For more than ten years, the Business Plan Competition has granted commendable entrepreneurs $10,000 in start-up capital and thousands of dollars’ worth of in-kind services from Chamber members. The Chamber and Southwest Georgia Bank are thrilled to announce 2016 winner, Thressea Boyd, of THBoyd Communications, LLC.

The Southwest Georgia Bank Business Plan Competition began in 2005 with a goal to encourage excellence in the planning stages of new businesses, and to ensure that more of our local businesses succeed. 

“Southwest Georgia Bank was proud to be the sponsor of the 2016 Business Plan Competition. This is our third year of sponsorship, and we are proud to announce that we are committed to sponsor the competition through 2020.  Small businesses are the core of our community and we are glad to be a partner with the Chamber in this competition,” said Senior Vice President of Southwest Georgia Bank, Jud Moritz.

 Winners of the competition must commit to hiring university and technical college graduates in the Valdosta area.  The hope of this competition is to create jobs that keep graduates in Valdosta and Lowndes County.

“Participating in the Southwest Georgia Bank Business Plan Competition provided me with the opportunity to jump-start my business. I relied on the services of both the Small Business Development Center and the Chamber’s SEEDS Business Resource Center in writing my business plan. We are fortunate in this area to have both of these resources available to help small businesses grow and succeed,” said 2016 Winner Thressea Boyd.

The SEEDS Center provides up-to-date information for aspiring entrepreneurs, start-up businesses, existing businesses or individuals searching for custom market data, industry profiles, demographic reports, competitor information, targeted sales leads and much more.  All SEEDS Center Services are free of charge, regardless of Chamber membership.

Though Boyd started her company in 2015, she is no stranger to communications and public relations.  She has more than 22 years of experience in the industry, and held a position at VSU for 17 years.

Boyd’s start up, THBoyd Communications, LLC is an agency that provides public relations, marketing, and publication services to businesses, government agencies, associations, and non-profit organizations.

“I believe everyone has a story to tell, and the mission of THBoyd Communications is to help each client communicate their unique story through a variety of traditional and new communication channels,” said Boyd.  “I have created the company that I have envisioned. I have found what I love to do, and now I want to help others find their vision and tell their story.”

A primary focus of THBoyd Communications will involve producing a business and culture magazine centered on the South Georgia region. The South Georgia Business + Culture Magazine, comprised of editorial content, will serve to create awareness and synergy among South Georgia’s economic impact, business opportunities, entrepreneurship, research and development, and the vibrant cultural growth of the area.