LiftOff Houston propels business startup to success

By: Pearl Cajoles

When Megan Eddings joined the LiftOff Houston Start-Up Business Plan Competition in 2017, she came with big dreams and very little experience as an entrepreneur.

“I had never written a business plan before, and I didn’t even know where to begin," Eddings said. "But, after all the classes and workshops offered by the program, I advanced to the final round and won $10,000."

With a solid business plan and an impressive product, judges chose Eddings as the first place winner in the competition's product category. Her company, Accel Lifestyle , offers odor- and bacteria - resistant fitness apparel made from fabric she invented using her background as a chemist.

Three years after her win, Accel Lifestyle is still in an upward trajectory. Already with a succesful online shop pre-COVID at accellifestyle.com, Eddings expanded her product in March to include bacteria-resistant face masks.

After creating her first prototype, she has since sold tens of thousands of face masks to area hospitals and other corporate clients. The masks are also available for purchase on her website.

On Saturday, Nov. 7 from 11 a.m. - 1p.m., nine budding entrepreneurs with big dreams like Eddings will present their business plans during LiftOff Houston's Pitch Day, which will be held virtually for the first time. Finalists will compete in the three category areas of product, service, and innovation, with one winner in each category winning $10,000 toward making their dreams of business ownership become a reality.

Sponsored by Capital One Bank and administered by the Houston Public Library (HPL) and the Office of Business Opportunity (OBO), LiftOff Houston has awarded more than $210,000 in start-up capital to aspiring small business owners in Houston.

“I invite everyone to join us on Pitch Day,” said OBO Director Marsha E. Murray. "Each year, I am inspired by the unique stories and entrepreneurial spirit of our contestants."

To join Pitch Day, go to www. eventbrite.com/e/2020-lift-off-houston-pitch-day-tickets-124337485767?aff=ebdssbonline-search. Pitch Day will also be streamed live at facebook.com/liftoffhouston.