video by Lindsey Jo Martin
Aspiring business owners gathered at the Capital Event Center in Jefferson City, April 28, to be inspired. Start Up Jeff City is a 4-part motivational series, created to energize the community by establishing new and innovative businesses. Potential business owners sat together and listened to a variety of local business owners tell their stories about opening the doors to their own businesses. Colleen Taylor owner of Midwest Travel spoke at the event in April. She emphasized the importance of keeping up with the changing times, but most importantly “you have to love what you do,” she said. Tanea Graves, owner of G2 Gallery, was among the guest speakers. Her motivation for opening up shop was her disbelief in working up the ladder. “It’s silly,” she said. “I like to do things my way.” Although working for someone else was not what Graves envisioned for herself she stressed that, “an idea doesn’t make a business, people do.” Michael Baxa, owner of the UPS Store in Jefferson City, found motivation in things others weren’t doing. “Do something everyday that someone else won’t, so tomorrow you can achieve something they can’t,” Baxa said. With that motto, Baxa strives to better his community and he encourages others to do the same.Potential business owners are encouraged to form teams to create new businesses throughout Jefferson City. The group will meet for the third time on Saturday, August 18, 2012 at the Capital Event Center to practice pitching their ideas to investors. To register for Start Up Jeff City fill out the entry form below.
