Back Woods Trading Co. takes home $10,000; 2025 competition is live now
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What business couldn’t benefit from $10,000?
The answer is obvious, and for two fledgling businesses in Kokomo, that windfall was up for grabs as part of The Drive, presented by Inventrek, on Thu., Oct. 3
Inventrek was designed by the local economic development community to serve as business incubator. Though initially focused on high-tech start-ups, it gradually expanded its reach to encompass all business endeavors.
To that end, the organization launched The Drive, a Shark Tank-style business competition where promising new entrepreneurs battle it out for a $10,000 prize. Now in its third year, Inventrek leaders and supporters gathered at Ivy Tech Community College’s Hingst Hall on Oct. 3 to watch the finalists vie for the money.
The competition pitted Kingdom Kids Learning Center against the Back Woods Trading Co. And to everyone’s surprise, there were no losers in the room.
Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance CEO Lori Dukes welcomed the audience to the event, explaining that Inventrek was responsible for adding $29 million to Howard County’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023 through its tenants and membership.
“This support is vital as we look to create jobs, attract new talent, and drive economic development in Kokomo,” said Dukes.
Those three goals were on display during the competition, and the 2023 champion, Margaret Johnson of The Wellness Garden, explained how the $10,000 prize helped her business thrive.
“The biggest reason I wanted the $10,000 was to hire somebody,” said Johnson. “The other thing that was in my business plan was to hire a bookkeeper.”
Both of those goals were accomplished, which enabled Johnson to concentrate on growing her business. Just a year later, she has added new services to her holistic medical company, new product lines, and even a selection of health products for dogs.
Knowing what was at stake, the competition began in earnest. The general guidelines for the event allowed each contestant approximately 12 minutes to make a presentation to the judges. The panel included: Monty Henderson, Senior Business Coordinator for Henderson Ag Advantage; Ethan Heicher, Chancellor of Ivy Tech Community College Kokomo; and Bob Hickman, Senior Vice President of the Commercial Loan Department at Community First Bank of Indiana.
Once the business pitches were complete, the judges asked questions and then deliberated before announcing a winner.
First up was Crystina Diaz, owner of Kingdom Kids Learning Center. Diaz chose to come to Kokomo after learning she was pregnant with her first child. She wanted a safe place to raise a family. Once here, she started working and studying. She received an associate's degree from Ivy Tech Community College in science elementary education.
Seven years later, she's building her business, Kingdom Kids Learning Center.
“From my experience in the childcare field, I was quickly able to identify that there was a need for high quality care in my community,” said Diaz. “While working in the childcare field, I noticed that there was a lack of learning curriculum being used. Students were attending learning centers, but not learning much.
“Students of low-income families were not being treated equally and were shown little to no diversity. There was a lack of love and compassion in the classroom, which increased behavioral issues in the students. I knew that I had to be the one to make a change to fill in the gap in my community.”
Diaz currently is working toward achieving a Paths to Quality Level 4 accreditation from the State of Indiana, needing to install an industrial kitchen to reach that goal. Kingdom Kids currently holds a Level 3 accreditation.
The Drive's $10,000 prize would enable Diaz to expand. Currently, Kingdom Kids is licensed to handle 30 children, though only seven currently are enrolled. Diaz intends to engage in aggressive marketing to attract new students, which includes new signage at the facility.
Once that revenue stream is secured, adding a kitchen fits into Diaz's plan.
The second competitor, Luke Talley, started the Back Woods Trading Co. in February 2023, putting his MBA from Indiana University Kokomo to work. His company produces branded and custom leather patch products for companies and individuals interested in either outdoors activities or promoting their own brands.
This two-pronged approach makes his company nimble, Talley explained. The Back Woods brand appeals to enthusiasts of hunting, fishing, camping, and hiking who seek to express their interests.
Meanwhile, the custom patches allow companies to promote their own brands through apparel, regardless of their interests or focus.
"We can change and adjust our tactics based on the performance data and the feedback," said Talley. "I can actually pivot my strategy at any point in time because of the way I've structured this business. if I feel like the outdoor brand is maybe the economy's going down, I can go and focus on weddings.
I can focus on anyone that uses a hat, or anyone that may like candles. We also have the ability to come out with new products. I can change my strategy as far as the economy. I can change my strategy as far as the product."
Talley's main difficulty, and the item which the $10,000 prize will most assist, is a production bottleneck. He knows a worker can produce 18 patches an hour, but the industrial sewing machine the company currently possesses only allows a worker to complete 12 products an hour.
Adding a second sewing machine will greatly aid Back Woods in scaling up and attracting new customers by increasing production. Without it, the company has missed sales targets twice in the past year.
The only way to break the bottleneck is to add another piece of equipment."
With the presentations complete, the session broke for deliberations while those in attendance enjoyed light appetizers provided by Beyond Bruno’s Catering. Once the three judges made their decision, Dukes returned to the stage to announce the winner, along with a pair of other revelations that were warmly received by the audience.
First, Dukes disclosed that the application process for the 2025 Drive competition officially opened on Oct. 3 with her announcement. Business owners interested in participating are encouraged to apply by visiting www.greaterkokomo.com/thedrive/ where the entry form will be posted.
Dukes then announced the 2024 Drive winner, Back Woods Trading Co.
Talley returned to the stage to thank the judges and Greater Kokomo, but he also had kind words for his fellow competitor, Diaz.
"Crystina, that was a great presentation," said Talley. "You did a great job, and I wish nothing but the best for you. Anything that I can do in order to give back to you and help you in any possible way, I will do that.
"I absolutely appreciate what it is that you're doing. And if the Back Woods Trading Co. can help you in any way, we'll do that."
Dukes had one final announcement that rocked the room. Kingdom Kids Learning Center wasn't going home empty-handed.
"I'm super excited to announce that this year we are including a runner-up award; our CTP (Certified Technology Park) Jump-Start Award," said Dukes. "That is a $2,500 award that you will be receiving.
"This is really impacting the primary goals we have as an organization, especially with Inventrek and economic development. This is how we continue to spur motivation and take the opportunity to drive our entrepreneurs in the community."