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“What’s the Big Idea?” kickstarting local businesses

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Published on Wednesday, October 17, 2018

By Kira Paterson

Neepawa Banner & Press

It’s that time of year again; local entrepreneurs have the opportunity to build their business with the help of the fourth annual What’s the Big Idea? event. Neepawa’s Economic Development Officer (EDO) Marilyn Crewe is here to help anyone who thinks they have the next big idea.

The Economic Development Office, located at the Town of Neepawa Office, is open to anyone in the Neepawa area who has a business idea or has already started their business and needs some help to get things on the right track. “My position is all about supporting businesses that are in Neepawa and encouraging new businesses to be in our community,” says Crewe. Many of the entrepreneurs who come to her with a business idea are looking for a grant to help kick start their business, which allows her to point them to What’s the Big Idea. “You don’t have to go to the Province to get a grant to start your business. If you pitch at What’s the Big Idea? you are eligible for grants,” she explains.

For those wanting to register to pitch at What’s the Big Idea, Crewe will help them develop their ideas and give them guidance on how to present their ideas effectively to impress the panel. There’s a wide range of stages at which the entrepreneurs are who come to Crewe. Some just have the beginnings of an idea and are more looking to get feedback or build a bit of a network, others have a full business plan and hope to win a grant to put the plan in action, while others have started their business in the past year and need help with a big change or expansion on what they’ve already established.

The big draw of the event is the opportunity for financial help, with over $30,000 in cash and prizes to be won. A new featured prize this year is a promotional package provided by Promo Time, Provost Signs and the Neepawa Banner and Press, providing $1,000 in promotional products to the winning pitch. There are also cash prizes from Neepawa and Minnedosa’s development corporations, chambers of commerce and other supporting bodies for best pitch, best idea and other criteria.

However, even those who don’t win a grant or prize will still benefit from entering the event. The day starts off with some speakers to inspire and educate entrepreneurs on getting their businesses going. Also in the morning, the entrepreneurs set up their ideas like a science fair and get the chance to network and talk with support agencies who can offer knowledge and help in many different areas. At lunch time, there is a keynote speaker just before the pitching part of the day when the entrepreneurs try to convince the panel of judges that theirs is the next big idea.

Every year there are a number of successful businesses that develop thanks to the help from What’s the Big Idea. In Neepawa alone, there have been five new businesses develop, expand and flourish from the past three years. These businesses include Darren Camryn’s 4U ˮ����Ƶ Decor, an upcycled furniture and decor shop in downtown Neepawa; Kennedy Baker’s XK10 Designs, a customized shoe design and art company; Lewis Pohl and Tim Wiebe’s Avion Harvest, a company that puts natural, locally grown food products on the shelves of grocery stores; Amy Spring’s Fueled by Adventures, a photography business that aims to inspire people to have an active, positive lifestyle; and Brenda Dote’s Princess Disney, which is a party decorating business.

The town in which the event takes place alternates every year; this year it’s taking place at the Minnedosa Community Conference Centre, where the very first one was held. It’s on from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. The event is free both for entrepreneurs to enter and for spectators to attend. Fans of the Canadian television show Dragon’s Den would particularly enjoy the day, as well as anyone who just wants to see what’s new in town or what we could be seeing in the business sector in the future.