06/06/2007
NFIB YEF and BizFilings Announce Business Plan Winners
| Contacts: | For NFIB YEF | For BizFilings |
| Melissa Sharp | Troy Janisch | |
| 202-314-2068 | 800-981-7183 |
WASHINGTON, D.C.--The National Federation of Independent Business Young Entrepreneur Foundation and BizFilings today announced 12 winners in the second annual Plan for the Future youth business plan competition. The competition, which is designed to enhance and encourage entrepreneurial skills for America's youth, accepted entries from high school and college students from across the country. All applicants submitted detailed and viable business plans, which included market analysis, sales strategies and financial planning.
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Demetri Patitsas (left) is named the grand prize winner in the NFIB/BizFilings Plan for the Future competition. |
The grand prize winner is Demetri Patitsas, a 22-year-old from Huntingdon, Pa., who graduated in May from Juniata College majoring in entrepreneurship. Patitsas won $7,500 in seed money for his business, Absolute Creo LLC.
Absolute Creo is an old-fashioned ice cream truck service started in 2005. Absolute Creo serves nearly 10,000 residents within the Huntingdon area. In just two years, this young entrepreneur has grown the fleet of trucks from one to three and increased sales from $26,000 to a projected $80,000 for the summer of 2007.
Winning $3,750 are Julia and Carolina La Roche of Farmville, Va. These sisters created an all-natural, non-toxic flea dip after their cat, Priscilla, had an allergic reaction to another product. This entrepreneurial duo plans to expand their business by offering other all-natural pet products to the market.
Scott Henderson of Broken Arrow, Okla., won $3,750 for his business, Scott's Lawn Care. Started at the age of 15, Scott has been able to expand his business from seven accounts to 50 in five years. Scott provides full-service landscaping, always focusing on the customer and customer-satisfaction.
"The Plan for the Future competition is an excellent opportunity for students to develop important entrepreneurial skills and learn business strategies," said Hank Kopcial, executive director of the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation. "At NFIB, we have an ongoing commitment to promoting and encouraging the teaching of entrepreneurship in high schools and colleges. We are thrilled that BizFilings has recognized the potential in these young people and invested in the future of free enterprise."
The following students won $1,000 educational scholarships in the Plan for the Future competition:
- Philip Black, Grosse Point, Mich.
- Whitney Boyce, Vanderpool, Texas
- Kailyn Cage, Bowie, Md.
- DeVon Ellis-Grant, Summerville, S.C.
- Tania Foster, Sachse, Texas
- Genevieve Santos, Queens Village, N.Y.
- Trevor Shephard, Boise, Idaho
- Fantashia Stevens, Cleveland, Ohio
- Mark Zimmer, Marne, Mich.
"The Plan for the Future competition encourages promising entrepreneurs to transform their ideas into viable business opportunities," said Troy Janisch, Marketing Director of BizFilings. "Drafting a solid business plan is the first, and possibly, most important step in starting a successful business. BizFilings is excited about our partnership with NFIB’s Young Entrepreneur Foundation and is thrilled to be able to help these students fulfill their dreams."
Competition entries were judged by an independent panel based on quality, creativity and viability of the business plan. More details about the competition are available at www.nfib.com/YEF and www.bizfilings.com.
About NFIB YEF
The NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization promoting the importance of small business and free enterprise to the nation’s youth. More information is available at www.NFIB.com/YEF.The Foundation is associated with the National Federation of Independent Business; NFIB is the nation’s leading small-business advocacy association, with offices in Washington, D.C. and all 50 state capitals. Founded in 1943 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, NFIB gives small- and independent-business owners a voice in shaping the public policy issues that affect their business. NFIB’s powerful network of grassroots activists send their views directly to state and federal lawmakers through our unique member-only ballot, thus playing a critical role in supporting America’s free enterprise system.
About BizFilings
BizFilings is the leading Internet provider of incorporation and related services to business owners. BizFilings professionally forms corporations, LLCs and nonprofits faster than anyone else. The company also offers Ultimate Business Planner software to help new businesses succeed.
As a company started in 1996 by entrepreneurs seeking online resources to start a business of their own, BizFilings embraces the entrepreneurial spirit. The company has grown rapidly in the past decade, helping over 100,000 domestic and international business owners with their corporation, limited liability company, and nonprofit formation needs. The company is headquartered in Madison, Wis., with satellite operations around the country.
BizFilings is a part of Wolters Kluwer, a leading multinational publisher and information services company. Wolters Kluwer has annual revenues (2005) of €3.4 billion, employs approximately 18,400 people worldwide and maintains operations across Europe, North America and Asia Pacific.
