When asked to describe his daughter Justine in one word, Sudbury business owner Wayne Martin replied, "Amazing." Martin was present at an opening event where Guilty Pleasures Bakeshop + Bar, his daughter's new business, was congratulated by city officials, the Downtown Sudbury BIA, and Greater Sudbury Development Corporation.
"I have my own business, so I think she took to that when she was growing up, seeing me doing what I do. But she took it a whole new step above what I had ever done,” said Martin. “She’s taken off running. It's a very proud moment for us."
Justine Martin is the 2017 winner of Downtown Sudbury's first Win This Space contest. Now, she will be judging the second edition of the contest as its March 29 entry deadline approaches.
As part of the contest’s $44,000 award package, Martin won one year's lease on a downtown storefront, as well as a marketing and branding package. But the determined entrepreneur said a big part of her success involved having vision for an extended future.
To that end, Guilty Pleasures Bakeshop + Bar entered a five-year lease on opening. On its first day of business (which happened to be Valentine's Day), the boutique bakeshop sold more than 600 cupcakes. Since then, a steady flow of business comes through its downtown door.
"I get people all the time who ask me, are you going to continue after your year long lease payments are up?" said Martin. "I've signed a five-year lease; it's not a project, this is my life and my business."
Mayor Brian Bigger congratulated Martin on the successful launch and said businesses like hers have made a noticeable difference in the downtown core.
"I was not expecting walking in here, because I saw what the space looked like before. So so impressed," the mayor said. "Win This Space is all about taking ideas and dreams and transitioning to a real business. An actual business to the advantage of downtown, our downtown family.
"Small businesses and entrepreneurs are so vital to our future in our community. Thank you for being courageous in starting up your business. I think we can all see the vision that you had here."
That sentiment was echoed by Downtown Sudbury’s executive director Maureen Luoma.
"They're businesses that are putting the feet on the street," she said. "They're the businesses that are bringing back that vibe and the experiential feeling that only a downtown can offer.”
The objectives of Win This Space are threefold: to recruit business, to bring attention to downtown properties, and to provide incentive and opportunity to entrepreneurs. This year's contest is worth $47,000, that's $3,000 more than last year's grand prize. Laurentian Publishing has donated a "tri-branding" package valued at more than $6,000 that will be part of the 2018 package.
As a judge, Martin says this year's entrants would do well to centre innovation in their approach. "Confidence is key," she said, "You have to truly believe it in order to sell it."
To apply, aspiring entrepreneurs can visit the Win This Space website where their video pitch and business description may be submitted.
But you better move quick if you're interested. The deadline is March 29, and 10 finalists will be announced on April 12.
