On Our Way to One Spark 2015!

Well at this late date we can positively identify at least 26 Creators that are both Creators at One spark and also clients of the SBDC. This creates two scenarios. We will be spending extensive time with our current clients while helping ANY Creator who wants some last minute advice. We look at helping our Creators any way we can, but we also know that it is our role to be there after the event to ensure continuity of good ideas. That's right, only the best ideas will move on. Why? Because One Spark is much more than a crowdsourcing event. It is a chance to prove your idea has merit to 260,000 plus people.

But it is also an opportunity to brand your idea as well. We stand ready to take you to the next level. Jacksonville is a great place to start a business. From Co-work Jax to the Jacksonville Chamber and beyond, there are organizations here that want to support your success.

Look for us at One Spark. We will be travelling nomads with a backpack of resources to help you. See you tomorrow!

Amazing Finish to One Spark! Three FSBDC Client Winners! Congratulations!

We had 60 clients in this years One Spark crowd sourcing event. Congratulations to all of them as they made a great deal of progress vetting their idea and branding their concepts in front of 250,000 attendees. 

Congratulations to One Spark client winners Theatre on a Mission, Snyder Memorial Restoration and Aqua Jax for their first place finishes!. We also had checks presented to the St. Augustine Aquarium effort as well as the folks from Catty Shack Ranch!

But the work is just starting, and these winners as well as most of the other clients we assisted during One Spark will start digging in an planning their next steps after One Spark. Our team of experts is excited to be part of this process. We will keep this blog open longer to track the progress of these clients going forward!

The victorious Theatre on a Mission crew!

Snyder Memorial Restoration aka Amplify!

A big Jacksonville win by the Aqua Jax team!

.beta/initiative headed to One Spark. An interview with Client Creator Brad Cantrell- Booth # 20981

We have been talking to Brad Cantrell about his One Spark project known as the .beta/initiative. Check them out at the SunTrust Building #20981:

What is .beta/initiative about?

The project is a collective of some of the brightest young minds in their respective fields from around the world (as well as Jacksonville! .beta/initiative represents the collaborative efforts of a highly networked group of researchers in various disciplines.

What inspired you to take on this project?

As scientists, we've learned that cross-discipline application and extrapolation often yields some of the most promising techniques.

As artists, we see collaboration between the individual and the community as key. We strive to understand further what we've seen first-hand; how key collaboration leads to some of the most powerful insights, to some of the most relevant and interesting creations.

So we're kind of like a really weird, slightly more nerdish version of the Avengers.

Why One Spark?

Well, the beta concept was originally developed in Jacksonville! Participating in and contributing to the healthy growth of the city is an opportunity we wouldn't miss, and One Spark is a perfect event to showcase and gain support for the project.

One Spark Creator Interview: Dana Edmonds, Yes I Did! Booth 20156

We will be interviewing our Creator clients before, during and after One Spark. Up first is Dana Edmonds who is the creator of Yes I Did!. Her concept will be at the Wells Fargo building along with a number of other EdSpark creators. Dana's booth (20156) is not to be missed...

What is Yes I Did!?

Yes I Did! is a philosophy, brand and apparel company. It's mission is to encourage people to share inspiring life stories of accomplishments and overcoming negativity. It encourages individuals to celebrate their overcoming to encourage others. It's about spreading positivity.

What inspired you to take on this initiative?

My inspiration began from a dream I had telling me to speak to people. It is inspired by my present profession as the owner of the Tutoring Club. Yes I Did! is my daily philosophy with my students. It is a taught philosophy of everyday positivity.

Why One Spark?

One Spark offers such a great opportunity for exposure of a variety of ideas and products. It is local and allows me to involve family and friends to keep cost down while getting the Yes I Did! name out in a big way!

What about after One Spark?

After One Spark, we plan on continuing to speak in schools and expand our speaking venue in other areas including our "YES" talks. Since One Spark will be the launch of our clothing line, we will work to refine and add other products to our line and continue focusing on our Yes I Did! action plan.

Was the SBDC helpful?

SBDC has been extremely helpful. It has offered me insight, knowledge and courage to work to fulfill my dream of Yes I Did! It has started me on a strong foundation. I feel it has given me the tools I need to have a successful, thriving business!

