Lehto wins fourth annual Idea Bounce at Gogebic Community College

IRONWOOD - Five students shared their business ideas during the fourth annual Idea Bounce at Gogebic Community College, Tuesday.

The students presented on a wide variety of ideas and were judged on their presentations of the ideas by local business owners, business professors and other professionals.

Beth Steiger, a business instructor at GCC, told the presenters that the event was a "great way" to share an idea and have practice presenting.

Ross Lehto, was named the winner after presenting his idea on opening a gunsmithing shop in Ironwood. Jerri Pollack received second place for her idea to open a store dealing with hunting, fishing and trapping supplies.

Caitlyn Hendrickson received third place for her idea on opening a bakery dealing with Finnish desserts.

Other presenters included John Hoffman on opening a carbon fiber 3D printing business and Bob Brantley on doing a recreational towing company for stranded ATVers and snowmobilers.

After the event, the winners were able to have one-on-one time with judges to learn tips on how to make their ideas successful.

"This will help take your idea to the next level," Steiger said.

All of the presenters were questioned by the judges on what would be needed to start the business, sources of funding, additional schooling or trainings, marketing and closest competitors.

Judges were Ashley Amundson, owner and operator of Crosshairs Salon in Ironwood; Bill Steiger, owner and operator of Steiger's Ace Hardware in Bessemer; Kady Meinke, a business instructor at GCC; Ray Amtmann, a business owner and retired professor from Northern Michigan University; and Alan Zimmerman, a motivational speaker and consultant.

Zimmerman spoke to the presenters before the winners were announced about his formula for success.

"The formula is purpose plus passion plus process equals payoff," Zimmerman said. ""If you have those key ingredients, you will be successful."

Each of the presenters made an "impression" on Zimmerman with their ideas.

"I am very impressed with all of the presenters," Zimmerman said. "There are three types of people in this world, those who make things happen, those who wait for things to happen and those who wonder what happened. You are all making things happen."

For more information, call GCC at 906-932-4231.