The Local Entrepreneur Accelerator Program (LEAP) held its fifth cohort, a Winter Barn Raiser on Dec. 13, to recognize the local entrepreneurs who recently completed the eight-week program put on by Community Futures Sunshine Coast and Simon Fraser University Community Economic Development.
“We want to connect our entrepreneurs with the Coast,” Dawn Smith, project coordinator with Community Futures, said. “Businesses can only thrive in a community – especially a rural community – if they meet and engage directly with the public. Plus it’s so much fun – people like to come out, they like to hear the pitches, it’s a really fun night for the audience, and it gets the entrepreneurs important resources and connections.”
Five students who recently completed LEAP pitched their businesses to the 60 people in attendance. After hearing the pitches, the audience voted on a People’s Choice Award, which was won by Laurie Lesk for PrideGuide, an annual magazine aimed at improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ2) youth on the Sunshine Coast.
“PrideGuide is a free, annual magazine showcasing LGBTQ2 arts, culture and business on the Sunshine Coast,” Lesk explained. “Through dynamic, original reporting and elevated design, PrideGuide will not only draw LGBTQ2 visitors to the Sunshine Coast, but it also serves as an informational hub for our local LGBTQ2 community.”
Lesk organized the inaugural Sunday in the Park with Pride last June. All of the profits from PrideGuide – which Lesk said will generate revenue through advertising – will go to Sunday in the Park with Pride.
“When all is said and done, PrideGuide will save lives,” Lesk said. “Coming out as a young person is so difficult. I come out every day in some capacity and I have never gotten used to it. It’s difficult every single time. The first time is really difficult, especially without the support of your family and possibly your friends. Young people on the Coast who are coming out, they’re going to look for that rainbow.”
The cover of the first issue – scheduled to release this spring – features the iconic rainbow Pride Flag. The People’s Choice Award came with a Sunshine Coast Credit Union business bank account pre-loaded with $500.
Audience members were also given “prosperity bucks” to invest in any of the five entrepreneurs. The money came from ticket sales and will be turned back into real cash by Community Futures.
In addition to Lesk’s PrideGuide, Allyson Fawcus pitched Sunshine Coast Lavender, Chelsea Allen pitched Seafoam Juice, Brian Merkosky pitched Artisans Way Organics, and Paula Howley pitched Head Start Public Speaking for Kids!, which won the home-based business excellence award from the Sechelt and District Chamber of Commerce last November.
“I think the Sunshine Coast is one of the best places in the world to be a social entrepreneur,” Smith said. “I think what’s happening here is really special. We’re all lucky to be here, and our entrepreneurs are going to do great.”
For more information see www.communityfutures.org or www.sfuleap.ca
