My Journey in the Metro East Startup Grant Competition

I recently participated in the Metro East startup grant competition organized by the Small Business Development Center at Southern Illinois University. When I first learned about it, applying felt like a no-brainer since one of my goals this year was to secure a grant. The application process involved answering a series of questions and crafting an engaging executive summary to showcase my business. I chuckled at the challenge of making balloon décor sound exciting and romantic, but to my surprise, I made it through! However, just two days before my official submission, I encountered a significant hurdle: I hadn’t reinstated my LLC with the state. What should have cost $200 ended up being $650 because I needed it expedited to qualify. After submitting the necessary paperwork, my application was denied because I had labeled myself as "CEO" instead of "owner." At that moment, I thought, "Devil, get off me!" I resubmitted everything and received approval just seven hours before the deadline.

Following that, I attended a networking event, two pitch prep classes, a mock pitch, and the final pitch where winners were announced shortly after. With over 20 contestants—more women than men—we had to develop a business plan and financial projections for the next three years. I quickly realized I was in over my head; there’s limited market research on balloon décor since it’s such a niche area. I struggled with various aspects of my business, and the financial projections were especially daunting. The pressure of preparing a comprehensive business plan and financial projections was weighing heavily on me, and I began to question whether I was truly cut out for this. I felt like giving up. I even told Matthew, my SBDC advisor, that I didn’t think I was cut out for this, but he laughed and continued encouraging me, which motivated me to keep going.

Instead of succumbing to the pressure, I chose to lean into the discomfort. I wouldn’t have come this far without the love and support of my family and friends, but I want to give a special shout-out to the ladies of Toast and Table and the men of Earth Candy. Both businesses are previous winners of this same grant and generously offered their time and feedback throughout the competition. The camaraderie among the competitors was truly remarkable. We supported each other, shared laughs, and formed bonds that transcended the competition. I remember cheering for those who stumbled during their pitches and celebrating those who finished strong. If you’ve seen "Shark Tank," you know the level of pressure we faced, and it takes a lot of courage to sell yourself in that environment. I felt proud of everyone involved.

This entire journey has been enlightening. I've realized I'm stronger and more resilient than I thought. I chose to embrace faith instead of fear and ventured outside my comfort zone, despite the challenges. I wisely reached out to past winners and utilized ChatGPT, which proved to be invaluable. I came to understand that I couldn't do this alone, and with their support, I accomplished something meaningful. I took a moment to reflect on my initial purpose: to share my passion for balloon décor and my vision for my business. Reconnecting with that purpose reignited my motivation. I accepted that feeling scared was natural; what truly mattered was my response to that fear. While I may not have been among the top four winners, I still walked away with $1,500 as a woman-owned business. Even if I hadn’t won anything, I gained so much along the way, improved my business's efficiency, and forged invaluable networking connections.

In my view, I’ve gained far more; I’ve learned that courage can rise from uncertainty.