Success Stories
Learn Great Foods
Ann Dougherty started Learn Great Foods in the spring of 2005, after she saw a need for something different in the culinary world that focused on helping the environment. With extensive experience in chemical and environmental engineering, Ann was determined to start a business to enhance the environment in rural areas. With the help of the WBDC, Learn Great Foods was created and now provides agri-culinary tours and dinners, retreat weekends and travel vacations in a seven state region.
Ann found the WBDC and began receiving business counseling that helped her tremendously. The main thing she took away from the hours of one-on-one counseling and FastTrac Planning workshop series was exactly what her business model is -specialty travel. By determining that, she was able to structure her entire business for success. Furthermore, the Center also provided her with realistic expectations, “It takes seven years to break even, which we are on track to do, and we’re in this for the long haul,” says Ann.
As a specialty travel business, Ann has learned that not everything goes exactly as planned. When working with 80 different farms, 16 chefs and an unknown number of clients, supply sometimes doesn’t meet demand and vice versa. However, Ann is up for the challenge, “It’s like an orchestra, and we like the complication!” Despite the numerous contracted workers, through the farms and chefs, there is only a core group of six people working with Ann. Presidency of the company has shifted from Ann to another woman, which has been fantastic for Ann, “I like being a part of the process and I only have to satisfy the shareholders, which is me!” Ann now gets to have all the fun of leading tours without as many business obligations.
Over the past two years Learn Great Foods has grown to comfortably host up to 60 guests at one time, while still providing an intimate tour experience. On top of the tour growth Learn Great Foods started developing FoodBooks in 2008 as a way to educate others on food and the environment. By creating these Ann has been able to expand her client base to educational establishments and other regions. Plus, she now has the capabilities to provide start up kits to other entrepreneurs interested in doing similar businesses in different regions. “The WBDC was so helpful I try to come back and help whenever possible. It was incredibly valuable to take a business plan writing class.”
Bondfire Creative
Janice Bond is founder of Bondfire Creative, a company which integrates digital and social media marketing with traditional marketing. Started in 2005 in Chicago, Bondfire Creative is now a national company with clients primarily in Chicago, New York, and Houston. Bondfire’s clients range from small businesses to nonprofit agencies.
Janice believes that Bondfire’s organic approach is what sets them apart from the competition. Janice believes in educating her clients and integrating into, rather than interrupting, each client’s business. In the past year Janice has focused on social consciousness and sustainability and has positioned Bondfire Creative as part of the new eco-digital movement, showing how technology is not the enemy of the environment.
Janice first found the WBDC through a webinar a few years ago where one of the WBDC’s business counselors was a speaker. Since that time she has come to the Center for one-on-one business counseling. Janice says, “The WBDC helped me to narrow down and focus on my target audience. As a WBDC client, I have received incredible support and opportunities from my business counselor.” Janice’s relationship with the WBDC has also opened up new networking opportunities, and Bondfire Creative has at least one client Janice met through the WBDC.
Recently Bondfire Creative, with the Bronzeville Institute of Technology, is developing a digital ambassadorship program which will allow students to connect with other countries and engage in digital cultural exchange. Janice is also working on a new, interactive boot camp for small businesses on digital media, and she has shared social media expertise with other women business owners through her participation in the WBDC’s Ask the Experts program at the Annual Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference and Child Care Business Expo.
For more information on Bondfire Creative, please click here
