BatchBlue Software 2011 Super Hero Contest Winners

As the entries for the 4th Annual BatchBlue Super Hero Contest rolled in, we were reminded again of just how amazing small business owners really are! We love stories of entrepreneurs chasing their dreams (some as far as Argentina & Japan)! Just like in previous years, there were so many great entries it was hard to pick winners. But, we did it, and we're happy to introduce them to you!

Our grand prize winner receives:


Thanks to everyone who entered. If you didn't win this year, please try again next. In the meantime, keep up the super work!

Grand Prize Winner:
Yoga Sherpa
Bear Peterson

Our Grand Prize winner, Yoga Sherpa, is an online travel agency that helps Yoga teachers take their students on international adventures. The BatchBlue staff loves adventures, and we loved Bear's great sense of humor! (Not just anyone can wear snakes on their head!)

Tell Us A Little Bit About What Your Company Does And What Services You Provide:

Yoga Sherpa is an online travel agency that helps teachers plan international wellness vacations for their students. We provide a marketing, administrative, and travel platform to make the trip planning process as smooth as possible for teachers and their students.

How Did You Get Started?

My parents encouraged me to travel as much as possible growing up. As a student I focused on international relations and business administration at Middlebury College and then Tulane University. I also worked for Rustic Pathways organizing community service and adventure travel trips in the Himalaya Mountains, Mexico, and New Orleans for a few years. After business school, I wanted to start a triple bottom line company that met the following 3 criteria: 1) It was an industry in which I had experience. 2) It represented an attractive growth opportunity. 3) It was something that I would enjoy doing every day.

How Long Have You Been In Business And How Many Employees Do You Currently Have?

Yoga Sherpa was founded in 2010. Right now it is a one man circus, but I am looking to bring in a few more jugglers under the tent by the end of 2011.

What Is Your Target Audience?

Yoga Sherpa markets to yoga teachers and studio owners in the U.S. and Canada. The teachers then market our group retreats to their students. Currently, about 20 million people practice yoga in the U.S. and are part of the Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability demographic (LOHAS).

How Does Your Company Stay Connected With Clients And Your Business Community?

Yoga Sherpa stays connected with our customers via conferences, phone calls, email, newsletters, social media, and dropping into studios as much as possible just to say hi. We also will treat studio owners or teachers to a yoga class and free lunch if they are ever passing through New Orleans.

Can You Offer Any Advice For Anyone Else Looking To Start Their Own Company?

Make sure you have the right team and the appropriate type of funding when you get started. Hang out with other entrepreneurs, ask them questions when you are dealing with an issue outside of your comfort zone, and help others out as you go along. Be ready to work hard and have fun with it.

Is There Anything Else You Would Like To Add?

Treat all of your stakeholders well, not just your shareholders. This includes your customers, employees, the community where you operate, the environment, and your investors. This will help you be profitable and sustainable over the long term.

Second Prize Winner:
When I Grow Up Coach!
Michelle Ward

Michelle Ward, the "When I grow Up Coach", inspired us with her enthusiasm. We love that she is out there helping folks make their career dreams come true!

Tell Us A Little Bit About What Your Company Does And What Services You Provide:

I'm the When I Grow Up Coach! I've worked with over 100 creative types to help them devise a career they think they can't have - or discover it to begin with. It's amazeballs.

How Did You Get Started?

From age 6-26, I dreamed of being a Broadway Baby, & it took me places (NYU, SNL, a cruise ship) - until I realized that it wasn't what I wanted to be when I grew up. Not willing to settle on an unpassionate (it ain't a word, but I’m using it anyways) career, I dug deep to find my strengths/interests & discovered life coaching.

It took me 2 years & 7 months, but I got certified, built my biz, & left my day job in Corporate America in Mar 2010. It's been 14 months & I have a consistent 4+ week wait list, a literary agent, have made the same salary I did in my corporate gig for my first full year of self-employment, & have worked with over 100 creative types single-handedly.

How Long Have You Been In Business And How Many Employees Do You Currently Have?

I've been training my whole life to be a coach. My communication skills, my enthusiasm and sense of humor, my desire to help people find their passion, and my people-loving-personality makes this the role that I was born to play. I started coaching in Late 2007/early 2008, established When I Grow Up Coach as an LLC in January 2010 I'm still a solopreneur, but work with my staff (like a PR rep, a Virtual Assistant, a web developer, a designer) on a consulting basis.

What Is Your Target Audience?

If you...
...find yourself saying, "I don't know what I wanna be when I grow up - but I know this ain't it!"
...know what you wanna be when you grow up - and maybe have even started working towards it in a tangible way but you don't see how it can actually happen in your "grown-up" life
...identify with being called "creative", even if you're not an artist in any way
...aren't scared by positive energy and/or the word "amazeballs"
...feel that it's more powerful to find your own answers and follow your own path, rather than have someone tell you what to do based on their experiences
...then you're my peeps!

How Does Your Company Stay Connected With Clients And Your Business Community?

The Interwebs, mostly.Twitter, Facebook, Mailchimp, YouTube, Pinterest, blogging....you name it, I probably have a home there.

Can You Offer Any Advice For Anyone Else Looking To Start Their Own Company?

I just read the quote recently (I forget who to credit it to), If you strive to reach everyone, you're aiming for mediocrity. Don't be scared to seek out and tailor your business to the people you work best with. Embrace your uniqity (yes, blue hair can still be professional) and find your tribe. Not only will you love working with them, but they'll get the best results from working with you (and sing your praises from there!).

Is There Anything Else You Would Like To Add?

I LOVE Batchbook (even if I didn't win this at all. I love you regardless)!

Third Prize Winner:
SASS Global Travel
Lucas Moore

SASS Global Travel won us over with their unique destinations and their dream-chasing courage. Lucas was on a mission to leave his safe job and start an international action sports travel company.

Tell Us A Little Bit About What Your Company Does And What Services You Provide:

SASS Global Travel was formed by a group of like-minded individuals with a mission to create a community of passionate action sports travelers. Whether its finding the perfect backcountry powder line with a pro coach or an undiscovered point break with the best local guides, SGT creates life-changing adventures around the world. With education and personal development forming the cornerstone of our corporate values, SGT clients can find themselves earning credits in the field with Sierra Nevada College professors or participating in an AIARE avalanche safety course led by world-renowned international guides. Simply, SGT trips combine unparalleled access with the best locations, people, education and professionals. This is all brought to market in a clean, powerful online package backed by industry-leading technology, customer support and a world-class media team.

How Did You Get Started?

We started with South America Snow Sessions running a skiing, and snowboarding backcountry training down in Argentina for 7 years and felt as though we could replicate the experience all over the world.

How Long Have You Been In Business And How Many Employees Do You Currently Have?

South America Snow Sessions has been around for 7 years, The New Company SASS Global Travel has been around for the last 2 years. There are 5 of us that keep the office running all year round. That number Swells to 20 as we move the office down to Bariloche Argentina during their Winter Season to run our backcountry Camp.

What Is Your Target Audience?

Our Target Audience is 18-35 Males and Females interested in progressing in skiing, snowboarding, and surfing and developing friendships with other like minded people.

How Does Your Company Stay Connected With Clients And Your Business Community?

Mailchimp, Facebook, Twitter, linkedin, our blog, and using many other social media avenues.

Can You Offer Any Advice For Anyone Else Looking To Start Their Own Company?

I know that it sounds cheesy, but find out what you love to do, share it with others, and just jump. It's amazing what you can accomplish when you are passionate about what you do and are up against the wall.