HOPE, AR – The Division of Industry Outreach & Continuing Education held a graduation ceremony and feasibility plan competition for the participants of Operation JumpStart Class 3. Operation JumpStart is a 6 week training to help persons become successful business owners and operators. Throughout the training, experts in business plan development, marketing, and legal aspects of business ownership presented key information to the class. This also allowed the participants to ask questions specific to their potential business.
The winners for OJS Class 3 were James and Rita Lamb for their plan entitled “Southwest Arkansas Beekeeping Supplies.” The Lambs sell multiple products ranging from scented candles, candies, and soaps (just to name a few) using honey and wax from their own bee farm! The Lambs received the grand prize of $1,200 toward the costs of the development of their business, courtesy of a donation from the U of A Hope & Texarkana Foundation.
The mission of Operation JumpStart is to educate, empower, and provide business development opportunities that support the growth of strong and effective microenterprises. Program is funded in part by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and provided by the help of the Arkansas Women’s Business Center, a Project of Winrock International and the U.S. Small Business Administration.
We are very proud of the Lambs and wish them the best in their future plans!
Picture Left to right: James Lamb, Kathryn Hopkins, and Rita Lamb
