Meet the Idea Cafe grant finalists

It was not easy to choose from the exceptional line-up of semi-finalists for the Innovation and Originality grant, but the deed is now done. We are honored to present you the people and companies who will compete for winning the grant. Read below for short descriptions of their businesses and ideas.

In the following couple of weeks, we'll be contacting the finalists and asking them to answer several brief questions about their business. The finalists will get the opportunity to promote their business, and Idea Cafe regulars will get to learn more about other people's entrepreneurial approach, while deciding who deserves their vote best. We hope the competition will be exciting and useful to all.

Finalists are ordered by the date of their application. The voting page for choosing the winner will go live next week.


elixer coffee
Opulent Furniture & Design
PALS with Pawz
CTC Innovations
Solar Cooking at Cantinawest
Remote News Service
Anonymous Ink
Bella Designs
The Playground Guide
WOMbeat!
SafeLyfe Personal Security LLC
Rain Frog Apparel
Charmed Life Products LLC
Fairy Tale Memories
Luhrs Media Co.
Transformation Underground
padma media & marketing
I Go Coo
Heron Aerospace, Corp.
Fresh ID


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elixer coffee

Renee Wold
Tucson, AZ
http://www.elixercoffee.com

What does your business do?
elixer provides our community with a unique platform and destination to get the finest coffee and italian based beverages. We are a retrofitted 1952 Studebaker truck with a fully equipped espresso bar on the back. It is a classic marriage of Americana with the outdoor cafe feel of Europe. We are strongly committed to sustainable practices throughout our business and educating consumers of better choices. From all natural syrups, organic dairy and Direct Trade coffee from Intelligentsia Coffee and Tea, we serve an exceptional product that cannot be found at corporate/chain coffee houses. We have had many articles written about our business and will continue to push the image of gourmet coffee beyond store atmospherics. The focus is and always will be, providing the best quality product with great skill and our larger responsibility to our global community.

What would the grant enable you to do that you can't now?
It would intiate a progressive movement to better buying practices and educate the consumer. We could open up a dialogue with discerning individuals that feel as passionate as we are about what we do and how we must continue to represent the farmers in developing countries.

If Idea Cafe's Grant helps your biz reach greater success, how will you "pay it forward" to help others in some way?
Part of our goal with showing the documentary, is for viewers to donate books as passes, which in turn, we would like to bring to our local bookstore, Bookman's. We have already spoken with management to receive cash for our books that we would like to donate to a co-cop in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia(the birthplace of coffee).


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Opulent Furniture & Design

Regina Leigh
Williamsburg, VA

What does your business do?
Our store began as a franchise under Norwalk Furniture Corp. in May 2007. Although Norwalk Furniture Corp. was a 106 year old company, it could not withstand this turbulent economy. Throughout this past summer they left our franchise crippled during 2 long shutdowns and announced last Thursday they have ceased operations permanently. Therefore, our franchise agreement is no longer in place and my goal is to turn this into an opportunity to create a new merchandise mix, expand operations, and redefine our business model. We opened with the focus of offering alternatives to the traditional styles mentioned above. However, over this past year, we learned that we must still carry some traditional pieces in order to help buyers make the transition. Our new marketing concept is “Trenditional”; a combination of traditional and transitional styles. We literally want to split our store in half and have one side merchandised in traditional flair, while the other dons the current trends of urban chic. I employ 6 people. Each of them shares my belief that we fill a void that our area had for over 15 years. In addition to provide outstanding customer service in an industry were sales are often based on selling what one has to sell, not what the customer needs, we give back to the community by donations of merchandise and through our in-house Designer Challenges. These challenges provide our designers an opportunity to create items from our discontinued fabric swatches that are later donated to charitable organizations for their silent auctions.

What would the grant enable you to do that you can't now?
• Generate email blasts • Post our community supported events • List our networking partnerships with other retailers (which builds the infrastructure of this community) • Create Bridal Wedding Gifts for registered couples

If Idea Cafe's Grant helps your biz reach greater success, how will you "pay it forward" to help others in some way?
This is easy – I’d host an on-line auction for one of our Designer Challenges (see description under "What does your business do") to raise money for a Children’s Resource Center (CDR); a non-profit organization that we have already supported in the past.


