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Dreamer:
Steve Cooperman
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
1 
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Number of Votes:
3510
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Location:
Fairfield,
IA
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We would use the money to purchase much-needed video equipment and set up our video studio to take our marketing and media company to the next level, provide better service to our clients, and create more opportunities for local young people to earn a living doing what they’re passionate about. We currently...
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Dreamer:
morgan hoenig
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
2
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Number of Votes:
3509
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Location:
Mt. Pleasant,
IA
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Mogo Organic is an organic vegetable farm, but we also grow a wide array of flowers, plants and herbs. Most of our products are sold at the local farmers market, through our CSA (farm share program), or to a local food distributor. We also grow and arrange flowers for local weddings.
I am applying...
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Dreamer:
Sheri Keenan
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
3
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Number of Votes:
814
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Location:
Fort Madison,
IA
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We give your child the party of her dreams.Our theme parties are available for girls of all ages. From our Fancy Tea-time party to our Enchanted Fairy party, we have your fanciful child's party dream. Either choice, we take the stress out of planning your perfect party. Your maiden will love this memorable...
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Dreamer:
Chris Weyrick
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
4
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Number of Votes:
724
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Location:
Wapello,
IA
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I do custom stone engraving. I do all the Rock Island Arsenal tombstones, as well as The Keokuk National Cemetery stones. I also do local finish work in the area Cemeteries. I can engrave on wood, stone, glass etc. I also do vinyl lettering. I have made business signs, window and vehicle decals. Anything...
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Dreamer:
John Wilhite
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
5
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Number of Votes:
660
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Location:
Donnellson,
IA
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We are an auto body collision repair shop. We also do full restorations on about anything with wheels. We are applying for this grant to help us finish our new building. We will use the money to help us install the electicity and the lighting.
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Dreamer:
Mark Wehrle
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
6
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Number of Votes:
636
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Location:
Wapello,
IA
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Hi! My name is Mark Wehrle and along with my wife Cindy and two kids, our BBQ team, “Cynful Smokers” began competing and winning awards at KCBS BBQ competitions. We have done some vending and catering for local events and recently vended RAGBRAI. We have realized that to be more productive and efficient...
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Dreamer:
Tara Gerdes
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
7
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Number of Votes:
537
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Location:
West Point,
IA
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Hometown Veterinary Care South/ Pure Reproduction is a business that we started a little over one year ago. We are a rurally located business in Lee County, IA that offers advanced veterinary medicine with a hometown personal touch! We currently cater to small and large animals and offer such services...
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Dreamer:
Dustin Bessine
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
8
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Number of Votes:
530
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Location:
West Burlington,
IA
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Coral Reef is a retail pet store in business since 1999 that just moved into a new location. The location is great but the building needs a complete remodel. Our current project, remodeling a room for our fish and display aquariums, is about 20% of the inside remodel. After this is complete we want to...
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Dreamer:
Jennifer Jalas
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
9
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Number of Votes:
458
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Location:
Mount Pleasant ,
IA
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I would like to open a studio and children's boutique in downtown Mount Pleasant. My dream doesn't just include me, though. I would like to create a space for other small business owners like myself to get their businesses up and running. I believe there are a lot of people in the Mount Pleasant area...
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Dreamer:
sara gray
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
10
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Number of Votes:
387
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Location:
Mount Pleasant,
IA
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Burlap & Velvet makes handmade goods for everyday home use. Every item is made from locally available vintage or vintage inspired textiles. B&V also carries a line of appliqued and vintage trimmed baby clothing.
I am applying for the Dream Big...Grow Here grant to further develop my business' online...
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Dreamer:
Dayton Patrick Carroll
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
11
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Number of Votes:
358
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Location:
Keokuk,
IA
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Grace Enterprises International imports and exports food and beverages for wholesale. We work directly with the artisan producers in this region and from around the world. We are involved in the logistics and distribution of said products. We are applying for this grant because we are a start-up seeking...
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Dreamer:
Lori Zachmeyer
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
12
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Number of Votes:
317
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Location:
West Burlington,
IA
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Dear Selection Committee,
My name is Lori Zachmeyer and I am the owner and operator of Sewing Professionals. My business services the Burlington/West Burlington and surrounding areas. Owning my own business has been a dream come true for me.
Sewing has been a passion of mine for over 30 years. I...
