Michigan entrepreneurs use pitch money to form cooking school

A popular Michigan-based competition, known as 5×5 Night, provides an opportunity for entrepreneurs to pitch their food-related business ideas. If the judges are interested, the participants may receive investment money to kick start their idea and begin the business formation process. Two participants were able to come together to form a new business after one of them received funding based on their pitch.

The two individuals collaborated with one another to create the Grand Rapids Cooking School. This cooking school offers classes to teach new and creative ways to cook, at a low cost, for anyone looking to learn in a casual atmosphere. Right now, the two are working together to determine the best way to get this business up and running effectively financially.

The two are interested in eventually opening a brick-and-mortar location. However, for now, the classes are being held at an existing commercial kitchen in Eastown, which is operated by a previous 5×5 Night graduate.

The pair has begun to use social media for advertising and promoting their classes. This came in reaction to lower than anticipated initial response. But, now, with social media as their primary source for booking and advertisement, the classes are filling up very quickly. These Michigan entrepreneurs hope to build on their current success by continuing to offer classes in the future.

The pair created these low-cost cooking classes out of passion, which is something that any entrepreneur or business owner can benefit from as they develop and execute their business plan. In the case of these two 5×5 night participants, they utilized social media to get their business up and running. Clearly, they are doing the right things by responding to current trends and adapting their operations and marketing to launch and grow their business.

Source: MLive.com, ” 5×5 Night entrepreneurs start low-cost Grand Rapids Cooking School at Uptown Kitchen ,” Garret Ellison, April 23, 2012