Enterprize Challenge 2020: Submit Your Entries

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VERNON, BC—Her Facebook feed illustrates an eight-month journey marked by milestones (holding the first place Enterprize Challenge trophy, leasing a space in the Polson Mall, and labeling bulk laundry soap) as well as mantras (pushing against plastic for lettuce, kids’ containers, sea life and the water bottles consumed by billions). On Saturday, Dec. 7, as FILL Vernon’s Refill Store celebrated its grand opening to an endless stream of customers, owner Teresa Sanders reflected on the role of Enterprize Challenge: 

“It’s been amazing to see all the people behind us and the pure excitement about the opportunity to ditch plastic,” says Sanders. “So many people have said, ‘We were just waiting for you to open’ or ‘I saw your presentation and I’m so excited you’re finally open.’ We just wouldn’t have had that build up or the community around us, and I’m so grateful for that.” 

Community Futures North Okanagan (CFNO), which hosts the sixth annual Enterprize Challenge presented by VantageOne, opens the 2020 competition Jan. 6 to another crop of emerging entrepreneurs vying for more than $45,000 in prizes. Described by many participants as a “bootcamp for small business,” the competition culminates with seven finalists pitching their business to judges à la Dragon’s Den in front of a live audience at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre. 

Enterprize Challenge 2019 participants. Photo credit: Celena Sandaker

“The Enterprize Challenge is about getting businesses started off on the right foot,” says Kazia Mullin, Business Services Manager, CFNO. “Our goal is to have everyone who participates get training, skills, and a chance to boost their business’ marketing. And a big part of that comes from learning how to pitch your business.”

Leading up to that April 28 public presentation, however, is an incredible amount of preparation as well as support. Workshops and mentorship sessions are held to help participants understand the fundamentals of starting a business. They are supported in preparing for their initial presentation, which is held in front of a panel of judges behind closed doors.  

“We changed the format of the event last year to have our seven finalists do a public pitch to our judges. Not only did finalists have the general public get excited about their business but the finalists themselves stepped up and elevated their understanding of what makes their business successful,” says Mullin. 

Teresa Sanders, Enterprize Challenge 2019 winner.
Photo credit: Celena Sandaker

The prize packages are created to give winners a leg up in their first year of operations and include marketing, advertising, legal, printing, banking, and accounting services. Participants also have the chance to earn a marketing package with the People’s Choice Award.  

It’s been an exciting time for the 2019 top three winners. FILL opened its doors in early December; second place winner Sugarbee’s Ice Cream Company became a household name as the bicycle cooler filled with real ice cream made its way to markets, shops and festivals; and third place winner The Boarding House Café is set to open its coffee house filled with board games on 31 Avenue. 

“Even the people who don’t ‘win’ come away as winners because they now have a deeper understanding of their business and where the opportunities for success are,” says Mullin.  

The Community Futures Enterprize Challenge is presented by VantageOne Credit Union with other local businesses and organization sponsoring the event to make the challenge and its prizes possible. Enterprize 2020 registration opens Jan. 6, 2020 and closes Feb. 7 for participants with a business idea or a business that opened in the last 12 months. To learn more or register, visit enterprizechallenge.ca. 

ABOUT COMMUNITY FUTURES NORTH OKANAGAN

Community Futures North Okanagan is a not-for-profit organization that supports economic development projects and helps our business community, job-seekers, and employers succeed. As a community-based organization with roots in Vernon dating back to 1984, Community Futures acts as a leader to create opportunities for growth and success across the North Okanagan. A team of nearly 45 staff provide workshops, programs and services for three departments: Business Services, Employment Services, and Economic Development. Visit www.futuresbc.com to learn more. 

Photo credit: Celena Sandaker celenasphotography.com

Business Loan Helps 4-H Member Raise a Steer

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Isabella King remembers seeing Norman for the first time. Born at Higgins Family Ranch near Kamloops, Norman was grazing in the pasture at her friend Ashlyn’s house, where he had been dropped off for Isabella, as her family does not own a farm.

She instantly fell in love with the Maine-Anjou’s milky white and black-spotted coat and knew then what lay ahead of her.

At 13, Isabella has had more responsibilities than most teens her age. For the past year, she has spent all her spare time feeding, grooming, and training Norman to be a prized steer.

All her hard work paid off last summer when Norman won Reserve Grand Champion at the Okanagan 4-H Stock Show in Armstrong. The stock show is also where Isabella said goodbye to Norman when he was sold to Askew’s Foods during the beef auction.

“When I walked into the pen, and they started bidding, I knew it was going to be tough,” Isabella, a Grade 8 Vernon Secondary School student, says. “Lots of kids don’t know what I do. I tell them that I raise a steer, and then I sell it, but it’s a lot more than that.”

Isabella is about to go through the process all over again. She has recently purchased another steer, a Hereford, from Ogilvie Ranch in Knutsford and is planning to enter it into upcoming stock shows.

“I still haven’t decided on a name. It’s between Ronnie and Louie,” she says.

Banking on Beef

As with Norman, Isabella received the funds to purchase her new steer with help from Community Futures North Okanagan’s 4-H business loans program.

A member of the High Country 4-H Club in Westwold, Isabella, and all other registered 4-H members in the North Okanagan are eligible for a CFNO business loan up to $3,600 to invest in livestock as well as feed.

Isabella with Norman.

“The 4-H loans program is a CFNO initiative to support youth in agriculture. It allows kids to learn how to manage money, a business, and have a purpose,” says loans advisor Scot McNair. “We help young people like Isabella with an interest-free loan that only involves a small processing fee.”

Isabella’s mom, Jodi Gerich, says the program has enormous benefits. It not only teaches youth valuable life skills but also helps cover the costs of purchasing the animal and caring for it.

“Without support from Community Futures, we wouldn’t be able to afford a steer. Club calves can be as much as $2,400. A sack of feed alone is $500,” Jodi says. “The loans program is a great business introduction for young people, as it gets them banking and managing funds at an early age.”

Learn to Do by Doing

As a 4-H member, Isabella has learned how to engage an audience through public speaking and leading demonstrations. She has also acquired all it takes to prepare an animal for judging.

Isabella’s new Hereford.

There is lots of time involved to get a steer prepared for stock shows, says Isabella, who has participated in the Prospect show in Kamloops along with the Okanagan 4-H Stock show.

“You have to train the animal using a breaking halter. You have to walk around a lot, so your steer can get used to its head being up. You also spend days washing and brushing. You have to comb their hair up to make them look wider, and you have to clip their head hair to get it looking straight,” she adds.

The hard work is worth the effort as once the steer sells, it helps pay off the loan.

“Isabella has been able to make some profit to put back into her animals and to help get some fencing up at home, so one day her horses can come here,” says Jodi. “She’s also interested in purchasing a heifer, so she can possibly breed her own steer one day.”

To learn more about CFNO’s business loan programs, contact the Community Futures Business Team at 250-545-2215, or visit futuresbc.com.

About Community Futures

From our office in downtown Vernon, Community Futures North Okanagan offers employment, business and economic development services to help residents build their future and the community. We service Armstrong, Coldstream, Enderby, Grindrod, Lavington, Lumby, Mara, Okanagan Indian Band,  Spallumcheen, Splatsin and Vernon.

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