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Dreamer:
Freda Sojka
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
13
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Number of Votes:
295
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Location:
Columbus Junction,
IA
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Simply Soothing's Bug Soother is an all natural bug repellant, safe for children and pets. Since I first came up with the formula, the product has sold itself. I created it the year of the Midwest floods. Columbus Junction sits at the junction of two rivers that heavily flooded that year. A team...
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Dreamer:
Jon Gilrain
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
14
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Number of Votes:
282
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Location:
Fairfield,
IA
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Finnywick's would use the grant to find and pay for a larger space and the necessary improvements and fixtures to create an attractive event and play space for Southeast Iowa's kids.
Finnywick's offers Southeast Iowa a destination for creative fun that is unique in the region. Our selection of toys,...
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Dreamer:
Curt Swarm
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
15
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Number of Votes:
226
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Location:
Mt. Pleasant,
IA
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I take high quality photographs of local subjects, print, frame, and mat them, and then sell them locally and internationally. I also weld rusty farm junk into sculptures and offer them for sale along with the photographs.
I am applying because I am a start-up business, with proven success,...
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Dreamer:
Jamie-Lee Wagner
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
16
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Number of Votes:
152
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Location:
Donnellson,
IA
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I am a photographer specializing in custom portraits of individuals, children, and families. I do both in-studio and on location photography which I feel just adds more of a personal touch to the photos.
I am applying because I want to be able to give my costumers more options, choices, and more...
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Dreamer:
Michael & Lea Burke
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
17
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Number of Votes:
129
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Location:
Burlington,
IA
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Michael & I have been in business since April of 2010. We started out as The New Geek In Town, offering technological assistance; computer repair service, hardware & software products, individualized tutorials, and personalized instructions for anything technologically related. Our company, Burke Installed,...
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Dreamer:
Abby Womack
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
18
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Number of Votes:
121
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Location:
Fort Madison,
IA
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I'm just starting out and I'm applying for this loan because I have the perfect place to start a small shop. I want to sell my own handmade jewelry along with the supplies to make your own jewelry. I also want to offer classes on how to make beaded jewelry and start a society for beads in this area because...
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Dreamer:
Wendi Riggens-Miller
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
19
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Number of Votes:
110
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Location:
Burlington,
IA
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We are a professional photography team! I specialize in weddings and "new life" photography, and my associate photographer specializes in high school seniors. For 6 years, I've worked from home, meeting with clients in an extra room and shooting strictly on location. With this grant, we hope to be able...
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Dreamer:
Diane Oliver
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
20
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Number of Votes:
103
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Location:
Burlington,
IA
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Loft 18 offers clothing new and used to woman of every kind. We focus on our customers and what we can do to make their shopping experience the best by keeping our prices down, our shop "user friendly" and our customer service at it's best. We are applying because we want to be able to continue with...
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Dreamer:
Corey Cox
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
21
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Number of Votes:
81
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Location:
Burlington,
IA
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Gour-man-diz-er
Noun
One who indulges in or is a connoisseur of good eating
At Gourmandizer’s, our goal is to provide top-notch doughnuts, coffees, and experiences, each and every morning. Besides serving classic styles of doughnuts, including glazed, cake, and jelly-filled; we offer unique...
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Dreamer:
dorothy malcom
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
22
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Number of Votes:
80
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Location:
Wapello,
IA
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Town & Country Cosmetology is a Full Service Salon in Wapello, Ia. We are skilled to preform services clients cannot receive with in a 40 mile radius, the talent, Licensing and our teaching Con-Ed classes well prepares this Salon.
Challanges from the June 14th Flooding to our home in Oakville, Iowa,...
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Dreamer:
Debbie Nichols
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
23
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Number of Votes:
65
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Location:
M.Pleasant,
IA
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The Wellness Connection opened in 2000 and I bought the business in 2010. I want to move closer to down town and the building needs some love. It was a dance studio so I'll need to build rooms, redue the bathroom and paint everything. The outside has red chipped paint, no signage and a cracked window....
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Dreamer:
Megan Robertson
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
24
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Number of Votes:
62
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Location:
Burlington,
IA
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We sell women's undergarments, catering to full-figured women and brides. I am applying to obtain start-up funds, and would use the money as a down payment on a larger loan, or if that was not possible, travel to Las Vegas for the trade shows to purchase inventory, view vendors, and update skills on...
