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!

One Spark Client Interview: Dragonboats/In the Pink

What is you idea?

Our idea is In the Pink...a one-stop shop for women with all types of cancer.  As a non-profit, we are always searching for creative ways to generate funding.  We brought dragon boating to Jacksonville as another healthy activity to get cancer patients engaged after treatment.  It was so well received that we opened up paddling to all people.  We now have several teams that paddle all year long.  We hosted Jacksonville's first dragon boat festival in September 2013.  In the Pink hosts several dragon boat teams. This sport is for everyone, regardless of age of athleticism. For more information, contact Marty at 536-3475 or email: millardm@comcast.net. We have one team for breast cancer survivors only called the Mammoglams. The funds raised at the festival stay at In the Pink, helping men, women and children in the Jacksonville area.

 

Why One Spark?

We decided to participate in One Spark to expose people to In the Pink and the dragon boat festival.  We hope to generate funding to assist US in expanding our services for cancer patients.

 How has the event been for you?

One Spark has been great.  We have met many people who were unaware of In the Pink yet know people who are in need of our services.  We have also found a lot of people who are interested in being involved in the dragon boat festival on September 27, 2014!

 
What's next?

After One Spark, we will continue to pursue funding to allow us to continue our services at In the Pink.  www.jaxinthepink.net
 

One Spark Client Interview: Old Maid Cat Lady #20158

Old Maid Cat Lady has been a long time client at the FSBDC. The owner Lynn Thompson, has an amazing website and seeks to take her line of offerings to the next level via One Spark. We caught up to her at the Landing.

Describe your creator idea.

My project is way beyond the idea phase; I've been operating this online department store for cats and cat lovers for the past four years! It goes beyond a normal e-commerce site in that it's also a resource for cat owners. Cats are often misunderstood, so I try to help people understand feline needs and how to provide for them so they can live more harmoniously together. The project I'm presenting for One Spark is to get funding for expansion of my team by two people: one to help with operations work, and the other to focus solely on SEO. That should free me up to do more marketing and outreach.

Why one spark?

I knew last year that I needed to do a project for One Spark, but was not sure exactly how to make it apply to my business. The impact of this event, and its potential to raise awareness of OldMaidCatLady.com were just too much to resist. So I attended last year to get ideas, read through the material about how to become a Creator, and figured out a way to present a project that would fit within their parameters and still give me something I needed.

How is One Spark going so far?

Traffic was slow the first few days where I'm located, which is a bit out of the main traffic flow. But the crowds picked up a lot on Day 4. Lots more people stopped by and not only voted for me, but took one of my brochures and said they'd be checking out my site. So it should lead to increased sales for me.

What is next after One Spark?

I spoke with a guy who said they're holding an event soon to match up Creators with investors, and I'll look into that. The leader of my peer-to-peer mentoring group also told me she wants to put me in touch with some venture capitalists she knows who may be a good fit. I have taken this retail site as far as I can by myself, so my team definitely needs to expand, and it's not even making enough now to pay my bills, so an injection of capital is definitely needed. Until that comes, I'll continue doing as much as I can alone, continually tweaking and improving the site, processing and following up on orders.

Location: The Landing, 2nd floor #20158

Lynn Maria Thompson
Author - Speaker - Editor
President, Thompson Writing & Editing, Inc.

Proprietor, OldMaidCatLady.com

Neptune Beach, Florida
www.thompsonwriting.com

www.oldmaidcatlady.com

Phone (904) 242-0054
Cell (904) 955-2367
Fax (904) 458-8021
E-mail lynn@thompsonwriting.com

Follow me on Twitter @gatorlynn and @OldMaidCatLady

One Spark Client Interview: USS Charles F. Adams #20372

Executive Director Joe Snowberger anf FSBDC staffer Paul Arrington outside their facility.

Joe Snowberger was out in the hallway at the Landing telling everyone about the need to bring the USS Charles F. Adams downtown. His nonprofit is leading the way...

