Erin Laughlin
In Motion Staff Writer
Every Wednesday morning across America early stage entrepreneurs take part in the 1 Million Cups program, where they present their companies to audiences consisting of peers, mentors, educators and advisors.
The name 1MC comes from the idea that entrepreneurs find solutions and network their companies over one million cups of coffee.
1MC is a national program of over 300 volunteers, in over 35 states with 77 communities; one of those communities is located in Daytona Beach. Local entrepreneurs have been presenting at 1MC since November 2014. Volusia County-based companies who have presented in the program include Lifting Life, Rubicon Business Services and Evolution Health Club.
The 1MC organizer for the Daytona Beach community is Daytona State’s Small Business Development Center consultant Art Zimment. Zimment, a successful entrepreneur and attorney, has extensive business and legal education experience.
Zimment believes the success of 1MC in the Daytona area lies with the population’s drive to support local business, resulting in “Daytona being one of the only places entrepreneurs can have a career.”
Attending the weekly presentation can have a meaningful impact on local business people; according to Zimment, “by attending the meetings people meet others who have free critical information that can help each other succeed.”
The criterion to present at 1MC is fairly simple and a business only has two qualifications required to apply for presentation.
Firstly, the business model must convey the intention and ability to grow. Examples of growth are technology use to scale larger or geographic expansion. Secondly, the company must be 3 years old or younger.
When an entrepreneur’s company meets the qualifications and wants to present they then will fill out an application found on the program’s website. Then the entrepreneur must watch and answer questions on the Kauffman Founders School Powerful Presentation Series, which is free for all to access.
After applying, the 1MC organizer will respond with either a presentation date or rejection. If the application is rejected the organizers fully encourage still attending presentations and other educational opportunities supported by 1MC.
Upon acceptance of their application, the business owner receives coaching from the organizer on their presentation, which is six minutes long and follows up with a 20-minute Q&A session.
After the presentation is when the audience provides real advice for the entrepreneur, formal feedback from the organizers via a survey. It is also possible for the audience to leave private comments and feedback that will go in the presenters’ private company profiles.
On March 23 twin brothers Damien and D’armon Beckton presented their company Foodfastic to the 1MC audience at the local Cinematique theater and spoke about their evolution as entrepreneurs. The brothers were born and raised Volusia County locals and graduated from Seabreeze High School. Now they are inspiring other local entrepreneurs and trying to help everyone they meet.
A 2015 report conducted by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, which is the world’s foremost study of entrepreneurship, found that 27 million Americans started or began running new businesses in 2014. In the same report it is recorded that an additional 14 million people are estimated to be running established businesses.
According to GEM, the age group that is most at a disadvantage for starting their own business are the Millennials, since they commonly lack confidence and mentorship. The report found that only one-third of Millennials know someone who has started a business.
While the 1MC program can help those of all ages to create a successful business, it can solve the potential lack in emotional and professional support for the Millennial generation.
The Beckton brothers addressed the issue of lack of guidance, saying, “When you don’t have proper guidance it makes things more difficult. When you have mentors your thought process changes.”
The Becktons say one of their objectives is to “Inspire others, we all have the same goals, just different approaches.”
Mark Vivino, Senior Electrical Engineer at Automated Measurement Systems LLC in Daytona Beach, has been attending 1MC in Daytona since its first presentation in 2014. Vivino says he wants to learn about creating a new business and continually attends the program to “make great contacts and broaden my network.”
About 50 people attended the March 23 presentation, with an age range from early twenties to late sixties. Notable people in attendance included Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry and Dwayne Taylor, a member of the Florida House of Representatives.
By attending the Daytona Beach 1MC presentations, aspiring entrepreneurs can create a whole support system of like-minded individuals who can help them achieve entrepreneurial success, sponsors say.
1MC meets every Wednesday at 9 a.m. at the Cinematique Theater, 242 S Beach St. Daytona Beach. To contact organizer Art Zimment call 386-506-4723. For more information on 1MC program visit its website at 1millioncups.com, or follow 1 Million Cups Daytona Beach on Facebook.