The owner of JD & Company of Brussels is the winner of the third annual Huron East "Win This Space" competition.
Huron East Economic Development Officer Jan Hawley says contestants go through three training sessions that include marketing, finance, and the mechanics of putting a business plan together. At the finale, they present their idea to a panel of judges in a Dragon's Den type of format.
The winner gets one year of free rent as well one year of mentoring, advertising, marketing and general support that makes it a little easier to start a business.
Jackie DeWit's business JD and Company sells natural personal and household products.
Hawley points out it's not uncommon for a contestant who didn't win to take advantage of the training they've received and go ahead with their plans to start their business.
"To date there have been 16 new business start-ups," she says. "After tonight there will be eighteen because one of the contestants decided to drop out of the competition just prior to submitting the business plan. She went through all of the training and she has a new business start-up."
