Cedartown Biz Builders
Cedartown Biz Builders
Cedartown Biz Builders
Cedartown Biz Builders
Cedartown Biz Builders
A part of the solution...
A part of the solution...
A part of the solution...
A part of the solution...
This campaign is closed
Cedartown Biz Builders
A part of the solution...
A part of the solution...
A part of the solution...
A part of the solution...
A part of the solution...
The Cedartown Biz Builder Program was born out of the Downtown Renaissance Strategic Visioning and Planning Workshop. The Renaissance Workshop, held in the fall of 2013, aimed to spur new growth and excitement in downtown Cedartown, Georgia.
As part of that excitement, a group of volunteers formed with one goal in mind: providing new business owners and budding entrepreneurs with top-notch education to increase their chances of success in the local business market.
And, voilà, the Cedartown Biz Builder Program was created.
OUR MISSION: Through education of basic business concepts and the ability to provide experienced mentorship, the existing business community and local beginning-stage businesses, will be provided with valuable insight and become more attractive to capital outlets.
As the plan progressed, we developed an educational partnership between the City of Cedartown and Georgia Northwestern Technical College. Together, the partnership created a customized curriculum focused on basic business principles of customer service and basic business planning.
The curriculum was delivered through Georgia
Northwestern Technical College faculty and delivered two nights a week along
with a networking session. The
networking sessions, designed for class participants to learn and gain
access to local community resources, help to shape their business plans and efforts.
Through our first-year efforts, we have 13 students enrolled. These students fit one of two descriptions: they are current business owners or they have dreams to open a business.
Because we know the root of any successful business is the ability to competitively market and pitch your product, we have created two competitions that our students can voluntarily participate in.
The first competition, called “People’s Choice Award,” will play out online via a watch and vote system. The prize is $1,000. Students are not required to participate; however, if they want a shot at the prize money, they’ll need to pitch their business idea in a three-minute video. The video will be filmed by the City of Cedartown and uploaded to the City’s website. [direct URL link coming soon!] A voting system will be published on the site as well so that viewers can watch the videos and then cast their vote. The presentation receiving the most votes will win the prize.
Videos will be available for viewing and voting on Oct. 13 at 5 p.m.
The second voluntary competition is patterned after the popular TV show, “Shark Tank.” [we stress no affiliation with the actual show, we just think it's cool]. Students will pitch their business idea to a panel of five judges and will be rated on a variety of criteria.
This competition, which also carries a $1,000 prize, is not open to the general public, rather a select number of seats – 25 – are up for purchase for $25 each. [see option to purchase at right]. Anyone can purchase a ticket to the event, but once they are sold out, extra seats will not be released. The good thing about the ticket charge -- all of it will go towards prize money and the continuation of the Biz Builders program.
LOOKING FORWARD: Our goal is to offer this same program next year to our city's future entrepreneurs and business owners. Classes are tentatively set to begin in April 2015 and last through October 2015.
$16,000 is needed to help fund the following costs of the program. Funds raised would pay for the following costs and expenses for the Class of 2014 participants:
· Plaques
· Cash award for the JUDGE'S CHOICE award winner ($1,000)
· Cash award for the PEOPLE'S CHOICE award winner ($1,000)
· Class costs incurred to date
All fundraising monies would be the property of the City of Cedartown special revenue fund.
Your campaign dollars will help fund the well-deserved accolades for program participation and completion. Everyone likes a little affirmation! At the same time, we will be providing monies to help continue the CBB program next year.The ability to help provide a strong foundation to future home-grown local businesses will help the Cedartown and Polk County community through increased service offerings along with an increased business tax base.
Sometimes, the greatest challenge to any business endeavor is the ability to take the first step. The first step for our participants realizing that their idea or concept has value and is worth pursuing. Through their personal efforts of attending class while balancing existing job or family obligations, they have set out on the path toward entrepreneurship, building plans for future success with each step. Even though well planned with the greatest of intentions and efforts, over 80% of small businesses fail within the first year.
Your donations help reward the effort for those who have attended class and wish to open a business right here in Cedartown. At the same time, your dollars will help others next year reach that same goal of starting their own business and that's very kind of you!
Some people just can't contribute, but that doesn't mean you can't help:
· Share and like our site on Twitter and Facebook through the tools below
· Through the word of mouth, tell others that Cedartown and Polk County are supporting small business. Tell them about CBB!
· Shop local in Cedartown and Polk County, keep your money here