Winslow’s Economic Development Director Una Wirkebau is a proponent of small business and entrepreneurs. This is evident in the efforts she has put forth in her short time she has been with the city and with the latest event she is bringing to the area.
Moonshot is a showcase for business entrepreneurs and those with ideas that will benefit their communities. In April, the event will come to Winslow with pitches invited from entrepreneurs from all over the state but most notably Winslow, Holbrook, and Joseph City.
Wirkebau said, “We are looking for people who have an idea. And we are asking for their ‘elevator’ pitch during Moonshot. Whether the idea was written on a napkin or a conversation with your best friend in college 20 years ago or even something you are already doing that needs to be tweaked a little bit, we want to hear your pitch.”
She explained that the endeavor is similar to the television show Shark Tank. “You’re going to get up in front of judges with a five-to-10-minute pitch and you’re going to passionately tell those judges why your idea is significant and how it will affect the community.”
The judges, according to Wirkebau will include small business owners, investors, and industry experts.
“Not only will there be judges with know-how in this way, but there will also be presentations from people like Alex Magallanes who is a small business coach. He will be providing a one-hour presentation on the business model canvas for those who are interested in creating a business plan.”
She continued, “Just like any contest, it will be judged on many aspects. For instance, what the start up cost is, whether or not there is an existing business plan, these and more will be taken into consideration. That, and the benefit to the community, things like the number of potential jobs your business would create or how your idea would be beneficial in other ways.”
The winner of the local Moonshot event will go on to compete in a statewide competition for a $10,000 cash prize. As Wirkebau mentioned, she has personally witnessed business ideas in other areas become brick and mortar store fronts because of participation in Moonshot.
“There is a mead shop in Flagstaff, that was already sort of in business, they then took part in a Moonshot event and now have a store front in beautiful downtown Flagstaff. They were awarded $3,000 for winning Moonshot, which is nothing when it comes to opening a business, but it was the networking and the workshops they were able to take part in and the people they were able to meet that put them where they wanted to be.”
Networking is the biggest reason for holding this event, said Wirkebau. “The feedback from business owners and the potential for meeting just the right investor is huge. When people come and participate in this, they will be able to see the Moonshot curriculum along with several other presenters that will be giving as much information as they can about all the different steps toward opening or expanding a small business. The thing is you don’t know who you are going to meet. For example, what if you need wheat for making mead and you can meet someone who grows wheat? So many small businesses exist because of partnerships between them.”
Moonshot is open to all ideas and participants and the event is free for those who would like to present to the judges.
Wirkebau said, “In order to keep this free, we are looking for sponsors. We need some large sponsors to help offset the cost of the space we will be using, the speakers, and the reception the evening before.”
Those who are interested in sponsorship can contact Wirkebau at Winslow City Hall at (928) 289-2423.
Moonshot will be held at a time to be determined on Friday and Saturday, April 8 and 9, at La Posada Hotel, located at 303 E. Second St. in Winslow.
Applications for entrepreneurs are available at www.moonshotaz.com.
Wirkebau concluded, “I am hoping we get so many applicants for this. The potential for funding and putting the right people together to expand our small business community is exponential. All ideas are welcomed and there will be more details about who our speakers will be soon.”
Moonshot can also be found on Facebook on the Why Not Winslow page.
