COSE DELIVERS BUSINESS PLAN CHALLENGE 2003 AWARD TO MINORITY BUSINESS CATEGORY RUNNER-UP

The Spiritual Spa Receives $3,000 for Second Place Minority Business Category Win in Business Plan Writing Competition

CLEVELAND,(PRWEB) December 17 2003–The Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE), the small business division of the Greater Cleveland Growth Association, today delivered awards and prize money to the winners of the COSE Business Plan Challenge 2003, the organizations second regional business plan writing competition. The Spiritual Spa of Shaker Heights won the second place award in the Minority Business Category.

The Spiritual Spa provides people who are suffering from chronic pain and stress through holistic healing treatments that complement traditional medical care—including help for those recovering from alcohol dependency.

This recognition of the efforts by The Spiritual Spa in its first year is almost as satisfying as the number of people that have been helped by the unique services,” says George Williams, Business & Marketing Advisor. The Founder Rev. Joan SalmonCampbell and Mr. Williams felt entering the contest was a way to confirm their business model and as a way to reach out to help more people.

The breadth of talent and ingenuity of ideas submitted in these plans were overwhelming,” said Keith Ashmus, COSE chairman and partner at Frantz Ward LLP. The Business Plan Challenge continues to demonstrate that entrepreneurship is still alive in Northeast Ohio. Were pleased that the Challenge continues to inspire small business owners and prospective entrepreneurs with an incentive to write their business plans.”

"Entrepreneurship is about seizing opportunity,” said COSE Executive Director Steve Millard. This years Challenge rewards those that seized the opportunity to participate with cash, assistance, feedback and ongoing support—well beyond today.”

The immediate payoff to the winners is significant, with $15,000 going to each of the category winners, and an additional $35,000 ($50,000 total) to the Best of Show Winner. Category winners also will receive a range of valuable business support services, including business technology consultation, cellular phone service and financial planning. In addition, eight companies received $3,000 as Second Place Category Award winners for their plans.

More than 150 businesses submitted plans. The winners were selected through a rigorous, two-part review process. The first stage was conducted by a panel of small business experts.

This group examined the plans in detail to ensure that the components of a good business plan were present. Then, a second panel, consisting of experts in the five core categories (Start Up, Innovation/Growth, Arts, Manufacturing and Technology), made the final determination on the basis of each plan's creativity and quality. Fifty judges spent a minimum of five to 10 hours each reading business plans.

COSE, the small business division of the Greater Cleveland Growth Association, serves as a one-stop resource for its 16,700-plus members by providing: group-purchasing programs that reduce the cost of doing business; advocacy on legislative and regulatory issues affecting the business community; a wide range of resources focused on helping firms grow; and economic development partners that can address business concerns. www.cose.org

The Greater Cleveland Growth Associations mission is to serve as a catalyst for economic growth and jobs creation in Northeast Ohio. As one of the largest chambers in the nation, the Growth Association is committed to providing superior value to members by enhancing Greater Clevelands competitive advantage through leadership, collaboration and innovation. www.clevelandgrowth.com

The Spiritual Spa emphasizes healing and the well-being of body, mind and spirit. In short, The Spiritual Spa offers health and wellness services and niche products to those who need a form of therapeutic care – with a personal touch. These unique services are provided to individuals, families and applicable health care agencies through energy-based healing treatments, personal coaching, education workshops, training seminars and group retreats. The Spiritual Spa approach does not replace traditional medicine, but rather complements the healing process. The individual treatments are deeply relaxing and create a sense of total comfort that has proven to increase the rate of patient recovery.
www.thespiritualspa.com
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