2020 REV winners: where are they now?
October 13, 2021 | TS Bank
Hear from some of our 2020 REV winners below and see where they are now. Plus, be sure to catch all the action next week at the 2021 REV Business Expo event featuring Bill Eckstrom, an international TEDx speaker, on Tuesday, October 19 from 5-7 p.m. His talk "Why comfort will ruin your life" will focus on personal and professional development ideas and serve as the keynote at the REV Business Expo. Tickets are still available at www.tsbank.com/revexpo
Full Fledged Brewery Company was the top winner of $5,000, followed by Tandem Works with $2,500 and Farmhouse and Flowers with $1,250 and P@YD Omaha with $1,250.
Full Fledged Brewery Company
What was the REV experience like?
It was really exciting and nerve wracking all at the same time.
How did this funding help your business specifically?
We used the funds to purchase packaging material for 6-packs to help expand our products into canned packaging. Ultimately, the funds helped us inch closer to purchasing a canning line to grow our packing material and expand into new markets.
What are some new things that are happening in your business now?
We continue to work at getting our product into new establishments so we keep expanding our market. Without the REV grant we wouldn’t be nearly as far along as we are now.
How has this last year effected your business and how can others help?
We’ve continued to grow with the help of our amazing customers and the local community. Others can help Full Fledged grow by asking for a Full Fledged craft beer at any bar, restaurant or grocery store you go into in the Omaha/Council Bluffs metropolitan area.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Utilize all the resources you have when preparing for the REV pitch. There is a plethora of people who you can lean on to help guide you through the process. Make sure to be prepared and on your “A Game” on the day of the pitch!
Farmhouse & Flowers
What was the REV experience like?
The process of applying for and receiving the funds was fun and exciting. We loved the chance to dream about the future of our business and form partnership with TS Bank and the sponsors to get there.
How did this funding help your business specifically?
We were able to increase our inventory and expand into new lines for our gift shop. The floral side of our business was our base and this funding allowed us to diversify and strengthen another revenue stream. This has allowed us the opportunity to start considering bringing on a part time employee. Our goal is to hire this fall for the position.
What are some new things that are happening in your business now?
This year we have been selected as the exclusive flower shop to furnish floral arrangements for the Cass Health Gift Shop. We have also been selected by two local funeral homes to be available on their websites for sending plants and flowers for their services. By the end of the month, we will offer balloons! We hope to not only provide single arrangements, but also venture into arches and photo backdrops.
In October, we are partnering with an area retailer who has a mobile store for some cross promotion. The Gypsie Charm Boutique will be coming to Atlantic for a daylong joint promotion Fall Open House. We feel supporting another Southwest Iowa small business owner and bringing them to our community for the day, helps both our businesses while giving the locals another way to support small business without having to travel.
We are also in discussions about adding more partnerships with a local soap maker, baby items maker and candle maker. We have explored new vendors and are constantly trying to increase our inventory to fit our brand.
How has this last year effected your business and how can others help?
Being our first year, we don’t have much to compare it to, but we feel so blessed to see month over month growth from last year. We have had so much positive from the community as far as support goes and we love to see new faces in the shop as well. We get regular online orders from afar and are pleased to send local deliveries for those who don’t live in Atlantic.
Anything else you’d like to share?
We are so grateful for the support of TS Bank and the continued business and support they offer. We have nothing but positive things to share about how they have helped us get off the ground and “bloom” right here in the greater Atlantic area!
Tandem Works
Tandem Works used their $2,500 in funds to build an on-demand, online course for business owners to help them identify their brand story and create more powerful brand messaging. Since this time their business has been booming and gaining lots of traction with others in the local community!
Tandem Works prides themselves on having creatives, with just the right mix of quirk and right brain thinking; makers of photo, video, and copy that’s driven by imagination and crazy ideas; and innovative planners with a passion for a clear strategy, organization, and ROI. Strategy and content creation are a powerful duo working together in tandem.
P@YD Omaha
P@YD Omaha focuses on connecting local producers to their communities’ restaurants and homes. Their $1,250 in REV funds were put toward front end web development and app development. If you are looking to shop form the comfort of your own home, be sure to check out P@YD Omaha and they will source fresh, local in season good to fulfill your order. Produce at your door – what could be better.
At TS Bank, we IGNITE PROSPERITY® by helping our clients do more with their money. Whether it’s saving a little extra cash each month or accomplishing a long-term strategy, our goal is to help you transform your financial life. Call and schedule an appointment today, one of our team members would love to help you do more with your money at TS Bank. TS Bank has eight locations in central and southwest Iowa. For more information, visit tsbank.com or call 844-487-3030. #igniteprosperity