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PALS with Pawz

Christine Gutterman
South Pittsburg, TN
http://www.PALSwithPawz.org

What does your business do?
The mission of PALS with Pawz is to train rescued and donated dogs to assist people with disabilities. Our goal is to Create a Loving Relationship Between the Rescued or Donated Dog and their Disabled Partner; resulting in the enhancement of their physical and emotional freedoms, sense of security, independence and the enrichment of their quality of life. As a Public Service, PALS with Pawz has two additional programs. READING Pawz & RIF, which utilizes our Therapy dogs and their handlers by volunteering their time to children who need a little extra assistance with their reading. Classroom Pawz, takes the Service and/or Therapy Dogs into the elementary and middle schools, educating students on subjects such as: How to approach a strange dog, Importance of Service Dogs in our society, Dog Safety, etc.

What would the grant enable you to do that you can't now?
We run on a shoestring budget, so we purchase the equipment as we can, the grant would allow us to purchase the much needed wheelchair lift, so that we can cross train our Dogs; and purchase some vests in advance, that way our dogs in training will all have vests.

If Idea Cafe's Grant helps your biz reach greater success, how will you "pay it forward" to help others in some way?
We assist others every day, however, we are starting an internship program so that we can train others. We are also starting a READING Pawz program where our therapy dogs go into the classrooms and assist children that have problems reading.


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CTC Innovations

Laura Melton
Arlington, TX
http://www.BusyFamilyHelpers.com

What does your business do?
Create and sell products that help busy families and people. In particular, we have created a product called My Healthy Eating Chart for use by adults or to help adults teach children how to eat a balanced diet based on the USDA Food Pyramid Guidelines. We recently began to sell the product to schools for use in classrooms. We also had a great chore chart for kids that parents have given great feedback on, and is helping to make life easier for parents and children!

What would the grant enable you to do that you can't now?
Reach more people to introduce them to a product that could literally change their health and lives for the better.

If Idea Cafe's Grant helps your biz reach greater success, how will you "pay it forward" to help others in some way?
As a single mother of 4, I have worked for 10 years to bring my products to market. I had great ideas, but was overwhelmed with how to get them developed. I would love to be more involved with Idea Cafe or any other organization that helps the "little guy" get their products to market. I've been there! I know the struggles of trying to develop products or start a business while working full time and caring for your family. I couldn't have come this far without the help of Idea Cafe and others, so I would love to mentor someone in a similar position.


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Solar Cooking at Cantinawest

Nathan Parry
St. George, UT

What does your business do?
My business Promotes,educates and shows, people from all walks of life how they can harness the energy of the sun for a fun and life changing experience by cooking their every day food using solar cookers.

What would the grant enable you to do that you can't now?
I would be able expand my internet presence and its ability to educate more people and I would greatly expand my local educational efforts for greater effect with my teaching possibilities which in turn can only help to spread the cause more quickly to others.

If Idea Cafe's Grant helps your biz reach greater success, how will you "pay it forward" to help others in some way?
I plan to use the grant to truly make an economic and environmental difference in the lives of as many people here in our own US as well as abroad; by helping them to realize the ease and practicality of using the abundant power of the sun for everyday cooking.


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Remote News Service

Lesley Lotto
Missoula,
http://www.remotenewsservice.com

What does your business do?
I am a veteran radio broadcaster that saw a need in small to medium sized markets for quality news (not rip and read), provided by broadcast journalists with college degrees! I am in 4 markets soon to be 5 outside of my local market. I provide news and host music and/or talk programming at dramatically reduced rates.

What would the grant enable you to do that you can't now?
As noted above, I would be able to serve my clients in a much faster manner with superior quality . I would also be able to handle "multitasking" in a more efficient manner.

If Idea Cafe's Grant helps your biz reach greater success, how will you "pay it forward" to help others in some way?
I feel like I already do that but would absolutely continue on my path. I always talk to anyone needing advice no matter who they are! I have vast experience (20 years) in the entertainment industry and have always prided myself in being available for potential clients and colleagues. I don't believe in competition, I believe in cooperation!


