Chamber names Chamber Challenge winners

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This article was published 13/05/2024 (456 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The first annual Steinbach Chamber of Commerce Chamber Challenge announced its winners last week and winning ideas range from charcuterie boards to skate sharpening.

The Chamber Challenge is a Dragon’s Den for teens where they pitch their business ideas in four minutes to a panel and answer any questions from the judges.

“We’re really happy with how this first event went. We’re looking forward to doing it in the future. And we think that now that more people can visualize what the event is about having seen it or heard about it from other people or seeing the pictures or video on social media. I think that next year we’ll have a lot of applications,” said chamber executive director Tessa Masi.

There was a total of seven submissions this year from teens from all over the Southeast. Three pitches were businesses that were already established and four were pitches where the ideas were still in the prototype phase or in development.

“They were so professional in their pitches. Some of the kids even memorized what they wanted to say to the judges. We had two groups where they were in two entries where one was a pair and one was three kids. They each memorized who was going to say what and I think the judges were very impressed by the level of professionalism coming from these teenagers,” said Masi.

Winning first place and $1,000 from MNP was Clinton Plett for his business, Plemark Welding.

“I felt pretty good! I was pretty excited. I knew I could reinvest into my business and get more tools and equipment. I’ve spent most of the money already, actually. I bought a couple of drills and I bought some torch stuff. Some more tools so I can diversify my services,” he said.

The 17-year-old started his business two months ago as a way to keep busy and to make some money doing what he loved. He was taught to weld by his grandfather and YouTube.

“I just love it. It’s satisfying to me and it’s making stuff,” he said.

Plett said his business plan was to buy the tools he needed and market himself to farmers and other businesses. He has a roster of clients including Canadian Tire and he said he markets himself through business cards, advertising on his truck, Instagram, and he’s in the process of creating a website. He charges $65 to $70 per hour depending on the work that needs to be done and the client pays for materials.

“There’s a lot of competition with mobile welding but there’s a ton of work so I think I can get myself into a bunch of jobs.”

The career driven Steinbach Christian School entrepreneur said the fun thing about owning your own business is the money and being able to buy nice tools. He said the most difficult thing about owning your own business is paperwork and marketing.

“Marketing is pretty tough and getting customers. When you have a customer and they’re a repeat customer but getting that customer to kind of take a chance on you, especially me because I’m 17. I did a job for Canadian Tire so they said they would call back. It’s just getting a customer – and they’ll be a repeat customer – it’s just getting them to trust you, I guess.”

Winning second place and $750 from Smith Neufeld Jodoin LLP was Madison Enns for her business, The Little Epoxy Company.

“I heard about (the Challenge) from the owner of Collecta Co., which is the store I’m in at the mall. She let me know about it so I would have a pretty good chance and I decided to go for it and then I found out I was one of the finalists,” said Enns.

The 16-year-old Steinbach Regional High School student started making her charcuterie boards, jewelry trays, and spoon rests as a hobby in December 2022. In March 2023, she decided to sell her creations.

“It started off mostly like a hobby with just me and my dad. We had seen stuff with epoxy online and thought it looked really cool. We eventually decided to try to do that. It worked and I love it and continue to do it and have gotten better at it,” said Enns.

Enns sells her boards from $55 to $300 and trays from $10 to $38. While she wants to be a veterinary technician she plans on continuing to make her designs as a side hustle. She markets herself by word of mouth, renting space in Collecta Co., going to markets, through Instagram, and handing out business cards.

“(Making a successful business means), I think, making sure that your products are unique from your competition especially from our area. Good quality for the price that the customers are paying. Enjoying what you do and being passionate about it.”

Finally, winning third place and $500 from Scholars of Steinbach was Louis Tetrault for his presentation on his business, Lou’s Skate Sharpening.

“We believe in entrepreneurship so much because when teens are creating jobs here in Manitoba they’re staying in Manitoba,” said Masi. “They’re not looking to go elsewhere to find their dream job. They’re able to create that right here. We believe in entrepreneurship for that fact and also because Steinbach is a community of entrepreneurs and we really appreciate that legacy and heritage.”