Last year's One Spark winner, Rethreaded's Kristin Keen standing with her winnings, along with Dana Edmonds, founder of Yes I Did! Dana is hoping to follow Kristin's footsteps in One Spark 2014! 

How To Win One Spark Workshop Tomorrow: We Are Jazzed!

The vibes are amazing at our office and this 2.0 version of One Spark will be a quantum leap over last year. We live in a world that advances itself so quickly and One Spark is no different. There were a lot of lessons learned by all last year and it will be FAR more competitive in 2014.

On our front,we had a team on site last year and we have a very god perspective going into this year's event. Our e-manual titled "How to Win One Spark" is ready for Creators attending, and the PowerPoint is locked in.  There are so many ways to gain exposure and win dollars! You should be Jacksonville proud because this event is going worldwide. 

Join us Thursday, March 27th as we take you through the best practices learned from our observations last year. Not only will we lay out step by step ideas, but we will have Kristen Keen from Rethreaded on board as a guest to answer any questions you may have. Yes, we have last years winner coming to help you out.

Enough! Register now or walk up!  Register here. or call 620-2476.

Creator Conscious Market Seeks One Spark Volunteers...

Conscious Market - One Spark Creator

Character Counts! in Jacksonville is an established non-profit with meaningful relationships across the business and non-profit worlds. We are nationally supported and locally inspired.

For the past three years we have been researching, testing/validating concepts, creating revenue, establishing alliances and creating a pool of resources that have poised us to launch Conscious Market in Jacksonville.

We want to build a integrated system that collects excess food from small business and makes it available to start-up social enterprises to fuel those businesses.

Are you interested in helping Character Counts in Jacksonville create and launch our expanded social enterprise Conscious Market? They are looking for dedicated and passionate creative spirits to come together to bring their ideas to the next level. Conscious Market needs socially conscious individuals of all kinds. Designers, carpenters, cooks, educators, accountants and more! Just to start with.

To learn more about what they are creating check the Conscious Market ONE SPARK Page

Sign up on Volunteerspot: http://www.volunteerspot.com/group/646577668081

The Booth Truth - 7 Tips for One Spark Booths

Scrambling for what to do with your One Spark booth?  We've got some suggestions for stellar booths, and would love to hear your ideas too.

1. Interactive is King

Remember going to the zoo as a kid?  The best part of the trip was always feeding and petting the animals.  Your parents had to pull you away kicking and screaming to get ice cream afterwards.  All these years later, little has changed.  If you want to form a line to view your creation, this is a sure fire way to get that attention.

2. Eye Level

After walking around all day looking at projects, the last display anyone wants to see is one at waist level.  Just thinking about bending down to view your creation can cause terror in the backs of the masses.  You get a pass on this requirement if your target audience is kids.

3. Show Your Number

Let's face it, as a people our patience level is growing thin.  If I have to wait on a website to load for 5 seconds one more time I think I'm going to lose it!  And if I can't find your number easily, you're not getting my vote.

4. Have a Prize for Your Voters

Who doesn't like to win?  Reward your voters with a little something to show your appreciation.  Think flashy company stickers, a raffle, or candy.

5. Bring Back Up

Tired after a full day of shopping or working on your feet?  Try 5 days for around 12 hours each day.  One Spark can feel like running a marathon on your legs at times.  Plan to have some friends and family entertain booth visitors at key times during the week so you can give your feet a rest.  Take some of this time to visit other creators, see pitches and speeches, and even grab a nap.

6. Don't Get Stuck

You just met the visitor of your dreams!  They've got the money, connections, experience, and _____ (add your greatest need here) to take your dream to the next level.  The only problem is that you've been talking with this person for 45 minutes while ignoring everyone else.  Come prepared for this situation with business cards and an email list for people to join on the spot.  Let these VIPs know that you will definitely be in touch.  And if you have others helping you with your booth, you should take the conversation off to the side to avoid distractions.

7. Invite Your Target Audience

Don't expect the people you want to meet to accidentally stumble upon your booth.  With over 500 creators at this year's One Spark, you don't want to be just another face in the crowd.  Find out who you would like to visit your booth before the festivities begin, and send those people an email or tweet with an personal invitation to your creation.  This is your weekend, flex your networking muscles to make the most of it.