Hands Up Lake County virtual business competition premieres Dec. 6

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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Six businesses will vie for six prizes at a virtual business competition on Sunday, Dec. 6.

The first prize winner will walk away with a cash award of $15,000 sponsored by the city of Clear Lake and The Lodge at Blue Lakes.

Hands Up Lake County, a local first, is a project of the recently formed nonprofit, 1Team 1Dream.

Inspired by Shark Tank and Mendocino Start Up, the business competition attracted 36 businesses. Fifteen made it to the second phase, a one-day business plan training and mini-competition where judges made a very tough choice.

Ultimately Lisa Wilson of Clear Lake Boat Rental, Mayra and Nick Lam of Lam Printing, David Brown of Susie Q’s Donuts and Espresso, Mark and Tammy Lipps of The Ripe Choice Farm and Catering, Dottie Bates of True Grit Coffeehouse and Stacie Judson of Wild Bee Creations made it to the final phase.

In addition to the $15,000 prize, five prizes ranging from $5,000 to $1,000 will be awarded.

The second prize of $5,000 is sponsored by First Community Bank; the third prize of $3,000 is sponsored by Savings Bank of Mendocino; the fourth and fifth prizes, $1,500 and $1,000, respectively, are sponsored by the city of Lakeport; a special sixth prize of $2,500 will go to a Lakeport business.

The premier sponsor, The Lodge at Blue Lakes, matched each prize and sponsored the sixth prize. A total of $28,000 in cash will be awarded.

Each business will pitch their business plan to a panel of distinguished business and community leaders who will serve as judges.

Founder Maryann Schmid praised all the sponsors, a total of 21, for supporting the project, including the major event sponsor, August Schmitt of August Schmitt Realty Solutions who donated $6,000.

“We also want to thank the Rotary Clubs of Clearlake and Lakeport and all the corporate and individual donors who sent checks ranging from $300 to $3,000, all to support small businesses in Lake County,” said Olga Steele, co-founder and board chair.

A special “Fan Favorite” prize will also be awarded and announced at the business competition. Anyone can participate in selecting their favorite business. To vote for one of the 6 finalists, go to https://www.facebook.com/1Team1DreamLakeCounty/.

The business competition will be staged at the Soper Reese Theatre, the program will be streamed live, beginning at 1:45 p.m. at the Facebook site above.

Helena Welsh, one of the board members, said she joined 1Team 1Dream because its mission and the business competition was just what small business needed. “It’s such a challenging time – I’m pleased to give my time to such a worthy endeavor.”

The mission of 1Team 1Dream is to support and promote economic resiliency in Lake County. The goal of Hands Up Lake County is to reinforce the idea that if you hold on to your dreams, you can make it.

“The project rewards the best of the best and demonstrates that the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in our communities – and, with continued support in key areas of business – financial planning, marketing and digital learning, the sky’s the limit,” Welsh said.