Win This Space Competition...and the winner is?

And to think...this all started only 4 short months ago!

After months of training and developing their unique business plans, a field of 28 "Win This Space" contestants has finally been narrowed down to the top five. These aspiring entrepreneurs will now vie, Dragon Den Style, for a Grand Prize valued at close to $18,000 on Saturday, June 27th at the Seaforth Golf Club and you are invited to attend the Finale!

Judges: Left to right - Chris Lee, Maureen Agar, Cathy Elliott, Alison Lobb, Brenda Campbell, Neil Tam, Jan Hawley (Absent: Paul Nichol)

I can honestly tell you, this was no easy task for the contestants or the eight judges, who spent hours deliberating over the submissions. However, there can only be one WINNER, and after the FINALE this Saturday, we will finally know, who will open the next new storefront, in either Brussels or Seaforth, both located in the Municipality of Huron East.

Since so many have been following this for months, we are opening the event up to the public. So we encourage you to join us Saturday night starting at 7:00 pm for an exciting, and I expect, very entertaining evening, while we celebrate small business in Rural Ontario.

Place: Seaforth Golf Club, 42990 Front Rd. Seaforth ON N0K 1W0 519.527.0985

Time: Doors Open at 6:30 pm & Presentations at 7:15 pm

Admission: No Charge - Just bring your enthusiasm as we celebrate small business enterprise in Huron County.

Here is a snapshot of the five finalists and our Win This Space sponsors, who without their support, this would never have happened.

Finalists (In random order):

• 
  

  Tara Finnigan and Cara Wicke, Local Organics Health Food & Wellness Centre

  
  A wellness centre providing the highest quality, fresh and natural food, health and wellness products as well as wellness services from health practitioners and educational workshops.
• 
  

  Geraldine (Gerrie) Huenemoerder, Local Artescape

  
  

  An art gallery featuring Avelina Jewelry, designed by the owner, and arts and crafts by Canadian artists and designers.

• 
  

  Kaleda Connell, Degree Fitness

  
  An all inclusive, training facility featuring functional fitness.

• 
  

  Trina O'Rourke, Cotton Harvest Quilt Shop

  
  A place where beautiful fabrics and stunning quilt samples, accented by antiques, invite quilters to indulge their creative side.
• 
  

  Brittany Williams, Grounded Cafe

  
  A coffee house cafe/ bistro style serving gourmet coffees & simple pastries.

Sponsors:

Municipality of Huron East Economic Development Department

County of Huron

Small Business Enterprise Centre

Huron Business Development Corporation

Seaforth & Brussels Community Development Trust

Seaforth Business Improvement Area

CKNX - Blackburn Radio

The Beach 104.9

Prize Package:

Huron Business Development Corporation

The Grand Prize Winner of WIN THIS SPACE will receive from HBDC, an average of 1 hour per week of small business mentoring and advisory services for a period of 52 weeks. This counselling will cover all general aspects of operating a small business including: marketing, accounting, business planning, human resources, guidance on rules and regulations, and etc. Advanced needs such as material about small business income tax requirements and such will be referred to specialists and professionals, who may charge for their services.

Edifice Atelier

Edifice Atelier, Vintage Home Charm Television and Rediscovering Canada Television will provide the winner of "Win This Space" a weekly graphic (recipient must provide images) media blast on our social media pages for three weeks. As well Edifice Atelier and Rediscovering Canada will provide a *15 second commercial spot on "Edifice Atelier's Heritage Places - Cardno Hall episode" to promote your business during broadcast of this episode for two weeks (approximately 100,000 plus viewers).

* 15 second spot will be composed of still shots or stock footage. This does not include on site shooting. Music and voiceover will be included, however is not licensed to the recipient of this commercial spot.

Tuckersmith Communications Co-operative

Two gift certificates of $100 each valid toward any Tuckersmith Communications monthly bill, retail item or cellular device.

The Edge of Walton Challenge Course

Precision Print Inc.

Located just off Courthouse Square in Goderich, Precision Print has been in business for over 25 years serving Huron, Perth and Bruce Counties. They will provide the winner of Win This Space with innovative printing, signs & displays and the services of a graphic designer to help create a lasting impression for their new business.

Located in the heart of Seaforth's Business District, Artech Signs and Graphics is offering a gift certificate entitling the winner of Win This Space to $100 worth of services towards signage, vehicle graphics or website design.

Custom Embroidery N' Sew On

Owned by Kevin Soehner, and located just off of the Square in the Town of Goderich on South Street, "N Sew On" is offering a gift certificate to the winner of Win This Space for custom embroidered items, screen prints, vinyl and custom promotional items.

Small Business Enterprise Centre

The Huron Small Business Enterprise Centre is offering to the winner of Win This Space a Fall Pass to its Huron Better Business Workshop Series.