Week Three & Week Four: Crimson Entrepreurship Academy

These weeks have been pivotal for Refraction. I've accepted my first events, signed on with a commissary, and have submitted my paperwork to the Tuscaloosa County Health Department. I'm so excited to start sharing my business with the world.

Accepting Events. When I am looking for events, there are a couple things that I make sure align with my brand. They should focus on creating local community, bring people together, and support those who don't normally have the option to drink mocktails. That's why I'm so excited to add these events to my calendar - they are focused on support, meaningfulness, and fun!

The Mountain. My biggest challenge has been aligning my needs with a kitchen and the health department so that I can ensure my product is safe for my customers. I'm excited to be working with Sweet Home Nutrition, a location which for six years has been paving the way in the beverage market in Tuscaloosa. With their experience in health and wellness, and mine in events, we'll make a great team that complements each other's passions.

From here, the health department has 30 days to review my plan. Then, they'll send in an inspector and issue a permit. This means that I can expect to begin booking events for the end of August!

Thank you to the Academy. The Crimson Entrepreneurship Academy has many bright minded thinkers who are not only willing to help my business thrive, but I can also bond with them and encourage them in their business pursuits. From orthopedic shoes to antioxidant chewing gum, and from swim schools for disabled children to cinnamon rolls, there are a wide variety of student businesses enabled by The EDGE that have been instrumental in giving me the confidence to pursue my dream. I can only hope that I can give back a fraction of the optimism they've given me.

What's next? Furthering my customer discovery by talking to more potential customers, and having my first event with the Tuscaloosa Margarita Festival. Stay tuned for the future of Refraction!