UW-Green Bay alumna Jodi Gonzales is Door County Business Plan Winner
Congratulations to UW-Green Bay alumna Jodi Gonzales of Jodi Rose Studio for submitting the winning business plan of the 19th annual Door County Entrepreneur Training Program business plan contest.
Jodi Gonzales
Gonzales completed the Entrepreneurial Training Program (ETP) class facilitated by Small Business Development Center Director Tara Carr. ETP is an eight-week course for startup ventures or current business owners that want to grow an existing business. SBDC consultant David Stauffacher has consulted Jodi throughout the process.
The Door County Economic Development Corporation and UW-Green Bay Small Business Development Center commend Jodi Rose on her exceptionally written business plan, which scored 97/100 points.
“The Entrepreneurial Training Program was a real game-changer,” Gonzales stated. “Alongside a general description of my business, and development of my budget, I was encouraged to closely examine the various staff and management roles I perform as a solo entrepreneur. This informed improvements in time management, work space, job satisfaction, and overall performance. Meanwhile, it helped me define more specific and attainable goals.”
As the 2020 business plan contest winner Jodi Rose Studio receives $1,000 in cash to use on business expenses. The $1,000 award was generously sponsored by Associated Bank, Bank of Luxemburg, and Nicolet National Bank.
“I have reviewed many business plans in my career but Jodi’s was not only detailed and well researched, it was stunning in design,” noted Steve Jenkins, executive director of the Door County Economic Development Corporation. “Jodi not only had a robust, well-crafted plan but she was able to draw you deeply into her vision and story to better understand her business.”
A panel of experienced judges representing the 3 sponsoring banks evaluated the top business plans from the entrepreneurs enrolled in the 2020 class. The entrepreneur students learned the building blocks of a successful business plan, and wrote their plans with the help of Tara Carr and Dave Stauffacher from the UW-Green Bay SBDC and DCEDC. The eight-week course covered such topics as Research, Marketing, Organizational Matters, Financial Planning, Projections and Managing Growth.
Other business plans submitted for consideration represented a variety of different industries:
- Smokin’ Tom’s TEAM BBQ – BBQ Food Truck (2nd Place)
- Euphoria 54209 – Hair Salon (3rd Place)
- Door County Yoga & Massage – Yoga, Health & Wellness (4th Place)
- Bill’s Farmer Gene & Aquaponics – Aquaponics
- Door County Kicksled- Outdoor winter activities
- Farm & Forest Woodworking – Custom woodworking shop
- Mi Casa Business Plan – Cleaning & rental service
- Ollin Mushroom – Cultivation company
- Under an Acre Farm – Farm Stand & Edible Plant Nursery
All students who took the time to finish their business plan is a winner. By putting in the effort to learn the skills of business planning, they have each greatly improved their chances of succeeding in their business ventures. Students that finish and turn in a passing business plan are eligible for a grant from the Small Business Development Center, reducing the cost of the class for each student from $1,000 to $250.
“The Entrepreneurial Training Program (ETP) is a great resource for business owners, at any stage, to create marketing, operational and strategic plans, while preparing financially to meet their goals” added Tara Carr, Director of the Small Business Development Center. “The Small Business Development Center gives ongoing support and consulting expertise to ETP clients and Door County businesses. The Door County Economic Development Corporation and the Small Business Development Center work collaboratively by strengthening entrepreneurial skills and developing strong relationships with the business community.”
