Grace awards $10,000 to business plan competition

WINONA LAKE — Grace College Entrepreneurship Specialist Kaley Dawson was awarded $10,000 for her business, Kaley’s Cupcakes Co., in Grace College’s 10th Annual Business Plan Competition, held Jan. 20 .

Dawson, a senior from St. John, plans to use the $10,000 to expand his custom cake, cupcake and sugar cookie business.

“Making custom cakes and cupcakes has been my passion for as long as I can remember,” Dawson said. “I’ve actually owned Kaley’s Cupcakes for over three years and was looking for a way to grow my business.”

The business plan competition turned out to be the perfect next step for Dawson, who had previously purchased a vintage trailer to sell cupcakes at farmers markets, weddings and other events, according to a press release from Grace College. Dawson plans to use the $10,000 to remodel the trailer and buy the equipment needed to start the business.

As Dawson prepared for the competition, she was supported by the local Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) team.

“The SCORE mentors were very helpful throughout the course and presentation,” Dawson said. “The Business Plan Competition guides you through everything that goes into planning a business, including writing a detailed business plan and thinking through all the details to successfully pitch your business idea. company. It is an invaluable learning experience for students.

Dawson’s long-term goal is to open a storefront for Kaley’s Cupcake Co., but in the meantime, Dawson sees the money she won in the business plan competition as a “perfect springboard” to get there. . “I can’t wait to see how Kaley’s Cupcake Co. grows in the future,” Dawson said.

“It has been a joy to see the vision and dedication Kaley has shown in building her business,” said Melissa Chappell, assistant professor of management and acting director of the William P. Gordon Institute for Enterprise Development at Grace College. . “For all of us at business school who have accompanied her on this journey, we are thrilled to see her business dreams come true.”

The Grace College Business Plan Competition was sponsored by Beers Mallers Backs & Salin, Wildman Business Group and Horizon Bank and is one of the many opportunities Grace College offers its students to turn their dreams and goals into reality. , the statement said.

For more information about the School of Business, visit www.grace.edu/academics/undergraduate/academic-schools-departments/school-of-business/.