Innovation takes perspiration–Startup Alleghenies helps share the load

 In Alleghenies Marketplace, Bedford County, Blair County, Cambria County, Fulton County, Huntingdon County, Somerset County
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More than a century ago, Thomas Edison thought deeply about what drives success in innovation. His quote, “Genius is one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration,” sums up the drive toward breakthrough — hours and days and months of hard work mixed with moments of magic. By itself, the prospect seems daunting. Coming up with a great business idea is that magical one percent of genius, but then comes the 99 percent of refining the business plan, choosing the appropriate legal business structure, finding a location, hiring employees… and hoping profits quickly outweigh costs.

What if there was help with the 99 percent of perspiration? Not just hard-to-navigate loans found on the internet but business experts from our own hometowns who come alongside new businesses with coaching and mentorship, and providing connections to powerful resources and networking. The impact would be — and is — transformative.

Startup Alleghenies was founded on the simple premise of connecting local entrepreneurs (with their one percent of inspiration) to all of the funding, training, and coaching that is available in the Alleghenies region, for free. Just this past year, its five coaches provided one-on-one business counseling to 1,265 aspiring entrepreneurs and emerging small businesses for a total of 1,800 free counseling hours. In addition to direct support, they also connected entrepreneurs with other relevant and helpful resources across the region.

Coaching and mentorship

When Sabrina Beal and Justin Aust had the idea to start On Point Adventure Foods, high-quality freeze-dried meals made for adventure, they connected with Somerset County Coach Matt Reckner to help propel their idea into a full-fledged business.

“Everyone at Startup Alleghenies sees the potential in our area and community,” Aust said. “They’ve provided positive encouragement and ideas for growing our business, from marketing to online sales. We look forward to growing our business and continuing our relationship with Matt and the team at Startup Alleghenies.”

Each county in the Southern Alleghenies region — Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon, and Somerset — has its own coach who is deeply invested in local business and individual success.

“Bedford County Coach Jen Marsh is super passionate and excels at what she does. She has helped shine the spotlight on small businesses in a big way,” Bedford entrepreneur Haley Feaster shared.

Powerful resources

Startup Alleghenies connects a community of powerful resources so that entrepreneurs find the tools they need to launch quickly or grow well.

Here are some of the resources in the Alleghenies that can help your business plan, operate, and grow:

Plan

Operate

Grow

Networking connections

Jose Luis Otero is an innovation coach and portfolio manager for Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central & Northern PA. He says that the business resources in the Alleghenies help entrepreneurs launch and grow.

“Entrepreneurs thrive in this region’s exceptional networking opportunities, building connections is key for achieving success,” Otero said. “Networking increases visibility. It helps founders find partnerships and connections. It’s not just about what you can get out of it, but also how you can contribute to the growth of the network.”

“Founders don’t have to go it alone—with a solid network, you are rubbing shoulders with like-minded people who can support you, encourage your growth and impact your bottom line,” he said.

Margaret Brabham and Yasmeen Hasan agree. The co-owners of Spice Sisters, a globally inspired craft condiments company moved their company to Johnstown where they operate out of the Greater Johnstown Career & Technology Center’s “Field-to-Fork” Agricultural Incubator.

The pair initially connected with Blair County coach Matt Fox. Fox teamed up with Cambria County’s coach Blake Fleegle who pointed them to resources at Johnstown Area Regional Industries (JARI), and also connected them with Ben Franklin’s Jose Otero. “Otero has tremendous experience in the fields of entrepreneurship, manufacturing and business development,” said Brabham. Greater Johnstown Career and Technical Center kitchen manager Cheryl Fisher also helped to provide a wealth of information and support with many contacts in the food industry. “Everything is so convenient now–we cook in the kitchen and warehouse our products at the JARI Center, only about two miles away,” said Brabham.

“This move allowed us to develop a better quality of life,” she added, mentioning art galleries, theater, even a symphony in close proximity, as well as the beauty of the Alleghenies. “Everything moves better here; there’s plenty of room to breathe and create.”

Let us crowdsource your 99 percent

Did you that Forbes Advisor recently ranked Pennsylvania #7 in the list of top states to start a new business, based on key metrics in business costs, business climate, economy, workforce, and financial accessibility? It noted that Pennsylvania had a diverse economy, a highly skilled workforce, and a low cost of living.

In fact, in one key area, PA ranked #1: financial accessibility, citing total amount of business funding available in 2021.

Here in the Alleghenies, these statistics are compounded by the free one-on-one coaching, resources, and networking that are thriving in the region. What dream can Startup Alleghenies help you turn into a reality? Start here. 

Startup Alleghenies helps startup and emerging small businesses succeed by providing free coaching to entrepreneurs in Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset counties. To access personal, one-on-one support from a coach in your county, including guidance, resources, tools and networking opportunities, sign up at startupalleghenies.com.

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