For Additional Information Contact:
Jeannette Peten, Executive Director/President BiGAustin
512.928-8010, ext. 107
512.294-5836
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BiGAUSTIN Announces the Winners of the 2004 BiG IDEA Awards!
AUSTIN, Texas, April 16, 2004 – BiGAUSTIN announced the 5 winners of its 4th annual BiG IDEA Awards. This year's winners were announced at a Luncheon on Friday, April 16th, as BiGAUSTIN rolled out the Red Carpet to honor small businesses, the staple of Austin's economy. The Big IDEA Awards honors small businesses in several categories: the “Most with the Least” award, “Rookie of the Year” award, “Best Transition” award, “Creative Business” award, and “BiG Graduate” award. The 2004 winners received up to $4,000 in gifts and prizes. The event featured all of the ingredients of a celebrity award show including the red carpet, which was laid out at the luxurious new Austin Hilton at 500 East 4th Street. Awards and honors were presented by local “celebrities” and community leaders including Governor- Rick Perry, KVUE Anchor -Ron Oliveira, and Austin’s own small business leader -Virginia Rogers.
2004 BiG IDEA Winners:
Most with the Least Award
Webcore Technologies Inc.
Owner: Jordan BeanWebcore Technologies Inc.,a web hosting and web development company, has been profitable since its inception in 2002.The downtown Austin business specializes in ColdFusion/ASP web site development, web site hosting, on-site computer consulting, network design/implementation and corporate Internet access.
Rookie of the Year Award
Jewell
Owner: Christy ButlerThe concept for Jewell magazine was developed in part as a result of the recent downturn in the Austin economy and founder Christy Butler’s feared that some small businesses would be forced to close. With encouragement from friends and Austin business owners, Ms.Butler developed a guide exclusively for local stores to encourage Austinites to support local business. Not only did she in envision Jewell as a magazine, but as a tool to provide essential information to make shopping easy.
Best Transition Award
A Turf of Beauty
Owner: Lonnie WilliamsonAfter retiring from the Army and working several jobs, A Turf of Beauty owner Lonnie Williamson decided in May 2002 to start his own lawn maintenance business in Round Rock. After investing a great deal of money into equipment his first year, Mr. Williamson ended the year with $6,000 in gross sales and a net loss of $45,000. But with a solid business plan, perseverance and a line of credit from BiGAUSTIN , he managed to gain enough contracts to hire more than a dozen employees and generate approximately $300,000 in total sales the following year.
Creative Business Award
Kent Cummins ’ Magic Camp
Owner: Kent CumminsKent Cummins ’Magic Camp is a multi-sensory learning experience that uses the fun of magic, puppets and juggling to enhance campers ’self-esteem and teach important life skills through modeling appropriate behavior. Owner Kent Cummings got the idea for the business after being challenged by Robert Crampton (McGruff the Crime Dog’s alter ego) more than 10 years ago to combine his magic, juggling and puppetry programs into a camp. The Magic Camp officially opened in June 1993 and was an immediate success. Kids liked it because it was fun.
BiG Graduate Award
Austin’s Greener Grass
Owner: Javier SolizWhen his former employer found out that Javier Soliz was laying the foundation for starting a new business, the Austin’s Greener Grass owner found himself out of a job. That turn of events forced Mr.Soliz to accelerate his plan for a landscaping business, and he turned to BiGAUSTIN for help. Unable to get the necessary capital from traditional lenders to purchase a 10-wheeler truck and forklift to handle sod deliveries, BiGAUSTIN provided Mr.Soliz with an in-house loan, allowing him to launch the business, establish a storage and retail location and start limited deliveries using his existing truck. The business breakthrough, however, came in November when he decided to use his house, cars and other personal assets for collateral on a personal loan of more than $50,000. The same year, Mr. Soliz’s generated $75,000 in sales.
BiGAUSTIN truly thanks Washington Mutual Bank for underwriting the Luncheon. BiGAUSTIN is a non-profit 501(c)(3) founded in 1995, and is Central Texas’ single-source solution for small businesses in search of comprehensive entrepreneurial education and affordable loans. For more information visit: www.bigaustin.org or contact BiG at 512-928-8010