Elevate Entrepreneurs graduation held

On Tuesday evening, December 9, Elevate Branson celebrated the graduation of the seventh class from the Elevate Entrepreneurs program. As part of the program, students learn valuable basic skills for starting their own business, including financial planning, studying the market, promoting their business and more. 

The following graduates are eager to serve the community as they open their businesses:  

·       Fresia Blanco, Entertainer, www.LoveFresia.com 

·       Ryan Fain, Ryan's Mobile Auto Repair 

·       Jennifer Mabe, Promises Matter Recovery

·       Thomas Mabe, Thomas Mabe Construction Services

·       Lydia Molloy, Coffee Break Coffee Truck

·       Amanda Walden, Nash Tax Act LLC 

·       Trevis Wallace, Real Estate Wholesaling

Along with class sessions and special speakers from the community, students participate in friendly class competition for some of the completed assignments. In the Elevator Pitch Competition, voted on by fellow participants, the winner was Jennifer Mabe.

Ryan Fain was the winner in the Executive Summary competition, which also includes analyzing startup costs and cash flow.  

Featured speaker for the evening was Ethan Moore, owner of Moore's Exteriors. He shared his own business journey, starting with cramming ladders in sedans to complete simple window washings, to now running multiple crews completing major projects. Moore stressed the importance of consistent, daily actions to make progress over time.

For the next session of classes, Elevate Entrepreneurs is teaming up with Taney County Partnership and the Missouri Small Business Development Center to offer the Early-Stage Business Boot Camp.  Classes will be hosted at the Branson Chamber of Commerce, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday evening for four weeks, starting Tuesday, January 13. 

The Boot Camp helps entrepreneurs look at all aspects of their business, explore the feasibility of a new business venture, and learn how to develop a viable business model. During this fast-paced, interactive program, attendees will talk through real-life examples and best practices, as they learn about valuable local resources designed to help small businesses grow. Guest speakers and visiting entrepreneurs will contribute their stories of real-world experience. There is no fee for this program, but pre-registration is required and space is limited. Learn more and sign up at https://missouri.ecenterdirect.com/events/26615. Learn more about Elevate Entrepreneurs at www.elevatebranson.org.