It's an exciting day in Sudbury for a local entrepreneur.
The winner of a contest to encourage business activity in the downtown was announced, and that means free rent on a storefront for a year.
This year’s winner of Dowtown Sudbury Business Improvement Association’s ‘Win This Space’ contest is Starlotte Dresen, the owner of Starlotte Satine Vintage.
“Sudbury hasn't had a vintage clothing store in almost 10 years now, so it just came from a need of wanting it and then actually having it. Without this contest, it's really hard t,o as a new business owner, to just start these sorts of things.” said Dresen.
The grand prize is a package totaling almost $50,000, including a one-year lease of up to $15,000 located in downtown Sudbury.
“Small businesses are the heart of our community and the more we can create, the better, regardless of where they are located. Obviously, we would love to see them downtown and that's why the Downtown Business Association sponsors this. The problem we have this year, is we are running out of space, street-front retail. So, we are going to look at something new for next year.” said Downtown Sudbury Board Chair Jeff MacIntyre.
There were 19 entries in this year’s competition.
All of the entrepreneurs take part in workshops to build solid business plans and finalists pitch them to a panel of judges.
Maureen Luoma is the Executive Director of the Downtown Sudbury BIA.
“The program is really developed to help the applicants. It's great to have an idea of what you would like to do, it's another thing to actually bring it to reality and realize all the different things you need to know to make a business happen.” said Luoma.
This year’s winner says the process helps new business startups build a strong foundation.
“Throughout that process, we have learned marketing, financials, we had to pitch to a panel of city judges, which I think was the most terrifying thing I have ever had to do.” said Dresen.
She hopes to open up her vintage store in the downtown core in the New Year.
