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Three North County Businesses Win ‘Big Idea Pitch’ Cash, Plan to Grow
Best Insurance Agency, Corners Frameshop & Gallery, and Paw Purfect Pet Salon each received $10,000 after winning the Big Idea Pitch business plan contest. The competition was organized by North County Inc. in partnership with the Regional Business Council and St. Louis Community Foundation and funded by the U.S. Bank Foundation and the Reinvest North County Fund.
Joshura Davis, owner of Best Insurance Agency, 9191 W. Florissant Avenue in Ferguson, plans to invest the prize money in website development and Internet marketing. Robin Shively of Corners Frameshop & Gallery, 2 S. Florissant Road in Ferguson, will use the money to purchase specialty equipment, signage, marketing, and training in point of sale system software. Owner Paul Simon Cosby of the Paw Purfect Pet Salon, 10432 W. Florissant Avenue in Dellwood, plans to purchase a pet grooming van, van signage, and additional training and equipment.
The Big Idea Pitch process began in September when all competitors were required to submit the business plans they created with help from area mentors. Judges critiqued the plans and made suggestions on how to improve them, then a panel of judges listened to the businesses present their plans at the competition on Nov. 16.
“Starting a business is a challenging proposition and these entrepreneurs have shown that they have stamina and smarts. Their efforts are one of the many reasons we supported this business development competition from North County Inc.,” said Kathy Siddens, community development manager for U.S. Bank. U.S. Bank Foundation donated $75,000 to North County Inc. in the wake of the unrest in Ferguson and the damage done to businesses there, including broken windows at Corners Frameshop and loss of sales at all three Big Pitch winners. The Big Idea Pitch is one of the economic development efforts that NCI organized to promote commerce in North St. Louis County.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our community and helping them grow is critical to the stability of the area. NCI is thankful that through our partnership with the Regional Business Council and U.S. Bank that we were able to help these small businesses take the next step toward success,” said Rebecca Zoll, President/CEO of North County Inc.