Tell us about your idea...

 

Our idea is to establish Florida's Naval Warship Museum aboard the USS Charles F. Adams (DDG-2) as Jacksonville's newest attraction.  Located on the beautiful and historic St Johns River, Downtown Jacksonville's USS ADAMS MUSEUM will be an entertainment centerpiece for area residents and visitors from around the globe. While honoring vets and sharing the story of the sea services, the USS ADAMS MUSEUM will be a center of education and vocational stimulation for kids focusing on the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics plus History (STEM+H) disciplines. 

 

The USS ADAMS MUSEUM will provide 30 full time jobs, over 20 part-time jobs and 75 in-direct jobs with an annual economic impact of over $4M while stimulating other Downtown economic activities. 

 

Why did you decide to do One Spark?

 

Easiest decision ever...hundreds of thousands of people at the world's only crowd funding festival? Duh! 

 

How has One Spark been for you so far?

 

Wonderful! ONE SPARK has exposed our "Gift to Jacksonville" to many new people and engaged our whole team. We have made very significant new connections, signed up many new members and new volunteers.  

 

What is next for you after One Spark? 

 

Take advantage of the wave of momentum we have from ONE SPARK and launch a multi-tiered fund raising campaign..."BRING HOME THE ADAMS! 

Location: The Landing #20372

One Spark Client Interview: Grease for Fuel #20146

Creator Charles Payne with FSBDC staff Marge Cirillo and Paul Arrington

Yup, there was Charles Payne out on the Riverwalk by the Landing talking up his creator idea, Grease for Fuel. Here is what he had to say:

Tell us about your idea…
Grease for Fuel helps save the environment, household pipes and the nation’s nations sewers, soil, water systems and landfills by providing a convenient, residence-based way to collect used cooking greases and recycle them into renewable fuel and other products.

Why did not decide to do One Spark?
I wanted the project to be shown to be a valid and viable.

How has One Spark been for you so far?
Good.  My One Spark experience has allowed me to present the project and generate interest.

What is next for you after One Spark?
Follow up with the contacts I’ve made!

Location: Riverwalk # 20146

One Spark Client Interview: ThinkSpace #20592

Jackie Perry has a sweet looking booth at the Library.  They are seeing a ton of people at One Spark:

Tell Us About Your Idea

ThinkSpace is the only full service "pre-incubation" program that supports individuals who want to move their idea from concept to marketplace. We collaborate with you, then bring in additional resource partners and professionals to help cultivate your idea into a real business opportunity.

ThinkSpace Why did you decide to do One Spark

Because it was the perfect venue for presenting our expanded program within an existing successful program of business incubation. We Also were excited about the growth potential and exposure we might gain from One Spark.

How has One Spark been for you so far

Great! It has put in us front of a lot of people we would have never met. We've also been able to gauge the level of interest people have in being able to have a "One Spark" 7 days a week.

What is next for you after One Spark

We'll take the lessons learned, the valuable feedback and the marketing contacts for followup and to see how we can be a benefit after One Spark.

Location: Main Library (under the stairs) # 20592

One Spark Client Interview: Theatre On a Mission

We found Chelsey Cain and her crew working the One Spark crowd in the middle of the street. Great mission and a great location! Theatre On a Mission ( a nonprofit), has been getting a lot of votes so far at One Spark. #20124.

Tell us about your idea Chelsey.

Theatre On a Mission is a student-driven service project. It began with my

dream to meet and inspire a young orphan I sponsor in Kenya. I want to bring the joy of theatre to children whom may never get the opportunity to experience it. So I asked a few of my friends to help me take a theatre camp to the orphanage in Kenya.

Their first trip was an amazing success. The team conducted a week-long theatre camp and incorporated the children at the Foundation Stone Ministry Orphanage into a play that helped raise enough money from the surrounding Bondo community to get running water to the orphanage. The group traveled to two additional village schools, teaching those students theatre games and more. Over those two days at the schools, the sessions included over 1200 students!

