TCC Launch participant wins $2,500 in local business competition

It has been a long six months for Cathy Fox, a past participant in Tulsa Community College’s Launch program for entrepreneurs, and the six other finalists in the 2011 SpiritBank/Tulsa Community College Entrepreneurial Spirit Award competition. The seven finalists were narrowed down from nearly 100 applicants who applied for the annual competition during four rounds of business coaching, pitches and cuts. Fox’s hard work paid off and her business Enclosables, LLC, a line of fun, high value gifts which fit into postage-paid greeting cards, came in third in this year’s competition. Fox was awarded a check for $2,500 during a celebration ceremony at TCC’s Center for Creativity Nov 15.

Fox completed TCC’s Launch program for entrepreneurs in June and entered the Spirit Awards in hopes of winning prize money to help her business. 

“I knew the coaching would be really beneficial, and my business model needed a lot of refinement. It was the next logical step after graduation from Launch,” said Fox of her experience in this year’s competition. “It is also really exciting to be participating in Tulsa's entrepreneurial ecosystem and be surrounded by people trying to make it happen.”

TCC’s Launch program is enrolling for the next session now through January 13 at www.launchyourejourney.com.

Kristen Ross, founder of PregoFIT, was named grand prize winner and received the $30,000 check from SpiritBank. PregoFIT is a DVD and online video series of customized total-body workouts designed specifically for each month of pregnancy. The company has expanded its website to offer online fitness coaching and products for pregnant and post-partum women.

Twin Foods, Inc. took home the $5,000 second prize. Owner Jan Laub makes products that improve home-cooked recipes. Her first product, Granny’s Good Ol’ Fashion Bacon Drippings, is a high-quality rendered bacon fat which adds a smoky flavor to dishes. 

For more information about the SpiritBank/Tulsa Community College Entrepreneurial Spirit Award visit www.tulsaspiritaward.comor for TCC’s Launch program, visit http://launchyourejourney.com

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