The 10th annual Floyd C4 Business Development Series concluded with an exciting finale on Monday, November 4th. The seven-week series marked a record-breaking year with 32 regular attendees representing 28 businesses, the largest class in the program’s history. Eleven participants delivered their business pitches to a panel of regional judges. Contestants submitted written business plans, which were confidentially evaluated by three judges. During the finale, each entrepreneur had ten minutes to present their business vision, followed by a question-and-answer session with the judges, showcasing their innovation, planning, and commitment to the Floyd County economy.
The business pitches featured an array of innovative and sustainable ventures, including a new certification consultancy for sustainable farming practices, products crafted from recycled materials, a subscription service for frozen prepared foods, and an ecological landscaping company. Additional presentations highlighted a book publishing business, a ceramic mug company, two handcrafted furniture makers, a specialized small business consulting service, an energy-efficient geodesic dome retreat, and a hospitality and event planning consultancy. Each pitch showcased unique approaches to addressing market needs, environmental impact, and community enrichment.
Pictured left to right: Rachel Cash, Andrea Denniston, Emily Tinalli, Calvin Cooper, Megan Ignelzi, Andy Finn
Floyd Mug Company was the top place winner, earning $5,000 to use toward expanding an existing porcelain pottery business. For the past 12 years Andrea Denniston has been making and selling one-of-a-kind handmade porcelain pottery. Floyd Mug Company is a micro batch manufacturer of porcelain to-go cups located on Poor Farm Road in Floyd County. It utilizes a screen-printing process to transfer custom logos and imagery to the surface of the cup. Floyd Mug Company operates out of the studio at Poor Farm Pottery and is run by Andrea Denniston (Andrea Denniston Ceramics) with support from Seth Guzovsky (owner of Poor Farm Pottery). Floyd Mug Company is building the foundation of its business in collaboration with other Floyd businesses and non-profits looking for a locally made cup that features their business logo.
Denniston has years of experience making and selling handmade pottery at craft shows, in galleries and online. She is excited to bring these skills to the new wholesale business. Denniston states: “I began 2024 with the goal of simply completing the C4 business plan and pitch - winning the top prize is certainly a welcome bonus. Participating in C4 provides so many resources to local small businesses that they may not know where to begin looking for support. The deadlines for the plan and pitch competition keep you on track and push you to put all the ideas and numbers on paper to better understand if your business is actually viable. Winning the top prize is allowing Floyd Mug Company to accelerate its startup and have the support and resources to help with marketing and business growth as we navigate our first year and beyond.”
Pictured: Owner: Andrea Denniston
Emily Tinalli’s ecological landscaping company (official name coming soon) took second place and a $4,000 prize. Tinalli’s company will provide ecological gardening services, consultation, and education. They will design, install, and maintain garden spaces using native plants to create beauty and ecological function. She wants to start this business in order to beautify customers’ landscapes, be better stewards of the environment, and inspire others to do the same. Her business is operated from Bethlehem Church Road.
Pictured: Owner-Emily Tinalli and Calvin Cooper
Busy Bee Dinners won third place and a $2,500 prize. Owner Megan Ignellzi will offer locally sourced, homemade frozen meals that are designed to make mealtime simple and enjoyable for busy families, single households, couples, tourists, the elderly and individuals with physical disabilities. Busy Bee Dinners will be available for local pick up, home delivery service and a subscription-based service.
Pictured: Owner – Megan Ignelzi
The new Champion of Entrepreneurship Award was created for Sandy Ratliff who was an extraordinary person who passionately served the small businesses around southwest Virginia through roles with the Commonwealth of Virginia and the non-profit, LOCUS Impact. She passed away a few months ago after a long battle with cancer.
“Sandy began working with me to support small businesses shortly after I started with the County in 2004. We started doing training events in Floyd County by 2006, where she would share her passion for marketing and technology, bring in other state speakers, and would follow up with businesses who wanted more help. She also helped us start the Floyd C4 Business Challenge series in 2015 at the Floyd Innovation Center,” shared Lydeana Martin, Floyd County’s Community and Economic Development Director.
Sandy served faithfully each year as a judge for the business plans and pitches, asking questions and sharing creative ideas with each business. “In this our 10th year, we missed Sandy terribly and thought it only fitting to present a new Champion of Entrepreneurship Award in her honor,” Lydeana said. Sandy understood how incredibly important it is to support the start-up and growth of small businesses. The winner of the Sandy Ratliff Champion of Entrepreneurship award is Event Alchemy owner Rachel Cash, who was recognized for her passion and creativity for her business idea which could also help many other businesses.
Event Alchemy won a $1,000 prize. Cash will use the funds to begin her hospitality and event planning service dedicated to creating curated and thoughtful celebrations. She will bring her clients’ visions, intentions and objectives to each event through consultations and off-site coordination.
Pictured: Owner – Rachel Cash
"We are continually inspired by the talent, passion, and creativity that Floyd County residents bring to the Floyd C4 program. Floyd County is fortunate to have an incredible community of dedicated, innovative, and hard-working entrepreneurs, and it is our privilege to support their growth and success," said Andy Finn, Chairman of the Floyd County Economic Development Authority, which sponsors the program each year. "As we celebrate the tenth annual Floyd C4 Business Development Series, we look forward to seeing these entrepreneurs make a meaningful impact, not only in our community but beyond. We deeply appreciate the Floyd C4 funding provided by the Floyd County Board of Supervisors that makes this program possible.”
The Floyd C4 Business Development Series provides weekly sessions on business startup, marketing, finance, operating a business and how-to-pitch. C4 stands for Curriculum, Creators, Coaches and Challenge. “The Greater Roanoke and NRV Small Business Development Center, along with Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project (SERCAP) are wonderful partners with us in presenting important information, answering questions and also doing one-on-one business counseling with participants,” said Lydeana Martin, Community & Economic Development Director. “We appreciate local business owners Aaron Vaughan, Brian and Christy Corbett, and Jon Beegle, serving as mentors-for-a-night with all the Floyd C4 participants. And we look forward to continuing to work with all the participants in the Floyd C4 and seeing their businesses grow and succeed in Floyd County.”
For more information, contact Tabitha Hodge at thodge@floydcova.gov or 540 745-9352 or by cell at 540 315-0956.
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