October, 2009

Semi-finalist Q&A: Solar Cooker at Cantinawest

Solar Cooker at Cantinawest teaches and promotes Solar Cooking as an inexpensive and viable alternative energy use. Information from their grant application is available here. Read below for more, and if you have questions for our semi-finalists don't hesitate to ask them in the comments section.

Also, don't forget to cast your vote! YOUR vote will determine which entrepreneurs most deserve to be amongst the finalists.

Semi-finalist Q&A:Mason's Mongrel's

Mason's Mongrel's provides dog training and obedience instruction for dogs and their families. They teach only positive training methods,and amichien bonding techniques. Information from their grant application is available here. Read below for more, and if you have questions for our semi-finalists don't hesitate to ask them in the comments section.

Also, don't forget to cast your vote! YOUR vote will determine which entrepreneurs most deserve to be amongst the finalists.

Semi-finalist Q&A: Mosiah's Roots Outdoor Adventures & Fitness

Mosiah's Roots Outdoor Adventures & Fitness offers a variety of outdoor education programs, and health and safety courses that enable their participants to build and develop self confidence, and critical thinking skill while earning professional certifications required for several employment opportunities.

Semi-finalist Q&A: Mail a Hug

Mail a Hug creates happy cards, hand-signs them with the personalyzed words of the customer (such as: Love, Joe), stamps them with postage, and mails them at the US Post Office. The emotional activities include changing people's lives by showing them that their loved ones care and have not forgotten about them.

Semi-finalist Q&A: GetYourITstart

GetYourITstart is a web based computer training for individuals and small business, offering personalized computer programs. Information from their grant application is available here.

Semi-finalist Q&A: Owl Towels

Owl Towels is an innovative towel company. Unlike other towel manufacturers, they design towels to be activity specific, allowing them to create towels that are completely purpose driven for particular activities. Information from their grant application is available here. Read below for more, and if you have questions for our semi-finalists don't hesitate to ask them in the comments section.

Semi-finalist Q&A: Moth Attack

Moth Attack designs and builds custom steel bicycles and components. Information from their grant application is available here. Read below for more, and if you have questions for our semi-finalists don't hesitate to ask them in the comments section.

Also, don't forget to cast your vote! YOUR vote will determine which entrepreneurs most deserve to be amongst the finalists.

How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I was doing some retail design and fixture building/painting when I fell in love with bikes. I quit my job to spend a couple weeks riding from Seattle to San Francisco, and decided when I came back that I was going to take the obsession one step farther and build bikes myself.

Semi-finalist Q&A: Heaven's Blessings Tiny Zoo

Heaven's Blessings Tiny Zoo is a Christian company producing family friendly games with an entirely volunteer team, all of whom work from their own homes. Information from their grant application is available here. Read below for more, and if you have questions for our semi-finalists don't hesitate to ask them in the comments section.

Also, don't forget to cast your vote! YOUR vote will determine which entrepreneurs most deserve to be amongst the finalists.

How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Well, it's rather a long story but I will try to stick to the highlights. I have become a game Producer, and my business is a software company making family friendly games. But the reason I have come to this path is because of my children. I am a homeschooling Mom, and have been teaching my children essentially since they were born. As they grew older we discovered that their natural instinct to learn through play extends through all of their growing years, and even into adulthood.

Semi-finalist Q&A: Sobo

Sobo is fitness for your mind and body. The first of its kind to combine a fun, dance aerobics workout with personal development, confidence building and shattering the barrier between you and your "best self". With Sobo, you can achieve complete optimum health in mind, body and soul.

How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I have been club dancing for years and many women would ask me to teach them what I do, so I finally decided to start doing that. While teaching my students, I would praise and compliment my students and it would make them feel so good.

Semi-finalist Q&A: Sapona Green Building Center, LLC

Sapona offers a "one-stop-shop" for green home and business solutions. They sell and install cork and bamboo flooring, Icestone countertops, and high-efficiency plumbing. Additionally, they offer services for home efficiency upgrades like blown insulation and HERS rating.

How did you come up with the idea for your business?

The idea for our business came from a local growing demand for renewable energy support. New governmental incentives (up to 65% off!), a growing green community, and technological developments have primed the solar and wind industry for a rapid launch...