Jewelry Artist Angela Lensch is Business Plan Contest Winner

Door County, WI – The Door County Economic Development Corporation, in association with the UW-Green Bay Small Business Development Center, announced today that Angela Lensch, artist and owner of the Angela Lensch Jewelry and Fine Art Gallery opening spring 2014 in Egg Harbor, is the winner of the $1,000 cash award for the best business plan originating from the 12th annual Door County Entrepreneurial Training Program course conducted earlier this year.

Angela Lensch is a 2001 graduate from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, receiving a BFA with a double major in Sculpture and Furniture Design. In March of 2002, she moved to Door County, where she immersed herself within the local art community, participating in dozens of art shows and showcasing art work in several galleries throughout the county. For the past five years her studio has been located at Plum Bottom Pottery, a fine art gallery south of Egg Harbor, where her handmade jewelry was also featured and sold. With over 10 years of experience as a professional artist in Door County, Lensch has established a credible reputation as an artist in the community.

Lensch focused her business plan on growing her business through the establishment of her own studio and gallery, to be called Angela Lensch Jewelry and Fine Art Gallery, located at 7653 State Highway 42, on the south end of the Village of Egg Harbor, WI. “After eleven years of experience being a studio artist in Door County,” said Lensch, “I have acquired professional experience, created an honorable reputation and established a consistent market to take the next step of owning my own fine art gallery.” The new studio and gallery will feature Lensch’s proven core product of hand-made, woven jewelry, and will début her new line of mosaic artwork, including new styles of jewelry, mandalas, and indoor and outdoor sculptures.

Angela Lensch was among eleven students representing start-up or existing local businesses in the class sponsored by DCEDC and the SBDC. The eight-week course covered such topics as Research, Marketing, Organizational Matters, Financial Planning and Projections and Managing Growth, and culminated with each of the participants writing a comprehensive business plan. This was the twelfth year DCEDC has co-sponsored and offered the Entrepreneurial Training Program course in Door County.

“Angela wrote a thorough, well-written plan, focused on growing her business to the next level” said DCEDC Executive Director Bill Chaudoir. “All of the people who participated in the class are really winners, however. By taking the time to learn the skills of business planning, they have each greatly improved their chances of succeeding in whatever business venture they decide to pursue now or in the future.”

The $1000 award was generously sponsored by Associated Bank, Baylake Bank and FirstMerit Bank. The award is to be used for business expansion expenses. The Entrepreneurial Training Program course will again be offered in Door County beginning in January/February 2014. Contact the Door County Economic Development Corporation for information about the class.

The Door County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) is a public/private partnership dedicated to improving the economic vitality of the county and its residents. Founded in 1989, DCEDC has been successful in helping existing businesses create and retain thousands of jobs through a myriad of programs and initiatives. Additionally, DCEDC places strong emphasis on fostering entrepreneurial instincts in county residents as well as those who vacation on the Door County Peninsula. Door County Economic Development Corporation offices are located within the small business incubator DCEDC founded in 1997 at 185 East Walnut Street in the Sturgeon Bay Industrial Park.