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Anonymous Ink

Caryn Murray
Cayuga, NY
http://QualityContentWriter.com

What does your business do?
We provide quality content to other businesses for their content needs. I offer real work at home opportunities for women (and an occasional man) who enjoy writing, offer training in certain elements that are in demand (such as website and SEO content) and connect my team of writers with business owners who have needs for quality content to stay ahead of their competitors.

What would the grant enable you to do that you can't now?
The grant would enable me to increase marketing and to stay ahead with the modern software I need to keep up with competition.

If Idea Cafe's Grant helps your biz reach greater success, how will you "pay it forward" to help others in some way?
A large portion of my company is to "pay it forward" to other women who are looking for a legitimate opportunity to work from home (without having to spend any money to find an opportunity.) I pride myself on this, and this grant would help me maintain a reliable workflow to provide work at home women with.


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Bella Designs

Teresa Mandala
DeSoto, KS
http://www.belladesignskc.com

What does your business do?
Bella Designs is a home-based graphic design company. Bella Designs provides clients with everything from logo designs to billboard designs and everything in between. We also offer web design. I believe in providing excellent customer service. I feel strongly about listening to my clients needs and understanding who is their target audience so I can develop designs that best suits their specific need.

What would the grant enable you to do that you can't now?
In updating my equipment it will keep me at the same technical level as my competitors. It will also allow me to obtain more billable hours with faster up-to-date equipment.

If Idea Cafe's Grant helps your biz reach greater success, how will you "pay it forward" to help others in some way?
If I am able to update my equipment hence be able to bill more hours, I will be able to donate more of my services to local foundations and start-up businesses like myself.


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The Playground Guide

Amy Lamperti
Mount Tabor, NJ
http://www.theplaygroundguide.com

What does your business do?
We publish directories of playgrounds for busy parents and caretakers. The books we publish are professionally designed, included hundreds of photos and tell parents everything they need to know to plan healthy, wholesome, low-cost outdoor activities with their kids! We include directions, insight on bathrooms, parking, picknicking, equipment, ground cover and more! The books also tell you about cool places to visit like museums, art studios and kid-friendly restaurants and shops.

What would the grant enable you to do that you can't now?
We would contract two new authors to get started on two different versions of the book in two new geographies.

If Idea Cafe's Grant helps your biz reach greater success, how will you "pay it forward" to help others in some way?
If we are able to expand into two new geographies we would be willing to donate advertising space to a charitable organization in each geography that can use the promotional opportunity to raise awareness of their ability to help parents/children/families in their local area.


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WOMbeat!

Linda Olson
Tampa, FL
http://www.wombeat.com/

What does your business do?
WOMbeat! is the next generation of local search - built upon the power of Word of Mouth (WOM). We help consumers and great local business find each other - by making it easy for a local business' biggest fans spread the word to their friends. If you are a consumer, get great trustworthy word-of-mouth recommendations from people you actually know…for FREE! If you are a business owner, grow your business while saving precious advertising dollars. WOMbeat! allows you to stay top of mind with your best customers while generating significantly more customer referrals.

What would the grant enable you to do that you can't now?
The current version, while offering great services to our 800 users, still does not offer the business owners an opportunity to reward the users for their referrals or to send laser-focused special coupons or promotions to their fan base. With just a small amount of additional funding, I can complete the development work and give the business owners a super affordable way to grow their business by bringing the word-of-mouth conversation about their business online.

If Idea Cafe's Grant helps your biz reach greater success, how will you "pay it forward" to help others in some way?
WOMbeat! is a big believer in giving back and paying forward. In fact, we are already doing what we can today! First, both founders have a tremendous history of volunteer work for charities. (For example, Linda Olson is currently working for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay to provide state-of-the-art computer labs and paid-in-full scholarships for at-risk youth.) Additionally, the founders of WOMbeat! have also formed a CEO council of web venture entrepreneurs in the Tampa Bay area (the Tampa Bay WaVE) to better support the two dozen or more web startups in the area. Our group provides much-needed access to mentoring, peer-level brainstorming and knowledge sharing, as well as information on various funding sources. The goal in forming this group was to build a supportive community of web entrepreneurs to increase the chances that one or more of us will break through into successful ventures. Of course, WOMbeat! intends to continue this trend of giving back and paying forward, but not just with the at-risk youth at the Boys & Girls Clubs or with the local web startup community of the Tampa Bay WaVE. In addition to these two important outreach programs, WOMbeat! also believes in looking for ways to support female entrepreneurs, the local community and the environment. (Yes, WOMbeat! is green –friendly too. Printed yellow pages are not just “old school” but a huge waste – the major players printed 540 million books last year, which means they destroyed 19 million trees. Totally unnecessary these days!)


