By David Helwig
SooToday.com
Tuesday, April 11, 2006

BIZMAP BUSINESS
PLAN COMPETITION

NEWS RELEASE

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BIZMAP Business Plan Competition's grand prize winner announced

Registration for 2006 now open

Sault Ste. Marie – On April 5, organizers of the 2005 BIZMAP Business Plan Competition congratulated the winners.

BIZMAP promotes entrepreneurship in the Algoma District for youth aged 18-25.

The competition provides a supportive platform for local youth to test their ideas and to gain access to a network of experienced business people, local resources, and possible capital.

Eighteen teams registered to vie for cash and prizes totaling approximately $20,000.

The competition was made possible by a three-year, $77,100 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation in December 2004.

"We're very proud that we've been able to help the BIZMAP Competition enable young entrepreneurs to discover their dreams of creating their own businesses," said Sergio Saccucci, a member of the foundation's local grant review team.

"What's particularly impressive is to see the drive and determination these young adults have shown and the pride they exhibit in their achievements."

"The judges, steering committee members, and I were blown away by the Final Five presentations this year. The passion from our finalists about their ideas was very contagious," said project manager Jill Zago.

Katie and Pam

The grand prize went to Sault Ste. Marie's Pam Dalton and Katie Oberegger [shown].

They're planning to open Daydream Spa within a year, catering to men and women.

Both young women are already experienced in their field, working as aestheticians while finishing school.

Confident, knowledgeable, and customer service oriented, Katie and Pam are well on their way to making Daydream Spa a viable business.

They received an $8,600 prize package donated entirely by the business community: $2,000 cash; $1,000 account at Copiers Plus; $3,000 account at KPMG; $500 account at Wishart Law Firm; $1,200 in ONTERA services; $200 Chamber of Commerce membership; $700 waived service charges on an RBC business account; and application guidance from an RBC agent for the NOHFC Young Entrepreneur Program (for additional start-up funding).

Rikki-lee Gibbons

Second place was awarded to Rikki-lee Gibbons from Sault Ste. Marie.

Rikki-lee's desire to educate and service a specialty market in Algoma is a result of her search for answers about the Wiccan religion many years ago.

She has formulated an effective plan to address the needs of those interested in Wicca and plans to open her store on Queen Street this summer.

She received $1,000 cash and $3,200 of business start-up services.

Margo Beaudoin

Third place went to Margo Beaudoin from Chapleau.

Margo's vision includes experiential education and outdoor programming in the heart of Chapleau, home of the world's largest game preserve.

Margo plans to operate Boreal Adventures, offering tourists, locals, corporations and schools the experience of mountain biking, kayaking and climbing in the area.

She plans to partner with the Chapleau township to offer zip-line canopy tours and is working on partnerships with other adventure companies in Northern Ontario.

Margo received $500 cash and $3,200 in business start-up services.

Other winners

Other winners included Troy McLaughlin of Hawk Junction with his business plan for Synergy Forestry; Matt Seabrook of Thessalon with his plan for Small Motors; and Mark Perrot of SSM with his idea for Sault Tours.

All received waived service charges on a business banking account valued at $700 each.

All youth involved in this innovative and unique program had access to a network of professional supports (through project partners and volunteer entrepreneurs) to assist them in developing their business ideas, researching the marketplace and establishing achievable targets, as well as to provide them with an invaluable networking opportunity.

"It was very exciting to be a BIZMAP judge," says Debbie Gallagher, local entrepreneur. "I am very impressed with the youth that competed and I am glad they took advantage of this entrepreneurial opportunity. I look forward to hearing about their progress."

Registrations for the 2006 BIZMAP Business Plan Competition can be completed online at www.bizmap.ca

All individuals entering must be 18-25 years old and reside in the Algoma District.

BIZMAP was made possible with a three-year Ontario Trillium Foundation grant made in December 2004.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the Ministry of Culture, receives annually $100 million of government funding generated through Ontario’s charity casino initiative.

The management of BIZMAP relies on a partnership between the Community Development Corp. of SSM & Area, Algoma University College, the SSM Enterprise Centre, the SSM Innovation Centre, and the East Algoma Community Futures Development Corp.

BIZMAP 2005 was sponsored in part by KPMG, PUC, RBC, Brookfield Power, Yes FM, and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund.

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