Small Business bootcamp propels 10 entrepreneurs – Miami Today
A community-wide program, StartUP FIU, works not only to help university students but also to develop community entrepreneurs.
StartUP FIU partnered with Bank of America and the Underline to hold a Small Business Bootcamp to help train early entrepreneurs and their businesses. Of 40 competitors, a panel of judges chose 10 winners based on the small businesses’ pitch. They won a $2,000 stipend and opportunity to set up a booth at the Underline for the last two weekends in December to show and sell their products.
The winners have businesses that range from bikes for disabled children to healthy pre-made meal delivery. A common theme was the Small Business Bootcamp’s help in making their business pitches stronger and more specific.
“The classes I took helped me focus my pitch and get my business plans together,” said Shelly Patterson, director of marketing for Buddy Bike. “The business began in California, where Bob Gardner was welding two bikes together to safely ride with his autistic son.”
While the warehouse is in California, Ms. Patterson manages all the business aspects, including product development and customer service, based in North Miami Beach.
“I have bikes for every age, body, size and abilities. I also offer rentals because bikes are expensive and often need a test drive,” she said.
Bike shops do not usually stock tandem bikes because they take up a lot of space, according to Ms. Patterson. “I did fine with bike rentals during covid,” she said. “It was the supply chain crash that is causing so much trouble.”
Getting parts to build the bikes has been difficult, as pieces that were $2,000 to ship are now $20,000.
“I can outlast the wait,” Ms. Patterson said. “I’m trying to build bikes with my own hands now. But the worry is, what if I can’t get the last few parts? Every source, pedal and brake is on me.”
This year, Ms. Patterson started a trade where she is buying back Buddy Bikes. “I can’t offer customers a lot because shipping and packing costs a lot. The families understand that it’s not just money, but also so other families with disabilities can enjoy the bikes.”
She offers 20% of the original price, and says “I have a waiting list.”
Ivo D’Aguiar used covid to start his small business he had been planning for five years.
“I am a chef with over 15 years of experience,” said Mr. D’Aguiar. “We were always struggling with food because I was working so much during the days. When I got home and I was asked to cook, I was exhausted. We were struggling with food and planning.”
“With covid, we had to close business and I didn’t have much to do. I had the opportunity to put a plan that I’d had for five years into action,” said Mr. D’Aguiar. “People working from home were trying to learn to cook. We wanted to help with time also. Don’t waste precious time learning to cook, we believe we are going to help.”
The business delivers pre-planned meals that consumers order online. “We’re delivering vacuum sealed, fresh foods,” he said. “It’s local ingredients and has no preservatives. The bag just has to be placed in the microwave or boiling water. Even the packaging is organic, made from sugarcane from Brazil.”
“Bootcamp was a great opportunity to learn things that we can put into action on a daily basis,” he said, “and an opportunity to meet other small business entrepreneurs.”
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