Ivy Tech Community College Northeast announces finalists for 2014 New Venture Competition

Ivy Tech Community College Northeast has announced the three finalists for its 2014 New Venture Competition. In its fourth year, the competition’s champion will receive at least $20,000 in start-up capital for presenting the best business plan for her small business.

The finalists and their plans are as follows:

• Beth Scholer, Caregivers Kitchen—This company provides hands-on training for the home health care industry, focusing on food safety, nutrition, meal planning, grocery shopping, and food and beverage preparation. Caregivers take classes and earn certificates. Scholer’s business philosophy: All of our past life experiences shape who were are. Whether it is how we were raised, a job, a hobby, or even a menial task—it molds us. It is up to us to take all of those experiences and become who we were meant to be.

  

• Heather Overmyer, Events from Above—The business provides event planning, event design and decoration, catering, and quality balloon displays. Overmyer’s business philosophy: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.” James 1:17 This quote pushes me to know that God gave me a perfect gift, and I want to do the same to others through my skills.

  

• Maggie Kitch, Pure Power Nutrition—This service provides educational and motivational nutrition and invites clients to better themselves physically, mentally, and socially. Kitch’s business philosophy: First you make your habits, and then your habits make you.

  

“Now in its fourth year, the New Venture Competition continues to find the best students with the most exciting business ideas,” says Jim Tolbert, who heads the competition. “I’m looking forward to seeing these three finalists present their business plans.”

The New Venture Awards Dinner is at 5 p.m. Sept. 18 on Ivy Tech Northeast’s Coliseum Campus, 3800 N. Anthony Blvd., in Room 1640. The awards banquet will feature a presentation by the finalists, and community judges will vote on the New Venture champion at the event.

This year, the competition has partnered with Fort Wayne SCORE, a group that grows successful small businesses across the country. The group, made of volunteer experienced business owners and managers, will be providing mentorship for the finalists.

The New Venture Competition is sponsored by JB Tool, Die & Engineering and owners Dave and Mary Bear.