Woo Hoo! Teresa, Tim and Wendy!

NEWS RELEASE SAULT STE. MARIE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ************************* 2011 Bridges to Better Business Award winners SAULT STE.

NEWS RELEASE

SAULT STE. MARIE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

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2011 Bridges to Better Business Award winners

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON (November 28, 2011) - The local business community was honoured last week at Bridges to Better Business 2011.

Hosted by Business Sault Ste. Marie, a division of the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation (SSMEDC), the annual event features learning and networking components, along with an awards ceremony, which included:

Bridges to Better Business Award – given to a new local business start-up that demonstrates innovation, creativity and entrepreneurial excellence

2011 Winner: Teresa Burns, Candy Bouquet [shown with Tom Dodds, CEO of the EDC]

Teresa had a creative business idea that she was passionate about.

Since opening her doors in early-2011, she has run an extremely successful operation. Located at 290 Wellington Street West, Candy Bouquet provides a delicious alternative to flowers.

The business is booming and is expected to soar even higher going into the holiday season.

Summer Company Award – given to the participant in the Summer Company youth entrepreneurship program who had the highest revenue generated.

2011 Winner: Tim Berkenbosch, Tim Berkenbosch Milling

Summer Company provides grants of up to $3,000 for youth to run their own seasonal business.

Tim came into the program with a good level of all-round skills in business operations, great customer service and produced a solid business plan.

Operating a company that manufactured cedar wood products like decking and siding, he completed the program reaching a 93 percent actual-to-projected income for his business.

Alynn Burke Award – this memorial award is given in honour of Alynn Burke, a former SSMEDC staffer who died in a tragic accident several years ago. The recipient is an individual who champions youth development and/or entrepreneurship.

2011 Winner: Wendy Marasco, Cupcakez

Located at 153 Great Northern Rd. (beside Subway), Wendy’s business provides mouth-watering cupcakes for any occasion.

She worked with Sault College to hire graduates from their Hospitality and Tourism program and also with Community Living Algoma to provide work and development opportunities to young adults with disabilities.

“The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in the Sault area, and these award winners exemplify the creativity and ingenuity of the local business community,” said Terri Chiarello, small business advisor for the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation.

Following the awards ceremony, a networking session and keynote speech was given by Doug Bolger, founder of L(earn)2, an award-winning professional training company.

About 150 people attended the free event, making Bridges to Better Business 2011 an overall success.

Held at the Marconi Club, it was sponsored by Business Sault Ste. Marie, RBC Royal Bank, the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Canada Business Ontario, and Passport to Prosperity.

For information on what the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation can do to help your business, visit this website.

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