Organic farm takes RISE award at LFCC’s entrepreneurship event

Ali and Dan Haney hold the checks they received as Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice in the RISE event at LFCC. Photo/Norma Jean Shaw

MIDDLETOWN – The Corron Center at Lord Fairfax Community College was the scene of an exciting “Shark Tank” style entrepreneur competition Tuesday evening, as the Small Business Development Center held its second event.

Taking both the People’s Choice and the Judge’s Choice awards was Shenandoah Seasonal, owned by Ali Haney and her husband Dan Haney. The couple’s farm is in Clarke County and grows four seasons of organic food. Located at the intersection of Rt. 50 and Rt. 340, they offer a variety of produce to the community.

Ms. Haney told the audience she would use the prize money to purchase a small shed and open up an organic farm store, which would be the first in Clarke County. She anticipated the store would hold a grand opening by mid-July.

For winning the event, the Haneys received a prize package worth $8500, including $5000 in cash, as well as Chamber of Commerce memberships, an advertising package and a social media consultation. The People’s Choice award was a cash prize based upon ticket sales to the event.

Other entrepreneurs participating in the event, included: Milissa Marshall’s Brag Swag, which creates original designs for apparel and gear; Dian DiPasquale’s Front Royal Premier Copiers; Jon Eye’s Mover Dudes, Inc.; Shae Parker’s Shae Signs/Hanna Signs; Rob Campbell’s Sherando Family Fitness and Craig Laird’s The Vine and Leaf artisan café.

The entrepreneurs attended six weekly workshops led by Lord Fairfax and Shenandoah University professors, as well as local professionals and developed their business plan based upon the knowledge gained through the classes. Finalists were narrowed down from the group based upon their business plans and other criteria.

Bright Box Theatre served as the RISE – Regional Initiative Supporting Entrepreneurship – competition’s title sponsor. Marilyn Finnemore spoke to the audience about the importance of following one’s passion.

“There is nothing better in the world than taking your passion and making it a reality,” she told the entrepreneurs. Being an entrepreneur, she said provided one the vision and freedom to follow one’s dreams and passions.

Bill Long, owner of the Auto Care Clinic in Front Royal, was last year’s big winner, taking home a prize package worth $8,500. While he used the money to expand his business by adding several service bays, he told the crowd Tuesday night that what proved more valuable than the prize money was the knowledge he gained from the classes and from writing and following a business plan.

Christine Kriz is the director of the Lord Fairfax Small Business Development Center. Speaking about the RISE event Tuesday night, she said, “Many people have come together to make this possible. It really says a lot about the community that we’re in and their passion to see the community thrive.”

The Royal Examiner cameras were there…
Check out the winning announcements!