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BUCYRUS -- Matt Gibson made his money. He was an accomplished advertising agent, and is now looking for a new challenge.

 Get help from Silent Partners when You Start a Business

Gibson, with help from a silent partner in the Crawford County area, purchased Go Fast LLC and created Champion Foodservice, which puts together ready-to-serve meals that can last -- at this point -- up to a year on the shelf without going bad.

The focus is to provide services to schools, then expand. Gibson said he has two major contracts in the works that would expand the operation that employs 20 mostly full-time workers.

"We are a new business, so some weeks are better than others," Gibson said. "We hope to expand, but most of the workers get about 35 hours per week right now -- give or take."

Champion is trying to do many things differently, beginning with its employment practices -- which are unusual in this area.

Gibson works closely with Beacon House, which provides transitional housing for women overcoming addictions. He employs some who have gone through the program successfully.

"I believe in second chances, and when people walk through that door, it is their first chance with me," Gibson said. "I am here for business, this isn't religious-related, but by partnering with Beacon House we can give someone a shot that might not have otherwise had one.

"I have already had someone who has worked for me and promoted them into a management position. That can be scary at this early stage."

That's not to say Gibson will be able to hire everyone who goes through the program.

"They will still be drug-tested and all of those things. I am about not lying, having integrity and being very loyal," Gibson said. "This is important. This community really needs it. The more we can grow, the more the community can benefit from it, too."

Gibson, of Grand Rapids, Mich., worked for one of the largest shelf-stable food packaging facilities in the country before coming to Bucyrus.

With help from his partner, he set up the business and brought one of his biggest clients from his former company to his new endeavor. That helped him get off the ground quickly. Since May, he has shipped one million meals.

"We want to create a Google type of atmosphere here," Gibson said. "We have a different edge to how we do our business here. We are using a lot more technology to drive our sales than the old way.

"We work with Michelle Obama's administration helping kids stay healthy. All of the food we put in there is healthy. Obesity is a big problem, and we are hoping to help with that. We follow where the federal money goes and work towards helping with that. Some of the things we put in there, they look like snacks, but they are whole grain.

"It matters what's inside the product."

Gibson said in his old job, when Hurricane Katrina hit, he helped to get more than a million meals out to the victims through the Federal Emergency Management Agency

Written by

Henry S. Conte

Telegraph-Forum

Utilizing your current skills can make life a lot easier for you when starting a new business. The financial part of the business can be supported by your chosen professional team.

John Whiteley, Certified Accountant

     

How to start a business is a difficult task which is proven with over a 80% failure rate for new businesses within the first two years. Your accountant and support team will provide you with valuable advice and great practical ideas so that you stay in the 20% success group.

	Preparation of business plan which will encompass market research, competition, investment required, cash flow, projection of income; employees needed, and funding sources. Your accountant will help you with this plan.
	Find a product or service that fits your plan
	Determine the extent of your business resources
	Calculate the total investment needed for equipment and working capital
	Decide on the best legal structure for your proposed business; factors to consider are; risk, branding, taxation. Do not incorporate a company on your own before discussing with your team members.
	Physical location of your business if not home based

An experienced business coach can help you navigate through the maze of obstacles in this new business startup phase and keep you focused on your personal and business goals. Just as Small Business Navigator can help you with your business plan, The business directory at DandB.com can help you gain insight into small business credit information.

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