HARRISTON – The Town of Minto and the LaunchIt Business Exploration Centre selected Brass Ridge Acres as winners of the 12th Annual PitchIt Minto Business competition.
The competition started in 2012 to grow small businesses in Minto and increase awareness of the resources available.
This year marks the largest number of finalists and $28,500 worth of cash prizes.
“We have never had so many finalists before and when we asked our sponsors if they would be willing to step up and offer the finalist prizes to more businesses then expected, they didn’t hesitate to say yes,” said economic and community development director Belinda Wick-Graham.
The winner, Brass Ridge Acres is owned and operated by Jessica and Brad Cowan.
Brass Ridge is a small farm located west of Harriston.
They grow cut flowers at a small scale during the harvest season and offer flower bundles for pick-up and delivery.
Demand is outpacing supply, so they applied to PitchIt to help expand their business.
The expansion plan includes going from a flower garden to a two-acre flower field, stated the release.
They will need to lengthen the growing season by investing in a greenhouse, a hoop house, irrigation, frost cloth and landscape fabric, added the release.
With a larger growing space and access to the necessary resources, they plan to offer ‘you-pick’ events.
The events will be a space for community members, wholesale programs for local floral and event planning businesses.
They will also offer services for pre-order and subscription, outdoor learning opportunities for local youth, partnerships with local agri-tourism businesses and agriculture education programs.
Volunteer and employment opportunities will also be available.
Wick-Graham noted that 15 entries were received, and all were deemed worthy to submit full business model canvases and present them to the judges.
“This year we revamped PitchIt to move away from a traditional business plan and used the Business Model Canvas,” stated Wick-Graham in the release.
“This allowed the participants to learn all elements of a business plan and think through their business without the intimidation factor of writing a full-blown plan.”
The finalists included:
– Brass Ridge Acres, owned by Jessica and Brad Cowan;
– May’s Specialties, owned by Mabel Amapali;
– Nadur + Nadur Wellness, owned by Trish and Maggie Riley;
– Reroot Farm, owned by Caitlin Hall;
– Eh 2 Zed, owned by Jan Campbell;
– Dulce Heaven Cookies and Scoops, owned by Carlos Trivino;
– Son of RA Sourdough, owned by Mark LaRiviere;
– Ellis Odesseys Travel, owned by Tracey Ellis;
– Bright Green Roof, submitted by Alan and Paula Roaring; and
– Kyra Ash Nutrition Solutions, owned by Kyra Ash.
PitchIt Minto offers prizing for the winner and all finalists as well as a pool of prizing that can be customized based on the needs of the finalists.
The finalists have been awarded over $28,500 in cash and prizes, split up accordingly.
A previous PitchIt winner, Dr. Shawn McDonald, owner of McDonald Chiropractic and current chair of the Minto Chamber of Commerce said, “The 2024 PitchIt competition was one of the best yet.
“A large contestant pool, a wide variety of skill sets, and business concepts made it exciting for the judges,” McDonald added.
“I wish everyone much success with entrepreneurship, congratulations not only to the winner but everyone as it was a very difficult decision.”
Executive director with the Business Centre Guelph Wellington and long-time judge Kristel Manes commented, “I was so personally impressed with the experience, knowledge and creative caliber of all the contestants and wish them all great success with their business aspirations.”
The competition is a unique opportunity where new and expanding local businesses can feel well-supported as they learn to grow, said Brad Cowan.
“We are very grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in the PitchIt competition and look forward to expanding from garden to field in 2025.”
For more details contact Belinda Wick-Graham at, belinda@town.minto.on.ca or 519-338-2511 ext. 241.
Competition winner, Brass Ridge Acres farm owned by Jessica and Brad Cowan. From left: Belinda Wick-Graham, Jessica Cowan and Mayor Dave Turton. Submitted photo
