Blessings launched

Dawn Alicea is looking to add some intensity to sports portraits.

She got some help in that quest Saturday night.

Alicea’s Blessings Photography took home the top prize and was the fan favorite during the Launch Jay! business pitch competition hosted by Jay County Development Corporation and Jay County Chamber of Commerce at Jay County Junior/Senior High School.

Blessings, a Portland business, will receive $7,500 for taking first place and another $1,000 as the fan favorite to be used toward expenses to enhance the business.

“It’s kind of like a dream come true,” said Alicea. “I’ve always been really passionate about my photos and I’m very passionate about the community and Jay County. And bringing to them something that is this cool — epic — this style of photography is really just starting to take off.”

Rock Creek Ranch was the runner-up in the competition that involved five local businesses and will receive $4,000. Beauty Bar took third place and will get $2,000.

The contestants were judged on their business plans, financial projections and the content and quality of their presentations. The panel included four local judges — Jeff Bailey of FCC (Indiana), Gary Clark of Wheel and Spoke Antique Mall, Tami Vormohr of Farmers State Bank and Kyle Champ of Portland Insurance — and Linda Walczak of Indiana Economic Development Corporation.

Alicea explained during her presentation that she wants to bring dynamic sports photography to her business. The growing concept in photography utilizes various camera lenses, strobe lights, light modifiers and other equipment to create sports portraits.

She said she plans to start with sports, but that the style of portrait photography she’s pursuing can extend to other activities like band, color guard, show choir, etc.

Following her win, Alicea noted that part of her passion for providing dynamic sports photography in Jay County comes from her time working at both the high school and elementary school levels in Jay Schools.

“I love being able to bring that to them,” said Alicea, referencing promotional videos of students taking part in dynamic sports photography sessions. “If you watch those videos and you see the excitement on their faces, that’s what I want to bring to them.”

Runner-up Rock Creek Ranch, owned by Heather McAbee, in southern Jay County was seeking funding to purchase an ultrasound machine and equine rescue first aid kit. She is seeking to expand her business to provide rescue and aid for mares and foals in crisis.

“I do this for the horses,” said McAbee, who also offers artificial insemination for horses and is completing her equine reproductive technician certification. “You will not find a company as dedicated, passionate or invested in their horses as me.”

Lacy Heinrichs of Beauty Bar, Portland, competed in Launch Jay! in order to purchase a salt booth to add services to her business. The booths are used to provide skin and lung therapy.

“We will be able to offer the community easy access to an alternative treatment for skin and respiratory issues,” said Heinrichs.

The other contestants Saturday were The Scoop Station ice cream stand and Ryzone’s food truck.

Business owners who participated in the competition had the opportunity to attend a series of Indiana Small Business Development Center workshops in September in order to prepare for the live pitch competition.