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Sudbury entrepreneur on a 'crazy vintage adventure'

Starlotte Dresen claims top prize in Win This Space contest
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Starlotte Dressen, owner of Starlotte Satine Vintage, speaks to the crowd after she was named the winner of the Win This Space contest, hosted by Downtown Sudbury BIA. (Nick Liard/Sudbury.com)

For the past three years, Starlotte Dresen has been on what she calls a “crazy vintage adventure.”

She's the owner of Starlotte Satine Vintage, which up until Sept. 25 was a home-based business dealing in vintage clothing and other vintage-type goods.

Dresen was named the winner of the second Win This Space contest, hosted by Downtown Sudbury BIA. She was one of more than 20 entries in this year's campaign.

“I'm just really excited,” Dresen said. “It's been almost three years of prep and planning, and six months of this contest, so finally getting past that point of not knowing is great, and now I finally have a place where I'll be able to bring new and exciting things to Sudbury.”

More than 20 entries were whittled down to seven finalists, who then participated in four workshops provided by the Regional Business Centre. Each finalist developed their business plan and submitted them for review by the judges.

The top finalists were chosen, and they had to make their pitch in front of the judges.

A total prize package worth $49,500 including a one-year lease of up to $15,000, as well as advertising and branding packages from local media outlets and other business-related materials from downtown businesses.

Dresen offers vintage clothing, but she also specializes in hosting vintage events, “creating unique and innovative shopping experiences unlike Sudbury has ever seen,” she said.

“I have always been drawn to vintage,” she said. “I'm also a burlesque performer, and I noticed there was a need for it. I've always been fascinated by the lifestyle of that era. I will also be conducting workshops and little Gatsby parties, as well as vintage festivals. I have all sorts of little plans up my sleeves.”

Dresen said she considers herself a “starving artist” more than an entrepreneur, but she couldn't be happier with what lies ahead.

“It all fell into place,” she said. “Three years ago, I was thinking I would like to have this type of business here, and now here we are, and it's been really exciting. To be able to have that storefront and all the help that comes along with winning this contest is essential to any young entrepreneur. It's really expensive when you're just starting. I don't think I could be doing this without this contest.”

Maureen Luoma, executive director of the Downtown Sudbury BIA, said they were very happy to present Dresen as the winner, but it was a tough choice for the judges.

“We had a lot of variety in terms of ideas for new businesses,” she said. “From the people who applied, like last year, I expect to see several others move forward with their business ideas, even though they didn't win, and hopefully in the downtown.

“We're very pleased, and we really look forward to Starlotte opening her business. I think her shop is definitely going to be an attraction, especially since there isn't another like it in the city, and we wish her all the best.”

For more about Dresen and her business, find her on Facebook.


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Arron Pickard

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