Entrepreneurs tell their stories at April Ignite event

Hannibal, MO – Ignite participants gathered at Cave Hollow Winery at the Mark Twain Cave Complex to hear four area entrepreneurs tell their stories of their journey to business ownership. Ignite’s April event featured JR Bareis of Tigerhawk Technologies, Charlie and Laurel Phillips of the Quarry House, Austin and Todd Curry of the Mark Twain Cave Complex, and Barb Crane of the Powder Room, Travelers Rooming House and Travelers Boutique.

Each of the four entrepreneurs spent fifteen minutes sharing lessons learned and their path to business ownership. Key themes from the presenters included overcoming failure, using your resources, asking for help, giving back to the community, and being willing to take risk.

Attendees asked the panelists questions and networked before and after the event. Austin Curry gave a tour of the new Mark Twain Cave visitor center. This month’s event was sponsored by Tigerhawk Technologies.

The next Ignite event will be an informal networking event on Wednesday, May 18^th at the Quarry House at 511 Birch Street sponsored by Great Rivers Bank. All Ignite events start at 5:30 pm. For more information check out the Facebook event.

Ignite is a partnership between Hannibal Regional Economic Development Council, Missouri SBDC, and the Hannibal Chamber of Commerce dedicated to creating an ecosystem that attracts, creates, supports, and accelerates new and existing businesses in Northeast Missouri. The Ignite program is made of three components; expert technical assistance, establishing entrepreneurial support networks, and connecting entrepreneurs with investors. If you have an entrepreneurial endeavor you would like to present to an investor, contact Maria Kuhns to prepare a business plan. Ignite is funded through program sponsors including Hannibal Regional Hospital, P&D Electric, Chariton Valley, and Northeast Power.

For more information on Ignite and how you can be a part of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, contact Maria Kuhns at sbdc@hredc.com or visit us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.