Business Plan Competition Winners

First Place

Ascend Contractor Solutions, LLC is the first-place winner of the $40,000 cash prize from the competition. Husband and wife team, Heath and Ashlee Miller are both proud ASU Alumni who started a landscaping business during college and continued it after graduating. After almost 30 years of operation it has now expanded into offering a multitude of exterior services and construction services to commercial clients in the Concho Valley and West Texas. Keep an eye out for their brand-new parking lot sweeper!

Second Place

Wilde Engineering and Surveying, a locally-owned engineering firm, won 2nd place and a $20,000 prize in the San Angelo Business Plan Competition. Blake and Erica Wilde worked with the advising team and students from the Norris Vincent College of Business to draft a quality business plan that focuses on their expansion plans. The funds will significantly contribute to the growth of Wilde Engineering and Surveying. The funds will facilitate a physical office expansion and the hiring of new staff, enhancing both their business capacity and local employment opportunities. As a family-owned firm catering to rural markets, its success showcases the potential of local businesses in driving community development.

Third Place

Bubba D’s Barbecue LLC is the third-place winner of the 2023 Business Plan Competition, earning them a $10,000 cash prize and in-kind professional marketing services. Austen Dillard, the founder and owner, always enjoyed grilling and using his family’s old barbecue sauce recipe to add the finishing touch. This inspired him to start his business, which also includes two additional barbecue sauce flavors – Texas Mustard and Fire Habanero – and an All-Purpose Seasoning. One year later, Bubba D’s products can be found in retail outlets including Eggemeyer’s General Store, Westlake Ace Hardware, Mr. Boots, Mardi Gras Liquor, and Lone Star Liquor. Bubba D’s Barbecue continues working to establish more retail partnerships and hopes to be in a grocery store near you soon!

First Place

Plateau Brewing Company is the first-place winner of the $40,000 cash prize. Ross and his partners opened up the brewery in the fall of 2021 and have been incredibly successful since then. Located downtown, they are the perfect place to enjoy local craft beer and hang out with friends and family on the weekends.

Second Place

Reyes Diesel Service received the second-place award in the competition. Guadalupe and Patricia are a husband and wife team that opened up the business in 2011 and are looking forward to expanding it soon. Be on the lookout for their new location!

Third Place

Another husband and wife team, Nathaniel and Kimberly Turney, from Bearded Barista were awarded third place. They offer a fresh take on coffee with a custom roast. Along with amazing coffee, they have a laid-back environment at the Bearded Barista that sets the tone for everything from a great coffee get-together to a study group, business meeting, or even a late jam session with live music.

First Place
Cowboy Up Chocolates owned by Misty Mullin is the first place winner of the $40,000 cash prize for the San Angelo Business Plan Competition. Misty and her husband, Charles, recently relocated their business to a beautiful storefront in the historic downtown San Angelo area. Stop in for a sweet treat! Their specialty chocolates make for great gifts.

Second Place
Second place was awarded to Tim Condon, owner of Lonestar Cheeseburger Company. He and his team are committed to their mission of creating and serving the best burgers in town. Consider Lonestar Cheeseburger a cutting-edge restaurant on wheels.

Third Place
Bryan Abernathy of Medical Arts Pharmacy was awarded third place in the 2021 Competition. He and his family have been a staple of quality customer services in the health care industry. You can visit them in person for all of your prescription needs. And if you can’t get to them, they will deliver the meds right to you.

First Place
San Angelo To Go, a food delivery company in San Angelo, won the top prize of $40,000 in cash. San Angelo To Go was established in 2015 and is owned and operated by Carson Beavers, Preston Wimberly and Cameron Jenkins.

Second Place
The second-place prize of $20,000 was awarded to Texas-Australia Rock Company, LLC, a new business that reconstitutes limestone product for construction projects of all sizes. Texas-Australia Rock Company is owned and operated by father and son Johnny and Brian Barge, and Australian associate Jim Fletcher.

Third Place
Third-place winner Netco Fire & Safety will use its $10,000 prize to grow its operations. Formerly known as Texas Fire Extinguisher and Services, new owners Shannon Kendall and Justin Doss will be inspecting, servicing and selling portable fire extinguishers. They also plan to inspect and service kitchen hood systems.

First Place
J Bar Meats was announced as the 1st place winner for a $40,000 cash prize plus in-kind awards.

Second Place
Ranch Road Boots was announced as the 2nd place winner for a $20,000 cash prize plus in-kind awards.

Third Place
Old Central Firehouse Pizzeria & Tap Room was announced as the 3rd place winner for a $10,000 cash prize plus in-kind awards.

First Place
Carl and Amy Perez, the owners of Rock Your World Decorative Concrete were named the 2018 Business Plan Competition winner, garnering a $50,000 cash prize. Rock Your World Decorative Concrete will produce and manufacture decorative rock panels, made from a formula lighter than concrete but just as durable.

First Place
HR Onboarding - Brent Jameson

Second Place
Moontime - Chelsea Waldrop

Third Place
Longhorn Coffee Company - Scott and Laurie Deckers

First Place
OdomRD Dietitian Consultants

Second Place
Concho Valley Tactical Supply