Students from UNF, UF, FSCJ, Douglas Anderson, and Sandalwood High Schools have come together to make this dream come true. In July of 2014 another team of students will be making a second journey to Africa to bring theatre to the children living in the Foundation Stone Ministry Orphanage.

Why one spark? How is One Spark going so far?

One Spark seems like the perfect opportunity to let people within the Jacksonville community learn about our project and to excite those who already support us. It has been a huge challenge so far, but we believe we are growing as a team and have to strength and the confidence to over come any challenge that comes our way. As of yesterdays votes we were in the top three movers in our category.

What is next for Theatre On a Mission after One Spark?

Continuing raising money for the trip. We have a Theatre on a Mission Benefit show coming up on May 4^th at Theatre Jacksonville in San Marco.

For more information: 904-449-6019.

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.

Hemming Plaza Transformed for One Spark!

Great pictures of Hemming Plaza being transformed into a very different place. Perfect for  serving as the the epicenter of One Spark. Check out the article by the venerable Metro Jacksonville!
Here is the T-U article as well...

One Spark App. and Voter Registration Now Available!

Yes, we recommend you do this now. You have to have the app to vote! If you are a creator, get the word out to anyone you know who may come to the event. Download it yourself and then share it!

Here is the One Spark App. You must download this on your phone to vote...https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/one-spark/id630800549?ls=1&mt=8

ALSO...

Here is how you register as a voter. Remember, you have three steps to take to vote this year:
1. Download the One Spark App.
2. Register on the One Spark site as a voter.
3. Check in at a voting site when you get to One Spark. YOU WILL HAVE TO SHOW I.D.

If you are a Creator you see how important it is to reach your audience and communicate this. Our workshop at UNF on March 27th will cover all of this!

You can send people to this blog as it will have up to date information and tips to help you and your audience: www.onesparkviafsbdc.blogspot.com

How to Register to Vote & Contribute

You must be registered and checked in at the festival before you can vote or contribute. Even if you registered and voted in 2013, you must still check-in at the festival in order to vote and contribute.
REGISTER: Set up your account at any time online at beonespark.com/participate-voter, or in-person during the festival at a Voting & Information Kiosk (valid photo ID required).

CHECK IN: From April 9, at 11 AM EST through April 13, at 3 PM EST, check in within event boundaries to validate your account. Use your smartphone (One Spark App or Mobile Site) or check in at a Voting & Information Kiosk.

Once you’ve registered and checked in at the festival, you can vote or contribute 4 different ways.

Smartphone (Vote and Contribute)

1. Download the One Spark App or access via your mobile browser at beonespark.com. Sign into your registered account.
2. Search for Creators by entry number, Creator name, Project name or Venue location.
3. Click the “Vote for Project” button.
4. Click the “Contribute” button and enter your contribution amount.

Text Message (Vote Only)

1. Ensure that you have registered for a One Spark account and checked-in first. You can visit a voting kiosk to register and check-in if you do not have a smartphone or access to a computer.
2. Locate a Creator’s Entry Number in a One Spark 2014 Event Guide or at the Creator’s display.
3. Text the Creator’s Entry Number to +1 904-647-2955. Text messaging fees may apply.

Voting & Information Kiosk

1. Visit one of our 11 Voting & Information Kiosks.
2. Present a valid photo ID* to kiosk volunteers to register for an account and confirm your identity.
3. Use a kiosk computer to sign in to your account.
4. Search for Creators by Entry Number, Creator Name, Project Name or by Venue.
5. Click the “Vote for Project” button or click the “Contribute” button and enter/submit your contribution amount.

Web

1. Visit BeOneSpark.com
2. Sign in to your account.
3. Search for Creators by Entry Number, Creator Name, or Venue location.
4. Click the “Vote for Project” button.
5. Click the “Contribute” button and enter your contribution amount.

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.