In incredibly talented company at #IgniteBuffalo. The energy here is electric. And all about businesses supporting each other. A very cooperative experience, I’m really, really impressed. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE FINALISTS! Let’s get this party started!

(Hours later…)

Wow. That was quite possibly one of the most inspirational nights I’ve experienced in WNY. (And HWMMS agrees!) The fact that the entire #IgniteBuffalo event (which just gave $1,000,000 in awards out to 27 small businesses!) was planned in 8 months, leaves me in awe. The passion I saw tonight and the cooperative spirit among ALL the finalists warms my heart. I was in happy tears, pretty much all night.

Congratulations to all involved. Especially, my friend Ellen who went way outside of her comfort zone, said YES to the universe and came home with a $25,000 prize for The Flower Stand.

Not gonna lie, it was also VERY COOL to see so many farms on this list.

Now I’m gonna go follow all these finalists on all the social medias so I can make sure to support them in any way I can. (Every RT counts?!)

I’ll post the list of finalists in the comment thread below, seriously check them out. You won’t regret it and TRUST ME you will be hearing a lot more about many of them in the future.

People’s Choice Award Winner. Good God, someone get on a story about her life, stat. Get Fokus’d Productions – you brought down the house.

And to all of you, so, so many of you out there running your own business (or dreaming of running your own business) KUDOS. My GOD it’s hard work. Thank you.

Also, Lloyd Taco Trucks —- I think the statue needs to happen.