Four women-owned businesses earn honors
GREENSBURG – Four women-owned businesses from Southwestern Pennsylvania hold the distinction of being the first winners of WriteIdea, a business plan competition for women. Seton Hill University’s National Education Center for Women in Business announced the winners recently during Women & Co., a series of networking events for women, at the Christian W. Klay Winery in Chalk Hill.
The center administered WriteIdea on behalf of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and the Appalachian Regional
Commission (ARC) in an effort to accelerate the business start-up process of women entrepreneurs in the Southwest Region of Pennsylvania.
The Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation provided matching funds for the project as part of their commitment to expanding ATHENAPowerlink, a successful mentorship program that encourages economic growth by promoting and supporting women owned businesses through the use of advisory panels, into Southwestern Pennsylvania.
The four winners, one business from Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties, will equally split a $25,000 cash prize to help ensure their success and continued operation in this geographic region.
A panel of judges comprised of members from the academic community, local economic development agencies and business owners representing the four counties selected the winning plans based on growth potential, innovation, management plan, job potential and overall viability.
The winners and their counties are:
Fayette County: Frontline Solutions, LLC (Barbara M. Girod, Nancy A. Deckant and Virginia Flavin Pribanic). “A company dedicated to providing reliable and high quality healthcare products designed by nurses to facilitate the proper care and comfort of patients. Frontline’s goal is to invent and distribute products that assist healthcare providers in fulfilling their daily work,” according to the judges.
Greene County: Braden Run Animal Hospital (Anita L. McMillen, V.M.D). “The practice provides medical, surgical and emergency care to all types of animals in Waynesburg and surrounding areas. Braden Run Animal Hospital is currently expanding its practice through the construction of a permanent animal hospital.”
Washington County: Novel Geo-Environmental, LLC (Amy L. Veltri, P.E., DEE). “A consulting firm specializing in environmental and geotechnical engineering services. Novel Geo-Environmental will initially pursue environmental and geotechnical contracts for industrial clients and federally funded Department of Transportation projects.”
Westmoreland County: New Stanton Veterinary Service (Kathleen Revelt-Hindman, D.V.M.). “A start-up veterinary practice that provides medical and surgical services for avian and companion pets. The practice specializes in offering experienced and knowledgeable care for birds, reptiles and exotic pocket pets.”
“During the six months the competition ran, we heard from many women who felt this competition gave them an opportunity to take an idea or dream and turn that passion into a sustainable business,” said Barbara K. Mistick, director, Seton Hill University’s National Education Center for Women in Business. “The range of business plans proves that women are a powerful force in all aspects of today’s economy.”
The WriteIdea business plan competition was unveiled in March during the center’s annual small business conference in Pittsburgh. A number of resource partners, including the Local Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) located at St. Vincent College and the University of Pittsburgh Outreach Offices in Washington and Greene Counties worked with the center to reach potential applicants and ensure the initiative’s success.
Open to start-up businesses or businesses in operation for less than one year in Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties, the competition required applicants to follow a business plan template developed by The Commonwealth’s Center for Entrepreneurial Assistance that was accessible online at www.e-magnify.com.
Rules stipulated that each business must be at least 51 percent woman-owned with a maximum sales volume of $100,000. On Sept. 18, the judging panel invited eight finalists, narrowed down from a field of 22, to make a presentation in support of their business plan and interview with the panel at Seton Hill University.