Grace College Awards $10K At Business Plan Competition
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Grace College senior entrepreneurship major Kaley Dawson has received $10,000 for winning the college’s 10th annual business plan competition. She won for her custom cake, cupcake and sugar cookie business, Kaley’s Cupcakes Co. Photo provided.
News Release
WINONA LAKE — Grace College has awarded $10,000 to the winner of its 10th annual business plan competition.
Grace College entrepreneurship major Kaley Dawson took top prize at the competition on Thursday, Jan. 20, for her business, Kaley’s Cupcakes Co.
Dawson, a senior from St. John, plans to use the money to expand her custom cake, cupcake and sugar cookie business. She wants to remodel a vintage camper trailer to sell cupcakes out of at farmers markets, weddings and other events and purchase the equipment necessary to launch the business.
“Making custom cakes and cupcakes has been my passion for as long as I can remember,” said Dawson. “I’ve actually owned Kaley’s Cupcakes for over three years, and I was looking for a way to grow my business.”
Dawson’s long-term goal is to open a storefront for Kaley’s Cupcake Co., but in the meantime, Dawson sees the money that she won in the business plan competition as a “perfect stepping stone” to get there.
“I can’t wait to see how Kaley’s Cupcake Co. grows in the future,” she said.
As Dawson prepared for the competition, she was supported by the local Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) Team.
“The SCORE mentors were so helpful throughout the entire class and presentation,” said Dawson. “The business plan competition walks you through everything that goes into planning a business, including writing a detailed business plan and thinking of all of the details to successfully present your business idea. It is an invaluable learning experience for students.”
“It has been a joy to see the vision and dedication that Kaley has shown in developing her business,” said Melissa Chappell, assistant professor of management and interim director of the William P. Gordon Institute for Enterprise Development at Grace College. “For all of us in the school of business who have walked alongside her in this journey, we are thrilled to see her business dreams come true.”
For more information about Grace’s School of Business, click here.