Entrepreneur Wins $30,000 with Innovative Business Idea in Onslow County
ONSLOW COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) – On September 17, local entrepreneur Dan Spangler celebrated a major milestone by winning first place and a $30,000 prize for his business, Rinse-A-Poo, at the inaugural North Carolina Small Business Center Network Startup Showdown.
Competing against over 300 applicants statewide, Spangler’s innovative self-cleaning pooper scooper aims to tackle sanitation issues faced by kennels and pet daycare facilities. His concept was inspired by his experience in the commercial pet-care industry.
Throughout his journey, Spangler received support from the Coastal Carolina Community College Small Business Center, which provided entrepreneurship training, counseling, and mentorship as he prepared to pitch his idea to a panel of judges.
David Heatherly, President of Coastal Carolina Community College, expressed pride in Spangler’s achievement, highlighting the courage and perseverance required in entrepreneurship.
Public voting for the competition ran from September 1 to September 15, further engaging the community in supporting local innovation. Spangler remarked, “The Startup Showdown was worth every hour I put into it. The coaching sharpened my pitch, but the real value was the ‘room.’ Between the instructors and the other cohort members, I was asked questions that made my product better.”
This award marks a significant step for Spangler as he moves forward with his business endeavors.
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