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SafeLyfe Personal Security LLC

Alma Ohene-Opare
Provo, UT
http://www.safelyfe.com

What does your business do?
Safelyfe.com provides a free service that allows individuals to contact family, friends or neighbors in case of an emergency by just pressing a single button on their cell phones. We believe that sometimes in an emergency it is impossible or unsafe to make a call. Ex. In an abduction situation. We give you the ability to contact family by pressing one single button on your cell phone.

What would the grant enable you to do that you can't now?
It would allow me to keep our service free because I believe people have a fundamental right to be safe. It would also allow me to purchase a system that is able to recognize all cell phone carriers. Currently it only works with T-Mobile and AT&T.

If Idea Cafe's Grant helps your biz reach greater success, how will you "pay it forward" to help others in some way?
My business model is in itself a way to give back to the community. I believe that in keeping our services at SafeLyfe.com free forever, we can help individuals defend their right to be safe. I will pay it forward by keeping our services free for life.


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Rain Frog Apparel

Karen Spaeder
Fullerton,
http://www.rainfrogapparel.com

What does your business do?
Rain Frog Apparel is a maker of high-end, organic bamboo clothing for women and children. Bamboo is a sustainable resource that grows quickly and absorbs greenhouse gases; once spun into a textile, it provides built-in UV protection, moisture-wicking properties, durability and incredible softness. The aim of Rain Frog Apparel is not simply to create bamboo clothing, but rather to create a positive environmental consciousness throughout society. To accomplish this goal, Rain Frog's founder also maintains a blog promoting environmental awareness and is currently working on a book to do the same.

What would the grant enable you to do that you can't now?
This PR firm specializes in fashion and entertainment businesses and will also represent the Rain Frog line, so the additional funding will allow for more exposure for Rain Frog Apparel. The business's biggest challenges have been cash flow and financing, and marketing and PR are often the key to attracting new business and having the available capital to grow the business. The grant would also allow Rain Frog to increase its charitable giving.

If Idea Cafe's Grant helps your biz reach greater success, how will you "pay it forward" to help others in some way?
I have many different avenues for helping others, starting with the fact that I am a member of 1% for the Planet, meaning 1% of my annual sales go toward environmental charities. I also am partnered with Bright Pink for breast cancer research and education, for which I donate a portion of sales. Greater success would mean a greater opportunity to contribute to the charitable organizations that are making a difference. In addition, greater success would allow me to reach out to fellow entrepreneurs and offer mentoring and support so that I can teach others how to duplicate my success. As a writer and editor for Entrepreneur magazine, I have access to a number of different resources that may prove helpful for entrepreneurs.


