Anyone Can Dream
Woohoo! Hot House Project Season 3 has concluded last Tuesday, April 27th at the Windmill Gardens.
Last year, I applied for this startup mentorship program by the local council, City of Melton. I had an old business Gmail I haven’t opened for a long time. Thankfully, I saw the newsletter of Venture Melton. I thought the Hot House Project is a great opportunity to be in. I have been longing to meet people in business. I want to learn more from them. If I get in, I need to commit to complete the sessions and be mentored by four business experts from NOW. It’s a sure win-win, I thought.
All this time, I researched a lot and did things by myself. I learned to bake and design on my own. But for a long time, I have this business idea and I just can’t seem to let it ‘fly’. So this self-proclaimed DIY queen got stuck. I want to do more, and work smarter. I believe if you want to be better in what you do, go get coached, and ask help from the experts. So I went for it. I pitched my idea in November and What Tess Makes got in. Hooray for me.
I met the mentors (Gus, Hannah, Jordy and Thomas), Christine of Venture Melton, and the rest of the participants in December. Such a great precursor dinner. After that, there were 8 masterclasses to attend and on the 9th, it was the finale - a graduation night plus the final pitch. There were 3 grants at stake. Win or lose, I got the education already. Anyway, I had to prepare for 3 weeks or so for the big night. All of us need to come up with an exhibit stall. I have only styled dessert tables and lolly buffet in the past, not a market stall setup. But there can always be a first try, right? Frankly, it turned out well. Am so glad that my niece came, straight from work, and assisted me. Thank God for her, we finished on time.
That night, there were 8 presenters. I was pitching last. Oh my nerves! I think I gobbled up an entire taro chip and roasted walnut cookie. I was smiling but nervous. When it was my turn, all I can hear in my head was Donna Summer’s Last Dance. Or it could have been Irene Cara’s What A Feeling, because I was really ‘dancing for my life’. The pitch lasted 3 minutes. I was ‘gonged’ for talking longer than allowed. I can reveal that Filipinos get possessed when they are given a microphone. The after-effect of too much karaoke nights.
I stand here for creativity and pushing forward our passions at any age and whatever stage we are in our lives.
I am glad I have met all these wonderful people. My classmates are all supportive. We gave each other tips, lots of advice and recipes - not just for success, but actual recipes we can eat. I am sure what I found here are friendships and hopefully, we get to see each other soon.
The night was packed plus the food was great, but I just can’t eat anymore until it came down to the announcement of awards. We were all waiting for that. How exciting! So here are the winners. Drum roll please >>>
Grand Prize - Pearl (Moui Produce)
Impact Prize - Rekha (Ha! Naturely)
Adaptable Prize - Tess (What Tess Makes)
I can’t believe it when my name was called. It was like winning a beauty contest, only heaps better. So grateful here. Everyone gave their best shot, so anyone deserves to win really. Check out the photos here for all the excitement that night.
What a night! (And what a long post) There is so much to share. Thank you, Melton Council, Venture Melton, NOW, past Hot Housers, judges, and all who were involved in the program. I appreciate you all. I think this is a wonderful initiative for resident engagement. It only took a newsletter to get me out of self-containment. I am so happy and convinced that continuous learning and involvement are important here for the growth of both people and council.. I will absolutely help spread the word for Season 4.
If you have that business dream, Mamas, take the chance. If I can do it, so can you. Season 4 is coming in September. Let’s go, grow, glow.
❤❤❤
Tess xx
