More than 100 potential entrepreneurs gathered in person and online Tuesday night to learn about planning a successful small business. The “VIP: Very Important Planning Small Business Academy,” presented by the Ohio Small Business Development Centers at Rhodes State College, is a six-week business development educational series.

For the past 20 years, the Walter C. Potts Entrepreneur Center has helped individuals with dreams of owning their own businesses take steps toward turning those ideas into reality.

Dozens of businesses set up booths to network and raise awareness of their brands. Organizers said the event provided an opportunity for businesses to connect with the community and each other.

For 10 years, MakerFest has connected high school students with local companies and career paths they might not see in a traditional classroom.

“He hears people ask, ‘Why Lima?’ when it comes to starting or growing a business,” Justin said. “And he replies, ‘Why not Lima?’” He says the community has been good to both his family and the company, and he encourages others to take a chance on the region.

The Walter C. Potts Entrepreneur Center, in collaboration with the Ohio Small Business Development Center at Rhodes State College and the Lima Area Chamber Foundation, hosted the 2025 PITCHFEST on May 13 at the Borra Center in downtown Lima.

“We challenged our senior DECA members to create micro business plans,” Gipson said. “We presented them to ‘sharks’ who approved the ideas, and then we turned them into real products—like dog treats, hair combs, car air fresheners—and sold them at the event to the community.”

This evening, the Delphos Area Chamber of Commerce and Lehmann’s Furniture held an open house to showcase the newly developed Lehmann’s Plaza to the public.