The overall winner of last year's Launch-A-Preneur competition has nothing but good things to say about the experience.
"It's hard to believe it's been a year already, but in that very busy year our business has gone from concept all the way to production, and our Easy Rider ski will be available for rental at local marinas this summer," writes Blaine Sholinder of Hydrodynamic Foils Inc. in an email to the Observer.
At the Launch-a-Preneur gala, the Hydrodynamic Foils team told the judges how they had improved on other sit-down skis in areas of safety, accessibility, stability, weight and maneuverability. Their pitch and business plan earned them the top $13,000 grand-prize package.
"The Launch-a-Preneur contest winnings gave us the seed money we needed to build our board molds, extrusion dies, and our prototype bringing our ski to full production," explained Sholinder. "As well, the other prizes gave us the opportunity to build our business, look after legal issues, do some advertising and also meet other business owners who assisted us."
He said the Launch-a-Preneur program is a good avenue to learn exactly what it takes to build a business and launch it, and decide whether a business is even a viable one.
"The program gives you great backing with good support and lots of brain storming as a team for great ideas. What I liked the most, was the ongoing support even after the competition was over."
Second-place winner as well as winner of the Green Initiative award was Jennifer Ripel and White-o-Coccoli, a business focusing on personalized bamboo cutlery and tableware created mainly for children.
Ripel told the Observer her company has come a long way since the competition by increasing the types of products produced and expanding their distribution.
"My big goal this year was to have my product for sale in at least six stores, and so far I'm on track to obtain that goal," she writes. "My other goal was to have a set of my new tableware in the hands of (actor) Jessica Alba for her children, and I was thrilled when that goal also came true just last month and received rave reviews about my tableware sets."
She explains that Alba's Eco company, which produces natural diapers and baby products, has been an inspiration for her. She managed to send Alba a message and asked if she could send her some tableware.
"She and Christopher (Alba's partner) each received a set of each style for their children; I heard back twice after they received them that they absolutely love them."
This year's Launch-a-Preneur competition goes Friday, April 26, 6 p.m. at the Salmar Classic Theatre. For more information, call Carol McGillivray at Salmon Arm Economic Development, 250-833-0608 or email bsc@saeds.ca.