By Stephen Smoot, The Shinnston News and Harrison County Journal
A contest once seen as using a popular television show format to spur entrepreneurship has grown into much more in recent years. Somewhere along the way, the contest evolved in only three years into not simply a way to reward great ideas, but a celebration of entrepreneurship itself.
Although organized by the Harrison County Chamber of Commerce and supported throughout the county, the Chamber last March announced that the contest would welcome “all small business entrepreneurs in North Central West Virginia who have been in business for two years or less.”
Organizers follow the format of the popular television program “Shark Tank” as much as is practical. On television, successful corporation owners evaluate pitches and then craft bids to work with those whose ideas they favor. Those include Kevin “Mr. Wonderful” O’Leary, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, Barbara Corcoran, and other modern captains of industry.
The concept originated in Japan as “the Tigers of Money,” then aired in Great Britain as “Dragons’ Den.” To avoid copyright scuffles, the Chamber named it the “Tank Entrepreneurship Contest.”
Celebrating entrepreneurship and recognizing the sacrifices made in search of success served as the mission of the contest. Harrison County’s Chamber of Commerce turned it into an exciting, must attend, event.
Small groups and individuals dressed to party in sophisticated style flocked under cool November night skies to the lit up historic Robinson Grand Theater in Clarksburg. Attendees filled row after row of seats as they awaited the program.
Image courtesy of Shinnston News and Harrison County Journal