Win This Space contest returning for a third year
Downtown Peterborough storefront rent-free for a year the grand prize
A downtown initiative that’s behind the launch of several new businesses is back in action.
Win This Space is officially open to applicants.
It’s a contest for entrepreneurs, new or existing, who’d like to open a business downtown.
The winner gets a storefront rent-free for 12 months, along with additional prizes.
The Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) started the contest two years ago.
Tina Bromley, owner of Tiny Greens, won the first year and Nadine McCallen, owner of Ritual Apothecary, won earlier this year.
Both women were at the Win This Space launch at Venture North on Tuesday night.
Bromley celebrated her year anniversary on George St. in July.
She grows and sells microgreens (small, leafy greens packed with nutrients).
“It’s been wild. I have learned so much in the last year as an entrepreneur,” she said.
Since opening on her own, Bromley has hired two employees and is looking for another.
McCallen is also ready to bring some hired help. She makes and sells herbal remedies as well as organic beauty and skin care products.
“I’ve gone from begging my friends to help out to needing someone who gets money,” McCallen said.
Running their own businesses come with sacrifices though, but they say it’s worth it in the end.
Bromley said her family takes great pride in her venture.
“It makes us so happy, and sleepless and then full of energy again – and we love our customers,” Bromley said.
While opening her own business has been amazing,
McCallen also said it’s non-stop work.
“It’s been unquantifiably ex-hausting, but really fulfilling and it seems like people are happy I’m there,” McCallen said.
Although Bromley and McCallen were the official winners of Win This Space, seven other business owners who made the contest’s top 10 now have shops downtown too.
Terry Guiel, executive director of DBIA, said their initiative has been so successful, other BIAs use Peterborough as a template.
“A lot of other BIAs contact us to see how we do it so well,” he said.
Guiel attributes the success of the contest to the partners involved including Community Futures Peterborough, Peterborough Economic Development, the Chamber of Commerce and the Win This Space business network.
“We have the organizations that help support, incubate, and accelerate entrepreneurs, and Peterborough does it really well,” Guiel said.
To entre Win This Space, applicants need to create a one-to-three minute video explaining their business, then submit it online. The deadline is Nov. 16 at 4 p.m.
The top 10 finalists will be announced Nov. 28 and will attend three workshops in January.
Contestants then pitch their business plan to eight judges in February and the winner is announced at The Venue on March 5.
NOTE: To apply for Win This Space go to www.winthisspace.com