Congratulations to the participants and winner of BIG AUSTIN’s BIG Idea day!

April 29, 2008

BiGAustin held their Big Idea day luncheon last Friday which is an event to award the winner of their annual business plan contest. Hundreds of small ‘micro-business’ entrepreneurs submitted their business plans and participated in a three month selection process. Three finalists were chosen and got to present their business at the BiG Idea luncheon where several hundred in attendance were asked to submit their vote for the winner. The winner received a $5000 award to help grow their business along with additional support services provided by Big Austin and their many partner sponsors. We participated in the BIG Idea Day by donating our time to produce ‘Meet the Finalists’ video profiles of the participants.

Big Austin is a non-profit organization founded and headed by Jeannette Peten that helps and supports the growth of Austin’s small business entrepreneurs. They provide a special focus on minority and women owned business and have successfully nurtured literally hundreds of fledging companies find their footing. We got to work with some of the people behind the organization of BiGAustin and their dedication to helping support these companies was amazing. What really struck us was the sincere gratitude each of the participants expressed for the support BiGAustin had given them - including the runner up’s, whom were not competing on Big Idea day. We were excited about being able to give of our time beause we absolutely believe in the cause of supporting small business. We thoroughly enjoyed working with each of the finalists to produce their videos. They are each extremely passionate about their companies and it shows.

Meet the Finalists!

Gayle Skiera - The Money Academy

Erin Sheppard & Angela Colbert - Austin Baby!

Faith Beltz - South Austin Birth & Wellness Center

See their videos!

And the winner is…………Gayle Skiera from the Money Academy. Congratulations Gayle - job well done! “The entire process of the competition has been a fantastic experience that has opened up many new opportunities and possibilities.” Gayle said of working with Big Austin.

Our hat is off to Jeanette, Claudia, Chelsi, Edith and the rest of the hard working team at BiGAustin for their tireless support of the Austin small business community. And, I’d like to offer a special thanks to Michelle Anton, the keynote speaker and an associate producer of The Oprah WinFrey Show as she provided some rough edit ideas for our video profiles.

Here’s to the entrepreneurial spririt within their organization and the entrepreneurial spirit they help to nurture and inspire!

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