A brown bag discussion, free and open to the public, is from 7-8 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 19, on the third floor of Bluffton town hall, 154 N. Main St. BCE will provide dessert. RSVP to [email protected] or (567) 525-6667.

The Bluffton Center for Entrepreneurs (BCE) is asking three former competitors “Why enter the business plan competition?” at a 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 19, brown bag discussion at Bluffton town hall.

They offer three perspectives:
• creating a business as a second career,
• becoming the second-generation owner of a family business, and
• transitioning from employee in a large corporation to employer and owner of a small business.

Dan Klear was awarded the grand prize in the first BCE business plan competition and is celebrating the 10th anniversary of his company, Superior Energy Solutions.

After retiring from General Motors, Dan began designing and installing alternative energy systems--and saving money for homeowners, farmers and businesses.

Marlena Ballinger is an “Improving 45817 Business” prize winner. The Dough Hook Meat Market is located in downtown Bluffton, where Ballinger’s mother Sharon started the business as a Bluffton Farmers Market vendor.

The Dough Hook now offers full bakery, deli and meat market services, including small batch baked goods and certified Hereford beef.

The top prize winner in the 2015 Emerging Business category, Beth Bish is the first pediatric specialist to open a practice in Bluffton. Bluffton Pediatrics recently purchased, renovated, and moved to an office across the street from Bluffton Elementary School.

The practice has grown to include the services of a second nurse practitioner and immunizations.

2020 competition details
Information about the 2020 Ropp Triplett Business Plan Competition can be found at BlufftonEntrepreneurs.com. A total of $7,500 in business expense reimbursement will be awarded to contestants in two divisions:
•  Emerging Businesses in Allen, Hancock, Hardin, and Putnam counties and,
• Improving 45817 Businesses.

The competition will include a seven-week business plan course taught by Kathy Keller, CBA, and will take place during January-March 2020.

The Bluffton Center for Entrepreneurs (blufftonentrepreneurs.com) is a nonprofit business incubator that provides coaching, networking, and education. It is devoted to supporting startup and new businesses in Bluffton and the four surrounding counties.