the Manistee DDA, West Shore BAnk, Little river casino resort Present
Spark Manistee is a competition to encourage and incentivize entrepreneurs to open or grow their businesses in Downtown Manistee. Submit your next big idea today!!
HOw It works
Creators submit their new business ideas. 5 finalists present their ideas before a panel of judges and live voters on January 25th, SPARK Pitch Day. The winner receives DDA cash incentives and professional services to launch their local business!
Submission Deadline: October 30th, 2019 at midnight
EXTENDED: NOVEMBER 12th, 2019
Top 5 Selection: November 19th, 2019
Spark Manistee Event: January 25th at 10:30 am to 1 pm
Finalists will be expected to participate in the following pitch and presentation opportunities:
SBDC/SCORE Presentation Pitch Training: December 11th at 12 pm at Location Downtown
SBDC/SCORE: 1-1 Business Prep One Hour Sessions: Dec 19th at Ramsdell Regional Center of the Arts, Classroom A
SBDC/SCORE:1-2 Business Prep One Hour Sessions: January 16th and 17th at Ramsdell Regional Center of the Arts, Classroom A
Downtown Tour: TBA
2020 Spark Manistee Finalists
Kenneth E. Urban, Maker’s Mercantile – Retail operation specializing in both standardized and customizable goods designed for home décor, gifts, or as souvenirs.
Joann Snay, Artful Creations – DIY arts and crafts studio where people can gather to create one-of-a-kind pieces of art through canvas classes, pottery painting, pottery wheel classes, fused glass art and jewelry.
Angela Meyers, Candy Shop (yet to be named) – candy shop with arcade
Laura Kolka, Candy Store (yet to be named)- Self serve assortment or candies priced by weight. If the opportunity arises, kettle corn, cotton candy, ice cream and cupcakes.
Madelyn Fitzsimmons, Millennial Décor – Decorating/Design Business with hourly services for interior decorating/design that will shop with clients to select finishes for their new builds/renovations, create design boards, provide specification booklets for the customer and design management. Growth may include selling furnishings or décor.
2018 Winner
Jamie Catlett – Manistee Men’s Grooming Company
2020 Spark Manistee Winner
Jamie Catlett-One year later
Thank you to our Small Business Development Center Team:
The Michigan Small Business Development Center (MI-SBDC) provides expert assistance at no cost to entrepreneurs looking to start or grow a business. The Northwest Michigan Regional Center is hosted by Networks Northwest and serves the ten county region including: Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, and Wexford counties. For more information, go to: SDBCMichigan.org.
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5 IDEAS
These 5 local creators receive individual support from WSCC to create business plans.
5 MINUTES
1 WINNER
5K CASH
BUSINESS SERVICES
5K LOAN