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Charmed Life Products LLC

Leslie Haywood
Charleston, SC
http://www.grillcharms.com

What does your business do?
Hi! I am Leslie Haywood, Founder and President of Charmed Life Products LLC, inventor of Grill Charms ™, the absolute “must have” grilling accessory that is revolutionizing the American cook-out. My vision is to see Grill Charms™ as prominent in the American household as the wine charm. My product has been featured 4 times on CNBC’s The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch and also in the August 2008 issue of Inventor’s Digest Magazine, page 11. I am building a company around my invention and slowly but surely conquering the world one back yard barbeque at a time! My product is called Grill Charms™. Grill Charms are similar in concept to the wine charm but for your grilled foods. They are dime-sized solid stainless steel charms that are placed in your food before grilling. They have a flat head and the stems are serrated to hold securely while flipping, moving and grilling like you normally do. You Grill Charm™ your food prior to cooking to distinguish spices and flavors, steak temperatures, or to avoid health or allergy issues. They stay in the entire time, so when dinner comes off the grill, you look for your Grill Charm, and everyone knows which one is theirs. They are the perfect gift item for Housewarming or Hostess gifts for those summertime cook-outs, Birthdays, Groomsman, Christmas, Valentines Day, Father's Day... you name it! I have various collections for different purposes. With The Steak Collection, when still uncooked you Grill Charm™ your steak or burger with the desired charm (MR for Medium Rare etc…) then when it comes off the grill, you don't have to cut into all the beautiful food to try to find the one you want. You simply look for your Grill Charm™. For chicken, pork or other foods there is the Spicy Collection. If you like it Spicy, you charm your meat with the Pepper on FIRE before you cook it. With Grill Charms™ grillers can now offer Mild, Medium and SPICY sauces and rubs without any confusion. Those who like it hot, can have it HOT, and those that walk on the milder side, know exactly which one is mild. For any grilled food, I have The Charmed Life Collection. This collection has six different charms so food can be personalized prior to grilling to distinguish spices and flavors, to avoid health or allergy concerns or for any reason you can dream up! (We have friends over frequently and personally, I like EXTRA garlic salt on pretty much everything but my husband likes very little salt. We use this collection all the time, so I get what I want, the kids can have food their way and he can have his any way he wants it.) With the Charmed Life Collection people now can have "season your own" cook-outs. This is where the host provides the meat, the guests pick their Grill Charm and choose from a variety of sauces or rubs that the hostess has set out. Guests flavor their meat any way they wish and nobody, including the grill master needs to know or care how it's seasoned. When food is brought to the table on a platter, guests simply look for their Grill Charm. They are the griller's answer to the wine charm. With the cost of everything from gas to groceries going sky high, it's even more important then ever that when people splurge on buying that Filet, or carefully choose that chicken breast to spend their hard earned money on, that it's cooked and seasoned exactly they way they want it.

What would the grant enable you to do that you can't now?
With the economy the way it is, I am on a very tight budget for show expenses. This will be my first trade show EVER and it is really important that I make as big of an impact as possible.

If Idea Cafe's Grant helps your biz reach greater success, how will you "pay it forward" to help others in some way?
I will offer any assistance I can to fellow Idea Cafe members. I will council, advise and assist in any way I can. I will also offer discounts to members for my product. As a side note, on the "giving back" topic, With The Pink Collection, I donate 10% of the proceeds to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. My mother and I were both diagnosed with breast cancer in our thirties, and with two daughters of my own, I'm sure you can understand the sense of urgency I feel to find a cure


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Fairy Tale Memories

Angela Doescher
Martinez,
https://www.fairytalememories.com/

What does your business do?
Fairy Tale Memories makes cards and mails them out automatically on dates specified. This service is great for those that are deployed in the Military; all they need to do is pick out cards they want mailed, give us the addresses and dates for them to be sent and we will mail them to the people they want. We also offer specials for military personnel where they buy one get one free. For those not in the military, for every card purchased, we will send one to a deployed soldier for their personal use. We really want to make our main focus to be the military and specifically to those that are deployed and can’t always send the cards they want to send. Since the cards are all handmade, we can make them however they want, with colors or themes they choose. “Remember to send your friends and family birthday, anniversary, or any card before you are deployed. You can send a hand-made card with (or without) your message in an instant. We know you would love to send cards to your loved ones a card for every occasion, but we also understand that it's not easy to do. Fairy Tale Memories makes it easy; we create memories for those you care about: we are your Personal Card Assistant!” Cards are all hand-made with the best care and quality to ensure that their loved ones will love each and every one of them. They can either choose a pre-designed card or request their own design, colors, verse, and theme-choose as much or as little of the card design as they like. We make it easy for them to remember those that are important to you when you are absent from them in person. Fairy Tale Memories is also good for anyone and also businesses. Organizations can send follow-up cards, thank-you cards or holiday cards automatically on a scheduled basis. Another great option, if you remember a thank you or birthday, just call us and we will get it in the mail for you that same day.

What would the grant enable you to do that you can't now?
The grant money would allow me to pay for some needed advertising as well as some of the supplies I would need in order to give the soldiers a nice welcome home gift. The service is very much needed and unfortunately, I have not been able to get the business in front of the people who need it the most. I would also be able to make mailings to the soldiers who are going to be deployed so they can use the service while they are away.

