Owner, Baby Greens

Marketing Commitment for Small Business (Part 1 of 4)

BIG | idea Austin — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:59:11 +0000

The following is meant to be a usable outline of the minimum elements required to build a small business marketing program:

Product/Service Quality

Before jumping to the marketing and sales of your product you must take a step back and study the product or service you are selling. Have you answered all the questions related to, “In what ways can you ensure that you are offering a quality product/service?” One must do everything in their power to ensure the product/service quality meets or surpasses the buyer’s expectations. Always look at it from the buyer’s perspective and ask what more can you do to ensure the quality of what you are selling. Remember your reputation is linked to what you sell. Will it stand the test of time?

Purchase Decisions

Understand what will motivate someone to buy your product? In almost every market segment there are many choices. Why do people decide the way that they do? Some time ago I read that a study of 5000 companies was made to determine the answer to that question. The number one factor was CONFIDENCE; This was followed by QUALITY, SELECTION, SERVICE, PRICE. This tells us that People buy benefits! While you may think it is all about you or your product…your customer is really thinking what is in it for me? In general terms the thoughts in a buyers mind might be something like:

Am “I” confident that this product will provide the quality that “I” expect ; does it have the style or mix of factors that will make “me” feel good about “my” choice, the service makes “me” feel good about the relationship with the business and “I” feel the price is good.

by:

John C. Fleming

BiG Austin Board Member

Have a seat

Ref-Use — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 02:43:23 +0000

If you would like to try out our products before Big idea day, feel free to visit one of our retailers. Check out the link below for the closest one to you. We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you realize that what you’re sitting on was once headed straight for the landfill. Ref-use took that trash and gave it a new purpose. Now, it’s waiting for you at a local retailer. Let us know what you think about our work.

http://ref-use.com/purchase.html

Nicholas Petersen, Co-Founder Ref-use, Inc.

Big Idea - Big Month for Baby Greens

Baby Greens — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 18:35:49 +0000

So many things happening in April for Baby Greens. It’s becoming a whirlwind actually.

Of course, I’m so very excited about the business plan competition. I first pieced together the business plan for Baby Greens when I was developing the idea for the restaurant. And will admit, that in the beginning it was really difficult. When your idea is still in the concept phase it’s difficult to do the financial projections, as well as even seriously write out how everything is going to play out. I pulled out my business plan again when this competition was announced, and I was pleasantly surprised at how close I had stayed to my original idea. To have been selected as one of the finalists in this competition is truly amazing.

Baby Greens is opening a third store this month in downtown Austin. It will be located at the corner of Brazos street and 8th street, in the Brazos Place building. This will be our first dine in location. Our customers will finally be able to come inside and see what’s going inside. It’s very exciting.