They all have stories.
Reasons they’re pitching their ideas to thousands of strangers over the next week.
Tie Cooper and Meka Sims are sisters trying to launch a health-oriented brand of skin and hair-care products, a couple of years after their aunt passed away from cancer.
Nicholas Martin is a junior at The Episcopal School of Jacksonville and the youngest entrant into science category. He’s presenting his science fair project about wind energy and is seeking enough to at least cover a trip to Houston, where he’s been invited to present in a nationwide science fair.
And Bruce Doueck, a recently retired JEA manager, is acting as a conduit for a group trying to connect people to culture through streaming TV.
Each was one of dozens Monday who made their way to the Main Library to register their products and ideas for One Spark, the five-day crowdfunding festival returning Downtown from Wednesday-Sunday. More than 600 creators are expected
Cooper and Sims have spent almost two years developing their all natural, organic wares. One Spark, they said, is a platform to spread the word about their goals. They’ll be stationed in a business of a similar ilk — Diversions, a relaxation gift store, at 201 N. Laura St.
“It’s our launch of everything,” said Sims. “We’re jumping out on faith. That’s our motivator.”
Cooper is an esthetician and developed the skin care products, while Sims has focused on the hair care. They are seeking $50,000 for more research, branding and even funds toward a spa or shop.
Martin isn’t seeking as much — $1,500 or “just anything I can get would be great.”
For two years now he’s worked on the project, which uses small-scale piezoelectric wind energy to power sensors in “off the grid” locations — places like national parks or country borders. The sensors could then alert officials of dangers such as forest fires or movements along country lines.
The money he collects would go toward travel expenses to Texas this month to take part in the International Sustainable World Energy Engineering and Environment Project Olympiad. Before that, though, he heads to Lakeland today for the State Science and Engineering Fair before coming back to Jacksonville for One Spark.
He’ll be presenting on the first floor of the Jacksonville Landing, the same locale where TVHomesite will be throughout the festival.
Doueck’s brother-in-law is part of the group seeking investors for its product: TV that would connect cultures through the web.
The country is filled with immigrants, many of whom might have language barriers and want to see their broadcasts and shows from back home. It also can appeal to those curious about other cultures.
There with domestic potential “cluttered” in lawsuits between media companies, the idea is to start global on an “outside-in” model.
He calls himself the “Jacksonville feet on the ground” for the product and connected the group to One Spark after he saw firsthand the festival’s potential last year. It’s been tested he said, but just needs some financial backing — an early placeholder figure of $10 million has been mentioned.
“They want to take it from this great idea into reality,” he said. “It works. Now they need to commercialize it.”
Opening ceremonies for One Spark are at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, with closing ceremonies slated for 5 p.m. Sunday.
In between, the three creators, along with hundreds others, will tell their stories and dreams in hopes of receiving the financial and supportive backing they need in helping them become a reality.
@writerchapman
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