If Idea Cafe's Grant helps your biz reach greater success, how will you "pay it forward" to help others in some way?
Fairy Tale Memories would be able to “pay it forward” by donating some specialty framed items to recently homeward soldiers who have been deployed. FTM is also donating cards to soldiers and military personnel get a buy one card, get one card free guarantee. I would also like to teach the spouses of those that are deployed how to make their own cards, free of charge. There are so many things I would love to do and to help other businesses get off the ground. One such instance is another card maker in the area is struggling with getting the word out about her art as she draws images on her cards; I would love to give her the help she needs as well.


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Luhrs Media Co.

Jennifer Luhrs
Stillwater, MN
http://www.colorcodemode.com

What does your business do?
We're a mom/daughter owned-and-operated fitness publishing company that just launched "Lean Mode, Color Code—-Not Your Usual Food Diary." We create easy-to-use, fun ColorCode Mode™ Journals to help people of all fitness levels color their way to healthier habits. We founded our company in response to the childhood obesity epidemic. Our first journal, the Streaming Colors™ Fitness Journal, was published in 2004 and has a loyal following of repeat customers every year, which inspires us to keep going and find creative ways to bring more fitness tools to market despite incredible financial hardships. Mom, Jen, is based in Minnesota, and Alexis is in California. Despite the distance, we're wired by phone and email, and this year created not just our new food diary, but also a completely new website and online store. Stop by and learn more about our products at ColorCodeMode.com.

What would the grant enable you to do that you can't now?
We've created great fitness tools that really work to help people create healthy habits for life, and that's why we have such a loyal base of journal users. We know that once a customer commits to our journal, they come back for years. (Or, as one fitness newspaper columnist just wrote to us on 10/28/08: "...my Streaming Colors calendar lives on top of my desk here. I literally see it every day. I have never reviewed a product that stuck around for what, five or six years now? And one that I see every single work day. Amazing.") But our base is small because we've depended almost entirely on viral marketing that only goes where it wants to go, unpaid press releases that may or may not be picked up, and a smattering of hit or miss Google adwords. By allowing us to time our ad message and delivery to a much broader audience, the Idea Cafe grant would give just the marketing boost we've been needing to grow our customer base, turn the corner toward profitability, develop our awaiting line-up of journals, and achieve our mission of "spreading the health." What's not to like about that?!

If Idea Cafe's Grant helps your biz reach greater success, how will you "pay it forward" to help others in some way?
When our company reaches greater success as a result of our Idea Cafe Grant (thank you!), we will pay it forward by starting a campaign to get our government "to grow new jobs at home" by truly getting behind the biggest source of new jobs in America -- small businesses, and in particular micro-businesses. We'll expose the funding gap that makes it nearly impossible for self-funded micro-businesses to grow to the point where they qualify for a regular SBA loan, and we'll lobby for a truly effective stimulus package that includes small grants and loans to a very large number of micro-businesses. We'll do this through letters, emails and our blog. We're passionate in our belief that the model for creating new jobs in this country has changed and deserves as much government support as large corporations have enjoyed for decades. While factory jobs may be going or gone, each successful micro-business can help put bread on the table for several employees/consultants/ service companies in a new model of distributed jobs creation. Luhrs Media Company's products help promote healthy lifestyles and a healthy ecology, but underpinning it all there needs to be a healthy economy and we will dedicate ourselves to helping promote that through micro-funding for the very small businesses that are the genesis for jobs creation.


