April 2019 – Community Futures North Okanagan

VERNON, BC—Back in December, Teresa Sanders read an article about what she calls “the myth of recycling plastics” that opened her eyes and her imagination. She decided to do something about it and came up with a business idea to provide refillable cleaning and hygiene products to the community.

Her idea will soon become a reality now that Sanders has been named the 2019 Enterprize Challenge grand prize winner.

“I am so pumped for the opportunity to reduce plastics in our community,” said an elated Sanders, who has won close to $20,000 in prizes provided by Enterprize sponsors. “I’ve seen refill stores in Chilliwack, Victoria, Vancouver, but noticed there was none here in the Okanagan. I am happy we can do this for the earth, but I am also happy for myself and to open the business FILL.”

Teresa Sanders, owner of FILL, Vernon’s Refill Store, accepts the grand prize award from Roxanne Davyduke, VantageOne Credit Union

Sanders was one of seven finalists who competed at the awards and challenger showcase, April 24 at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre. More than 200 people attended the event, which saw the finalists display their business ideas in the centre’s foyer before giving the final pitch to judges in front of a live audience.

“We had such an incredible calibre of entries this year,” said Kazia Mullin, Business Services Coordinator with Community Futures North Okanagan, which has organized the Enterprize Challenge for five years. “Judging from the applause and shouts of support, the audience enjoyed watching the finalists pitch their ideas to the judges. It was like watching the Dragon’s Den live and was exciting to see how well all of them did in their presentations.”

Also new this year was the People’s Choice Award, where supporters could vote for their favourite showcase and pitch via an online survey. Ashley and Michael Reina of Therabyte Inc., a cloud-based web application for therapists, won the People’s Choice, while Kayley Letendre of Sugarbee’s Ice Cream Company came second, and Marilyn Courtenay of the Boarding House Café placed third.

“This was an amazing opportunity to learn how to start a business,” said Letendre, who gave out samples of her French-style all natural ice cream during the showcase.

“I really appreciated the support and mentorship I had from my mentor, Scot McNair. He was instrumental in getting me to where I needed to be. Now the sky’s the limit.”

Sanders also thanked her mentor, Amy Gillies, a commercial lender at VantageOne Credit Union, for her support.

“I learned so much from working with her,” said Sanders, who is currently looking for a storefront to open FILL. “We had an incredible team at Community Futures and from the community who came in to help us with everything from marketing to creating a business plan.”

Ted Morrison, VP of Commercial Banking at VantageOne, who has served as an Enterprize judge for the past two years, says he was impressed with the calibre of all the contestants this year.

“We ended up with 18 presentations at the beginning of the challenge, and all of them were fascinating. I learned a lot. To see the passion in the room was enough for me to think that we have a good future here in the North Okanagan when it comes to business talent,” said Morrison, adding that VantageOne Credit Union has supported the Enterprize Challenge as a sponsor since day one and plans to continue its support.

Leigha Horsfield, General Manager, Community Futures North Okanagan, says the Enterprize Challenge would not be possible without the support of the sponsors who have not only donated the more than $30,000 prizes but have helped in other ways.

“This year, VantageOne Credit Union and another 14 organizations sponsored the event to make the challenge and its prizes possible. We are grateful for the support and are looking forward to seeing our challengers reach their goals of opening and marketing their businesses. We wish them all the best.”

Many have big goals, such as keeping plastic from landfills and keeping people active. Some want to spread the joy of simple pleasures like real, French-style ice cream or board games over breakfast. All have their eyes on the 2019 Enterprize Challenge grand prize.

Community Futures North Okanagan (CFNO), which hosts the annual Enterprize Challenge, has just announced the seven finalists competing to win nearly $34,000 in prizes at the finalists pitch, awards and challenger showcase April 24.

Kazia Mullin, Business Services Coordinator, CFNO, says it’s been an exciting fifth year for Enterprize Challenge.

“The entrepreneurs who presented their first pitch all brought their best. The depth of skills, knowledge and passion delivered truly blew us away. It was a hard task for the judges to narrow the group of challengers down to the final seven.”

Here are the 2019 Enterprize Challenge finalists:

The Boarding House Café, Marilyn Courtenay

Board game lovers and early breakfast diners will eat, drink and be merry at The Boarding House Café. By opening early and staying open later than most coffee houses, The Boarding House gives residents a more flexible place to enjoy exceptional desserts, all-day meals and a great selection of board games. F

Fort Knox Security, Tylor Herold

Growers and retailers in the Okanagan’s emerging cannabis industry can rely on specialized security services by Fort Knox. Covering produce facilities, micro producers and medicinal and retail outlets, Fort Knox gives cannabis business owners complete protection and peace of mind.

FILL, Teresa Sanders

A plastic-less lifestyle is made easier with FILL, a household goods store that lets customers refill everything from shampoo to dish soap, and purchase zero-waste products such as lunch containers and wooden toothbrushes . Customers will appreciate the chance to gauge their efforts with the FILL environmental calculator, which highlights the plastic they’ve saved from landfills and waters.

Monashee Health Collective, Dr. Steven Piper

If the North Okanagan embodies the ‘activate life’ statement, Monashee Health Collective offers the integrated health support so residents can enjoy a long and active life. With a team of like-minded healthcare professionals, Monashee provides assessment, treatment, education, training, recovery and outcome measures to inspire movement and quality of life.

Sugarbee’s Ice Cream Company, Kayley Letendre

Taste the Okanagan with real ice cream handmade from pure and local ingredients. Discover the mouth-watering bliss of rich, French-style ice cream blended right here for your family!

Therabyte Inc., Ashley & Michael Reina

Rehab therapy practitioners now have a solution to improve clinical research and treatment workflow with Therabyte. A cloud-based web application, Therabyte helps therapists and patients reach their goals at every stage of the treatment journey: intake, assessment, treatment, communication, reporting and billing.

Twilight Express Corp., Bonnie Godwin & Ashley Beauvois

When Enderby and area residents with mobility challenges need to get to medical appointments and do shopping, Twilight Express Corp. has its van doors open. This 14-seater handi-van with an approved wheelchair lift supplements community shuttles with on-demand service and also provides transportation for seniors, river floaters, special events and medical patients.

Finalists are competing to win one of three prize packages: first place, valued at $19,389; second place, valued at $9, 139, and third place, valued at $5,449.

Finalists will now give their pitch and winners will be announced at the final pitch and showcase being held April 24 at the Vernon Performing Arts Centre. This year marks the launch of the People’s Choice Award, sponsored by Sproing Creative. This prize will be awarded to the business with the most votes by the audience at the event. Tickets are available via Eventbrite, and the public is encouraged to attend.

“Everyone is excited to hear the final pitches,” says Mullin. “It’s going to be a great evening.”

The Community Futures Enterprize Challenge is presented by VantageOne Credit Union and another 14 organizations sponsor the event to make the challenge and its prizes possible.

And the Enterprize Challenge 2019 winner is…

Enterprize Challenge 2019 Finalists Announced