![Grand prize winner Katie Kehlenbach, left, and runner-up Mandy Kelly pose with Round Rock Mayor Craig Morton, second from left, and Assistant City Manager Brooks Bennett during the final round of the Round Rock Public Library's Business Plan Competition on Tuesday at the City Council chambers.](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2022/05/04/NAAS/1252067f-ad48-4864-9425-260bc295c4e7-competition_winner.jpg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Entrepreneur Katie Kehlenbach gained the $10,000 grand prize on Tuesday in first Spherical Rock Public Library’ Biz.ability business prepare competition.
Kehlenbach, who received with her design of a barbell collar, will receive $7,500, a Dell computer system worth $2,500 and a session with a Dell Technological know-how specialist. Mandy Kelly was named runner-up and won $3,500. The levels of competition was specific to Spherical Rock-dependent startup business people.
“I am truly energized,” claimed Kehlenbach, who is the co-founder ofAdderLock. “It can be great to listen to the validation, when you have been constructing a small business for yrs and to form of continuously be validated by customers or folks who are fascinated and people who see the difficulty that you might be resolving.”
Kehlenbach received for her patented barbell collar that allows for a speedier attachment and detachment when compared to existing collars that make the course of action challenging. Kehlenbach stated throughout her pitch that the collar will allow for people fat lifters to increase their training time without having the excess inconvenience.
Kehlenbach explained she was enthusiastic to build AdderLock by her struggles with lifting barbells.
Kehlenbach said she was excited about coming into the competition because even if she did not earn, she would come out of it with a organization program that she could use.
“That nudge of encouragement and then knowing all the applications we have entry to by means of the library is tremendous exciting,” Kehlenbach stated.
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As element of the levels of competition, entrants had to make a enterprise system and the library provided cost-free ZOOM workshops to help them commence, build and retain their businesses. They also met with an advisor from Austin Rating, a nonprofit that mentors small enterprises.
Kehlenbach mentioned she will use the prize cash to make the products with a 3D printer.
Kelly was decided on as runner-up for her business enterprise notion, Liberty Puppy RRTX. Her organization will make modest-batch puppy food and treats next Texas Cottage Food guidelines to present chemical-free of charge nourishment to puppies.
“I am extremely happy that I received runner-up,” Kelly reported. “(There) was a ton of great competitors (and) it was a excellent process, working with a Score mentor was wonderful, I discovered a great deal.”
Kelly mentioned for the duration of her pitch that she was impressed to start her puppy meals enterprise soon after the identify-model puppy food she employed was recalled.
“Our mission is to liberate canines from substances,” Kelly mentioned.
Read: Round Rock Community Library to host business owners contest
The competitors started off with 17 business owners from which 6 finalists had been chosen. The finalists offered their business plan to a panel of 6 judges that bundled an assistant metropolis manager, local entrepreneurs, chamber of commerce management and Dell team.
The other four finalists had been:
- Colette Hammons, CEO of Mahacobo, a business that creates customized presents crafted in wood
- Eric Kapinus, proprietor of VinoSwag, a corporation that assists other firms boost them selves by way of personalized bottles of wine
- Patricia Powell, who operates Round Rock Cleaning Services
- Robin Lawrence. founder of Lil Dumpling Publication, which aims to fill in a void in availability of English/Mandarin children’s publications.
The opponents had been judged on their small business system, successful use and effects of the prize income, efficient use of the city’s library information and research instruments, local community affect and viability of their company product, in accordance to the competition’s method.
“It’s usually interesting to view small organization proprietors check out to begin their small business and see their passions, their blood, sweat and tears,” Mayor Craig Morgan explained all through the competition. “I’m energized to look for key methods to continue to aid business people and build a ecosystem to make confident that you are capable to increase suitable here in the metropolis of Round Rock.”
The opposition was declared by the Spherical Rock Library in January and was impressed by the New York Community Library small business opposition.
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