Meaford held its 14th annual Dragons event, offering over $15,000 to support local entrepreneurs.
On Nov. 3, five female slayers took to the stage to impress a panel of dragons and convince them to support their various needs.
The participants included Christine Sheardown of Sheardown’s Wine Bar, Jennifer Lynes Murray from Christmas on the Bay, Janice Campbell owner of Spencer Safety Solutions, Lynn Izzard owner of Green Peak Therapy, and owner of L’Apothicaire Botanique Lisa Marie Holmes.
In addition to a minimum of $1,250 each dragon committed to allocate to each contestant as they saw fit, the slayers also had the chance to win various packages given by local businesses. The packages ranged from advertising, consulting, and chamber memberships, valuing over $7,500, as well as a audience choice award.
The dragons included Blair Almond from Bruce Street Technologies Limited, Tim Fischer of Mentor Technologies, Shannon Fry from Pharmasave Thornbury Pharmacy, Cathi Parrish from Loyal LePage Locations North Brokerage, and Trevor Shaw from BrokerLink Insurance.
Sheardown made her return to the stage after appearing in last year’s event. She was asking for any financial support from the dragons to help her offset the costs of an outdoor patio for her restaurant. Sheardown came in first place by winning a total of $7,725, which included advertising packages and a chamber membership, and also winning the audience choice award.
“I am a little bit in shock,” says Sheardown. “I am so thankful and grateful and I took the feedback from last year and I funnelled it into my presentation this year just to elevate it.”
Campbell was asking for $5,000 to purchase the necessary fall equipment for her safety consulting service business. She came in second place winning over $3,000.
“I am so thankful for the opportunity. Health and safety is truly important to every single individual as well as every single business, and to have somebody in Grey Bruce now who is available to do that, and being able to showcase that tonight, has been a huge opportunity for me,” says Campbell.
The other contestants, including Izzard, Murray, and Holmes were each awarded over $1,000 to support their various businesses.
Izzard’s business focuses on cultivating resilience and well-being for all, centred on mental health. She was asking for $5,000 to go towards start up costs and accreditation.
“It was more overwhelming than I anticipated,” says Izzard. “I felt very grateful to be here.”
Murray who was representing Christmas on the Bay, a not-for-profit, asked the dragons for $1,000 to help showcase their first annual event. From Dec. 1 to the 4, the municipality will host Christmas on the Bay, a four-day European-Style outdoor Christmas market, and act as an economic driver for Meaford.
“It was really fun, really empowering to be up there with all other women dragon slayers,” says Murray.
Holmes asked the dragons for $5,000, which would go towards her businesses’ marketing budget, as well as advertising, and a new sign. Her existing business focuses on providing various health services including supplements, herbal remedies, and life style recommendations.
“It is such a great opportunity, Meaford is the cutest town in the entire world and just to stand in front of an entire audience, in front of my peers, in front of a bunch of friends, family and patients, it’s really such an honour,” says Holmes.
Mayor Barb Clumpus says, “I’ve watched this program grow over the past 14 years into a pillar of business development in our community, providing financial and mentorship support to so many creative and inspiring entrepreneurs. The number and diversity of innovative business ideas that took flight at this event on the Meaford hall stage, and now are successful on a local, national and even international platform is truly impressive.”
Meaford Chamber of Commerce President Robert Uhrig adds, having the event is very important to the community.
“As the president of the Chamber of Commerce, you realize how small businesses are the backbone of our community,” says Uhrig. “The Meaford Dragons is a great feeder system to be able to get new and expanding businesses the chance to get the foot in the door.”