Zinn wins 2020 Business Plan Challenge

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Although COVID-19 caused some delays and changes in this year’s Business Plan Challenge, sponsored by the Van Wert Area Economic Development Corporation, Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Van Wert, and Wright State Lake Campus’ Business Development Center, the 2020 event now has a winner.

Audra Zinn, owner of ReLife Holistic Services, was named this year’s winner Thursday after a process that organizers expected to end in March or April, but, like so many other community events and activities, was derailed and delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The announcement was made at The Bachwell Center, where ReLife maintains business space. The winner of the challenge receives $2,000 in reimbursement funds for business expenses, a one-year Chamber membership, and business cards from Burcham Printing. Funding for this year’s program was provided by US Bank, Citizens National Bank, and the Van Wert County Foundation.

Krista Somerton, VWAEDC program manager, said a number of changes had to be made to accommodate the need for social distancing and other coronavirus requirements — which also lengthened the time needed to complete the program.

Normally, those who compete in the program by developing a business plan for their respective companies attend classes provided by WSU-LC’s Business Development Center. This year, though, things happened a little differently.

“Instead of a two-hour class, they (competitors and business advisors) are going back and forth by email,” Somerton said.

She added that judges of this year’s contest — Jenna Dailey, Mark Medford, and Stacy Adam — were impressed with how much work Zinn put into her business plan, which underwent some changes because of the pandemic.

“She had to go through those business classes during the pandemic,” Somerton noted, which lengthened the business plan process from a month or so, to taking most of this year and ending just recently.

Moreover, the pandemic has also resulted in some changes to Zinn’s business model, mostly changing her reliance on on-site classes to providing online classes and off-site services at local businesses.

“I’m appreciative of that evolution,” ReLife’s owner said. “I like being progressive and meeting people where they are.”

ReLife is a business that provides private and group holistic lifestyle classes and services in Van Wert, Lima, Defiance, and Paulding in Ohio, as well as in Fort Wayne and Decatur, Indiana, and also acts as a resource for holistic health practices and strategies throughout each of the communities it serves by organizing and hosting lifestyle and energy work classes, workshops, and esoteric healing sessions for mind, body, and spirit.

Some of the services offered include acupressure, massage, aromatherapy, drumming, reflexology, sound and vibration therapy, crystal therapy, acupuncture, hypnotherapy, guided visualization, and belly dancing classes.

Zinn noted that her stress relief services are especially needed for people who are struggling to deal with effects of the pandemic, both at work and in their personal lives.

ReLife can be contacted at 419.778.9301, with more information available on Facebook at “ReLife Holistic Services”.