Marion Technical College issued the following announcement on Jan. 27.
(Marion) When Alluvial Private Wealth opened its door a year ago, the founders wanted a name that would signify growth. Alluvial was chosen as a nod to mineral-rich alluvial soil from which fertile crops grow. Now, in celebration of their first anniversary, Alluvial is investing in the Marion community with a $25,000 commitment to The Forge business classes and competition at Marion Technical College. The Forge offers education to help entrepreneurs and small businesses succeed. The competition will be known as the Alluvial Private Wealth Forge Competition.
“When small businesses thrive, everyone in our community wins,” said Lars Olson, President of Alluvial. “We are excited to see The Forge expand and grow with additional resources.”
In the last five years, the business classes from Marion Tech and the “Shark Tank”-style competitions for seed money have sparked or grown a number of MarionMade! businesses. These including Ability Vending, Attaboys, A Taste of Memphis, the Explore-It-Torium Children’s Museum, Harding Harbor Seafood, Jordan Energy Alternative, Leading Ladies, Painless Fleet Maintenance, Presidential Cleaning Services, Sights Unseen Travel and the Sweada Mae Art Café. They have resulted in dozens of new jobs.
Lisa Bush, Assistant Vice President of Alluvial, said, “We believe in Marion. I grew up here and am raising my family here. I’m excited to invest in Marion’s future and the small businesses helping our community to thrive.”
Olson was a member of the Leadership Marion class of the Marion Area Chamber of Commerce that founded The Forge to help Marion spark more small businesses and help entrepreneurs be successful. Alluvial’s sponsorship of The Forge will enable Marion Tech to do additional promotion to recruit future entrepreneurs and small business owners looking to expand.
Past participants of the Forge and winners of the business competition are excited at this new step.
“That’s exciting! The Forge was really the starting point for us,” said Cindy Binns, founder of the Explore-It-Torium Children’s Museum and first winner of The Forge.
The free business classes from Marion Tech are open to anyone with an idea for a new business in Marion or an existing local business with 50 or fewer employees that is looking to grow.
“Alluvial’s sponsorship of the Forge will be an incredible partnership. It’s definitely a win for the Forge and those with a business idea ready to take the next step,” said Jessica Coleman, founder of Leading Ladies, now Legacy Mentoring Group, and winner of the 2019 Forge competition.
Another 2019 winner of the Forge agreed.
“The Forge has cultivated an explosion of entrepreneurship in Marion which continues to grow momentum years after inception,” said Jason Jordan, founder of Jordan Energy Alternatives and several other small businesses.
One 2018 winner of the Forge just opened her storefront next to another business sparked by The Forge, Attaboys. Sweada Mae Art Café would not be open without the Forge.
Original source can be found here.
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