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Transformation Underground

(Create Your Balance, LLC)
Alexis Saloutos
Seattle, WA
http://www.transformationunderground.org

What does your business do?
Transformation Underground is a new chapter to Create Your Balance, LLC (a health and wellness based small business). Transformation Underground is a mother and daughter collaborative effort to bring about positive change, following a "pay it forward" concept. We have created PASS IT ON CARDS. A set of 5 cards comes in a deck. Each card embodies a positive quality, such as generosity, compassion, or kindness. The idea is to begin looking for these qualities in your everyday experiences with other people and to then pass each card on to a person who is living out the quality, such as generosity, or compassion, or kindness. It is a simple way of acknowledging the positive in others, and therefore creating more positive experiences in your own life. These cards have a space for you to write in your name and city before passing them on. This general information allows something tangible for the recipients of the cards to refer to on the blog. People are further encouraged to post their experience in giving and receiving these cards, and watch positive change travel. Eventually, The Pass It On Project is intended to become a worldwide movement, with people paying forward something as simple as acknowledging positive acts and qualities on a daily basis. Imagine Pass It On Cards being handed out left and right, and people getting involved to see how else they can contribute to paying it forward. This is something sweet and beautifully packaged to convey a sweet and simple message: be open to receiving good, pass it on, and experience endless possibilities.

What would the grant enable you to do that you can't now?
Our small financial situations don’t always align with our big dreams. This grant would give me the financial means to follow my soul's delight, and delay no longer in beginning my Pass It On path, or what I know to be my calling. I have taken the opportunity to apply for this grant with the hope that someone else who has the ability to pass it on will see and believe in this project’s ability to do so as well. I believe these cards will proliferate very quickly and spread kindness, appreciation and joy. Participation in this effort is exciting, fun, and helps bring about a greater consciousness to our local and global community.

If Idea Cafe's Grant helps your biz reach greater success, how will you "pay it forward" to help others in some way?
Because the concept of Pass It On Cards are based on the "pay it forward" ideal, I will in turn fund other projects and individuals who are passionate about creating positive change through their talents, creations, and organizations. I do get excited for that day! I know it's coming! I sincerely appreciate the time you have taken to ready my application, thank you.


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padma media&marketing

Ana Lydia Ochoa
Los Angeles, CA
http://www.padma-media-marketing.com

What does your business do?
padma media & marketing (padma) is a full-service consumer, fashion, beauty & entertainment-communications agency dedicated to reaching urban consumers, with a specialized emphasis in creating targeted programs and initiatives for bilingual U.S. Hispanic and South Asian consumers.

What would the grant enable you to do that you can't now?
By providing the grant, you will enable our agency mobile online capabilities. Adding a desktop will permit us to use our second computer as our mobile source to use during presentations, travel and other out-of-office meetings needs.

If Idea Cafe's Grant helps your biz reach greater success, how will you "pay it forward" to help others in some way?
Our agency fully believes and engages in helping other professionals and non-profit organizations. From taking-on pro-bono projects to volunteering with other organizations, to using our office as a "phone bank" for worthy organizations.


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I Go Coo

Amy Goldenburg
Austin, TX
http://www.igocoo.com

What does your business do?
I Go Coo creates products that engage infants and toddlers in developmental thinking and activities. Our ingenious products inspire learning through intuitive play and innovative design. Our first product to market will be an accordion-style book. The book is designed to unfold and stand on its own so babies can enjoy it during tummy time... or caregivers can read to their infant while holding the child in both hands. Older children enjoy folding/unfolding the pages and reading the book. The first book series uses short, cleverly-written, rhyming dialog. The rhymes use sounds children of nearly all ages can make. It also includes well-designed, high contrast images of lovable animals.

What would the grant enable you to do that you can't now?
At present, I have a lot of ideas about how to manufacture the book, but lack the funds. I estimate the costs for materials and tools is roughly $1000. Once the book prototype is developed, I can market it for sales and further funding for large-scale production. I can continue to work on additional book content and other product ideas. However, without a prototype of any product, the company is just generating IP and not manufacturing anything enjoyable and educational for children.

If Idea Cafe's Grant helps your biz reach greater success, how will you "pay it forward" to help others in some way?
I have a mentor through the MicroMentor program who directed me to the Idea Cafe. I would become a mentor through that program and other progams to help other would-be business founders with their start-up companies. Long term, I will offer scholarships and grants to other small business owners through programs like Idea Cafe. I will also offer internships through local business training, college and university programs.


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Heron Aerospace, Corp.

Parker Bradley
Alamogordo, NM
http://www.HeronAerospace.com

What does your business do?
Aerial and technical imaging and analysis; Consulting; R&D.

