VAN WERT – Thursday afternoon at the Blackwell Center, the economic development of the Van Wert region honored the winner of the annual Business Plan Challenge – Audra Zinn, owner of ReLife Holistic Services.
ReLife offers private and group holistic lifestyle classes and services. Services offered include massage, aromatherapy, sound and vibration therapy, drums, reflexology, crystal therapy, acupressure, acupuncture, hypnotherapy, guided visualization, belly dancing, and more. The company also offers natural health products.
The pandemic has definitely thrown an adjustable wrench in the work, according to Krista Somerton, program manager at Van Wert Area Economic Development. Somerton said classes offered to those taking the challenge started in person, but had to switch to face-to-face in-person and email. “It was supposed to be in March and April and we just finished it,” she said. “Instead of a two hour class, they come and go by email.”
Zinn said his plan was to reach out to the community and provide services that many may need, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are reaching out to the community to continue to provide the holistic services and classes we’ve always offered. But, in addition to working in the studio space and doing these classes and services privately, we’re also focusing on openness with online courses and services to businesses and their employees during our stressful time right now. ” She noted that this even included those who worked from home.
Somerton said they were impressed with Zinn’s efforts on the project. “She worked really hard,” Somerton said. “She had to take those business classes during the pandemic. The judges were really impressed.”
This year, the winner receives a refund of $ 2,000, free Chamber membership and business cards from Burcham Printing. The money came from the US Bank, Citizen’s Bank and the Van Wert County Foundation.
Zinn said that after she finished class she was still working on a plan to use the money. “I am dedicated to directing the money to how best to serve the community as a whole,” Zinn said. “It’s a lot of thought on my part.” She noted that her business model had to change. “I appreciate this development. I like being progressive and meeting people where they are,” she said. She added that this opened her business to online courses. “I think employers really see the benefit of their employees who need this stress relief and then come together even while they’re on the clock.” She added that the employees felt appreciated and had the opportunity to relax together.
The judges this year were Jenna Dailey, Mark Medford and Stacy Adam.
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