Startup Employing Adults with Special Needs Receives Record Support in National Competition

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Nov. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Dream Big America, the first-ever live nationally syndicated radio show pitting startup business ventures against each other, and broadcast on Doug Stephan's Good Day Show (www.dougstephan.com) each Tuesday at 9:10 am EST, announced today the first startup winner of November is Paper Clouds Apparel (www.PaperCloudsApparel.com) from Phoenix, AZ.

Robert Thornton, Founder of Paper Clouds Apparel, received the highest vote count in the history of Dream Big America. Paper Clouds Apparel takes artwork created by those with special needs and transfers that art to shirts, hats, and bags. Every two weeks Paper Clouds Apparel partners with a different special needs cause and sells products created by their members. Fifty percent of the proceeds go back to the cause. Paper Clouds Apparel hires adults with special needs to package all of their products, oftentimes providing jobs to otherwise unemployed adults.

"This week highlighted three truly inspiring startups," said Doug Stephan, host of Dream Big America. "We are honored to support entrepreneurs that are making a difference in society." 

The contestants for the second week of the November Dream Big America competition were also announced today. This week's competing startups include SHADOW, Nutpods and Bogobrush.

SHADOW, from New York, New York, will be presented by Hunter Lee Soik, the company's Founder and CEO (www.DiscoverSHADOW.com). SHADOW is an innovative alarm clock that helps you remember and record your dreams.

Nutpods, from Irvine, California, will be presented by Madeline Haydon, the company's Founder and CEO (www.Nutpods.com). Nutpods is a portable, wholesome, dairy-free creamer made from almonds and coconuts.

Bogobrush, from Saint Paul, Minnesota will be presented by Heather McDougall, the company's CEO (www.Bogobrush.com). Bogobrush is a beautifully designed, eco-friendly, socially minded bamboo toothbrush. When you buy one, they give one away.

Dream Big America (www.DreamBigAmerica.us) airs each Tuesday at 9:10am to 9:40am EST on Doug Stephan's Good Day Program, syndicated to 485 markets across the United States with a weekly listening audience of 3.5 million. In addition to being broadcast on the radio, the Dream Big America Show can be heard via live podcast on the DreamBigAmerica.us website.

Voting begins immediately after the show at 10:00am EST and continues for 28 hours until 2:00pm EST each Wednesday. Voting is by text (Text DBA to 612-22-DREAM (612-223-7326) once voting is live or via the DreamBigAmerica.us website.

The Dream Big America Show features three entrepreneurs pitching their business ideas for two minutes each, followed by an expert panelist who offers feedback and suggestions. Tapping into the surging entrepreneurial movement spreading across the country, Dream Big America strives to educate and support startups, all while providing an exciting venue for America to choose which new businesses it wants to see hit the market.

Dream Big America partners with the Kansas City-based Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation (www.kauffman.org) and its 1 Million Cups (www.1millioncups.com) startup education program, and the San Diego-based Nutritional Capital Network (www.nutritioncapital.com). Each organization supports the show by providing vetted startup ventures for consideration to the Dream Big America selection committee.

For more information about the Dream Big America competition or to schedule an interview with any of the Dream Big America participants please call Beth Chapman at 816.835.0306 or email her at Email.

Media Contacts:               

Beth Chapman, Dream Big America   
816.835.0306, Email

Barbara Pruitt, Kauffman Foundation
816.932.1288, Email

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SOURCE Dream Big America