Three local entrepreneurs
receive business boost
Ideas for a baby caregiver network, unique home furnishings and a business that creates molding from scraps of sawmill cut logs are the winning entries in the BIZ-Idea 2012 Contest.
A cooperative effort between the Friends of the Homer Library, the Homer Chamber of Commerce and the Alaska Small Business Development Center, the contest was created to encourage entrepreneurship and innovative business ideas in Homer and the surrounding area. The contest closed Nov. 1.
Open to everyone on the Kenai Peninsula, 22 ideas were submitted from area potential entrepreneurs and judged on four business related criteria: innovation, uniqueness, economic impact and sustainability. The winning entries are:
First prize of $1,000 awarded to:
“Bay Baby Caregiver Network”
Submitted by: Susannah Webster
The Bay Baby Caregiver Network would connect qualified caregivers with families in the following situations:
•
Families seeking long-term nanny,
nanny-share,or caregiver placement;
•
Families seeking short-term care, occasional babysitting or emergency care; and
•
Childcare facilities needing substitute caregivers that have completed a background check, have a current first aid/CPR card and whose references have been thoroughly vetted.
Second prize of $650 awarded to:
“Knob Hill Craftworks”
Submitted by: Michael Mungoven
Knob Hill Craftworks would produce artful and unique home furnishings using local woods, including salvaged beach logs, worked iron from old and new sources, and an aesthetic base in natural patterns and forms.
Third prize of $350 awarded to:
“Alaska Elite Trim”
Submitted by: Dave Radtke
Alaska Elite Trim would create molding, including floor and window trim, from the scraps of sawmill cut logs.
From 6-7:30 p.m. Jan. 8, the library will host a BIZ-Idea celebration including a short presentation called “The Idea Is Just the Beginning” that will help entrepreneurs take their ideas to the next level. After the presentation, the three winners of this year’s BIZ-Idea contest will briefly explain their winning ideas.
Borough clerk named
president of AAMC
Johni Blankenship, clerk for the Kenai Peninsula Borough, has been named president of the Alaska Association of Municipal Clerks.
The AAMC was incorporated in 1965 and has a membership of more than 100 clerks throughout Alaska. The organization works to provide continuing education, to promote professionalism in the office of the municipal clerk, to foster relationships among clerks throughout the state and to support sound local government.
Blankenship has served the borough for 13 ½ years as deputy clerk and borough clerk. She has served the AAMC as the first and second vice presidents and the fundraising committee chairperson.
Homer chamber mixer
tonight at A Ta Ta B&B
The next chamber mixer will be from
5-7 p.m. today at A Ta Ta Bed & Breakfast, 5041 Alder Lane. For more information or to host a future chamber mixer, contact
Debbie at the chamber at 235-7740 or
debbie@homeralaska.org.
The chamber also reminds shoppers that the winter shopping derby continues until Feb. 10.
Similar to last summer’s shopping derby, participants buy a $10 shopping derby ticket for a chance to win $1,000 in Homer Bucks, the town’s local currency. Each time derby ticket holders spend from $1 to $100 at participating merchants, they get their ticket stamped. Collect four stamps and the ticket holder gets a second chance to win. Each week a new winner will be drawn for prizes donated by local chamber member businesses. Winter Shopping Derby tickets are on sale at the Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center and at participating businesses. The derby ends the last day of Homer Winter Carnival on Feb. 10.
