June 27, 2018 at 5:45 p.m.
Replace-a-Lace entrepreneur advances to the finals of the Governor's Business Plan Contest
Replace-a-Lace entrepreneur advances to the finals of the Governor's Business Plan Contest
Nancy Brekke-Jones is one of 12 finalists in the Governor's Business Plan Contest, Gov. Scott Walker's office announced in a June 6 press release.
"The goal of the contest is to encourage entrepreneurs in tech-based businesses who are in the startup stage to compete," the release states. "The contest helps connect up-and-coming entrepreneurs with a statewide network of community resources, experts, high quality education, management talent, and sometimes capital resources. Mehrdad Arjmand and Aaron Olson, co-founders of NovoMoto, were awarded the grand prize. NovoMoto designs and builds solar systems for homes, businesses, microgrids, and charging states for remote areas in Africa."
Brekke-Jones is the owner and inventor of a product called Replace-A-Lace, a hook and loop fastener system that replaces traditional laces in shoes for people who need an alternative to laces due to arthritis, injury or limited dexterity.
"I worked for a local shoe company for the past 26 years and weekly I would get calls for an easier way to tie shoes," she explained during Jan. 23 press conference at Nicolet College where she discussed her participation in the 10-week Nicolet Entrepreneurial Training (NET) business blueprint course.
As there was no existing product on the market that would directly replace laces in regular shoes, she started working on what would eventually become Replace-A-Lace, she said in January.
"At some point in this process, I knew I would need a business plan," she said. "I had no idea where to turn so I went online to Nicolet and I started researching the classes that were out there. I saw this program for the entrepreneurship classes that were starting literally in less than a week. I panicked and I called up right away and they said they still had openings and the class was in Crandon, and I said sign me up."
She called the information she received in the classes "amazing," and noted that the course provided step-by-step instructions that resulted in her having a finished business plan at the end of the 10 weeks.
She said the program also included guest speakers from area businesses who offered advice on accounting, digital marketing, traditional marketing and taxes.
"They gave us information on what we would need to know as business owners and we were able to ask questions," she said. "This class really gave me the tools to really take it to the next level."
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