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Dreamer:
Gary Tedrow
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
25
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Number of Votes:
50
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Location:
Salem,
IA
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My home inspection business would help my client understand more about what condition the home is in if they are the buyer. And if they are the seller what they may want to repair before they sell.
I would use the money to pay my first years E&O insurence which is $1500,Fix a room in my basement for...
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Dreamer:
Dana Johnston
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
26
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Number of Votes:
48
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Location:
Burlington,
IA
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Our business is an IT Company that focus' on It Outsourcing and Business consulting. Our company has basically two divisons, Drake Hardware & Software and TurnKey Creations. Our TurnKey Creations division would like to promote and develop more branding and development campaigns for small businesses....
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Dreamer:
Carol Mortimer
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
27
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Number of Votes:
47
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Location:
Keokuk,
IA
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I am a party supply store that offers a variety of supplies and services. We make balloon bouquets, banners and can order in invitations and napkins. We offer educational toys from Melissa & Doug. We also have costumes to rent or buy.
Our goal is to continue to expand our inventory to help meet our...
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Dreamer:
Mary Garmoe
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
28
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Number of Votes:
39
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Location:
Mt. Pleasant,
IA
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My business is a bakery, I create delicious cupcakes, cakes, cookies, pies & other delicious pastries with unique flavors. I am applying because I want a chance to make my dream a reality and this will help a lot on my road to success. My employer recently closed the doors of the business, this is my...
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Dreamer:
kristin rucinski
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
29
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Number of Votes:
20
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Location:
Burlington,
IA
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My business Ru-Marie Produtions will be a production company where I will start to use the Memorial Auditorium more fully. It is a beautiful concert hall built in the late 1930,s that needs to be brought back for use as a concert hall. I am looking at artists such as snow patrol and silversun pick-ups...
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Dreamer:
Jennifer Espy
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
30
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Number of Votes:
16
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Location:
Mount Pleasant,
IA
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I would like to apply the $5,000 prize money towards purchasing (and possibly renovating) a home in my hometown of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, with the intent of transforming it into a bed and breakfast inn. There are so many homes in that area which embody unique architecture. This architecture bodes well...
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Dreamer:
Diane Boyd
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
31
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Number of Votes:
14
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Location:
Burlington,
IA
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I would use the money for the advertising I need to do that I cannot afford right now. I want Di's to be the first store everyone thinks of when they talk of weddings and special occassions. I am the only bridal store in Burlington and want to reach brides in a 100 mile radias. Brides travel to the Quad...
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Dreamer:
John Reeves
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
32
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Number of Votes:
10
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Location:
Fairfield,
IA
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Saturday is when I take my heirloom, specially-grown watermelons to the Farmer's Market, and to regular customers for home delivery.
I have been researching and perfecting my growing technique, watering system, soil recipe and product delivery system for eight years, and I am running into barriers...
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Dreamer:
kristin rucinski
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
33
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Number of Votes:
2
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Location:
Burlington,
IA
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When I get the grant, the money will be used to help secure a known band. In the industry you have to put so much down in order to even get them. Then the other monies will be used for printing tickets for the show. Once I have secured the band I can then begin the process of promoting them as well....
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Dreamer:
Sonya Rackham
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
33
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Number of Votes:
2
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Location:
Burlington,
IA
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My dream is to open a Ballroom Dance Studio in Burlington. From my very first steps on the dance floor I was intoxicated with the atmosphere, the teachers, and--of course--the dancing!
Since then I have come to realize that dancing is a passion I have and I want nothing more than to share...
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Dreamer:
Megan Oetken
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
33
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Number of Votes:
2
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Location:
New London ,
IA
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We are a Resturant and Bakery in One! We make great food and bakery goodies. We are applying to try to impove and expand our Catering Business. We would use the money to buy more eqipment.
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Dreamer:
Levi Smith
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
36
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Number of Votes:
1
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Location:
Burlington,
IA
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My dream business would consist of an entertainment store. I worked at a Blockbuster for several years and made a lot of new friends within our community and when our store got shut down, I decided I could then provide the community with a place to rent movies and games again but I would take it a step...
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Dreamer:
Jean Winnike
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Contest:
Southeast Iowa 2011
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Current Rank:
36
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Number of Votes:
1
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Location:
Fort Madison,
IA
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We not only sell and service bikes, but we want to get people started in cycling or some other form of exercise. We also want to promote healthier diets and would use some of the grant money to expand our kitchen so that we can expand our menu. We would also like to offer classes and seminars on cycling,...
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