What would the grant enable you to do that you can't now?
We have been working on an educational project/book for the past 2 years. The title of the book is: "Air Safari New Mexico: Adventures in GeoCaching"; and would be utilized by the New Mexico State Aviation Department to help promote general aviation activities in the State, by schools throughout New Mexico (to help teach math, science, geography, ecology, mapping, etc...), and by interested individuala across the nation (for the travel and "geocaching adventure"). A sample mock-up layout of the book can be found here: http://www.heronaerospace.com/PublicShare/AirSafariSpecPages.pdf If you are unfamiliar with GeoCaching &/or its educational value, more information on geocaching and its educational uses can be found at these example sites below: http://www.geocaching.com/ http://rockyweb.cr.usgs.gov/outreach/gps.html http://www.evalamar.com/GPS/index.htm A majority of the aerial footage, for the "Air Safari" project, has already been collected and processed. What remains is the purchase and distribution of "GeoCaching" tokens at various sites throughout the State of New Mexico -- a costly and time intensive undertaking. A $1000 grant from "Idea Cafe" would help us complete this part of the project. If this project is successful in the State of New Mexico, we would start similar projects in other states as well.

If Idea Cafe's Grant helps your biz reach greater success, how will you "pay it forward" to help others in some way?
While this project is, in itself, a type of pay-it-forward; our more direct spirit of sharing and assistance would be expressed (as we reach greater success) by making donations to educational and entrepreneurial foundations/organizations and by starting variations of this project in other states.


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Fresh ID

Kristi Colvin
Garnett, KS
http://www.freshid.net

What does your business do?
Branding and design of companies & software applications, with an emphasis on the overall user experience.

What would the grant enable you to do that you can't now?
Get started immediately. I need funding I don't currently have, but I have two other designers interested in helping redefine Fresh ID as a service/product and create the creative collective of people we need and would like to move forward while we have momentum and fresh ideas. (My site below is my existing company site - the freshid.com project I want to launch with this requires much more infrastructure.)

If Idea Cafe's Grant helps your biz reach greater success, how will you "pay it forward" to help others in some way?
The idea itself, if all goes correctly, will benefit many other people in addition to myself. From work- at-home mom's with some graphic ability, to already successful freelancers will have a source of work and a community to belong to, and I believe there is strength in numbers, not to mention an emotional satisfaction that comes from being part of something bigger. People working from home and isolated can participate as much as they want to, and we hope to have coverage in every state so that people who buy branding & hire Fresh ID for services can meet with them in person and not just virtually. It's a large concept, but one that has much potential to benefit many people!

Comments

Congratulations to all of the

Congratulations to all of the finalists!

I would really like to thank

I would really like to thank you for selecting my business idea as a finalist in this grant opportunity. I am so flattered to have been considered for this position! Having read through the other businesses as well I am even more flattered to be classified with all these other wonderful ideas. Best of luck to everybody!

I am thrilled to be

I am thrilled to be considered among such fabulous businesses! Everyone is deserving and I hope all the businesses the best success!

While the grant award would truly launch my business, just getting the visibility is tremendous . I am very honored to be selected. Thank you!

Amy Goldenburg, PHR
Founder, I Go Coo
http://blog.igocoo.com
www.igocoo.com

I am delighted and honored to

I am delighted and honored to be considered as a finalist. All of the businesses selected are wonderful and I wish everyone the best of luck.

We are truly blessed to be catagorized with such great business ideas.

Christine Gutterman
Founder/Trainer, PALS with Pawz
www.PALSwithPawz.org
www.READINGPawz.org

I would like to congratulate

I would like to congratulate all of the finalists. Your ideas and perseverance are obviously commendable.

Good luck through the next course of voting.

As my business was not selected, I humbly bow out; And wish those who were not selected as well, a heartfelt hug and wish for future success with their endeavors. Keep moving forward!

May your holidays be blessed.

Laura

www.greenerplanetdesign.com

Although I am disappointed

Although I am disappointed that I am not among the finalists, I wish them all the best of luck. There are some excellent ideas being promoted there.

Audrey Henderson
Knowledge Empowerment
www.knowledge-empowerment.net

Opulent Furniture and Design

Opulent Furniture and Design

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