You have an idea, now all you need is a space.
With the support of a strong local community, Leamington is the perfect home for your business. We’re challenging you to Reinvent This Space and build your future in Leamington.
Reinvent This Space is a business recruitment initiative that encourages and inspires participants to explore their dreams of entrepreneurship and equips them with the tools and skills needed to open a business in uptown Leamington.
Participants in the Reinvent This Space program will receive business development training, mentorship and a chance to pitch for a $15,000 Reinvent This Space grant. The grant will support an entrepreneur by providing rent for 12 months for a vacant storefront in uptown Leamington.
Reinvent This Space is a Municipality of Leamington initiative in partnership with the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre, a division of Invest Windsor Essex. The Reinvent This Space competition has been developed to support local small business, spur economic development and revitalize Leamington’s uptown.
Program overview
Entrepreneurs are invited to submit an application along with a brief video pitch outlining their business idea. A panel of local business leaders will review proposals and select a shortlist of finalists. The finalists will receive in-depth training and support by the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre to help develop their business plans. Finalists will then make a final pitch to the panel, before the panel awards a grant of up to $15,000 to the winner. Please see the full program details, rules and regulations below.
Important dates*
- Send us your application online by January 21, 2021 at 4 p.m.
- Your idea could be selected as a finalist
- Attend orientation and mandatory workshops between February 7 and February 11, 2022 (held virtually)
- Submit your business plan by March 4, 2022
- Three finalists will pitch to the judging panel on March 23, 2022
- The winner will be announced in April 2022
- The successful finalist selects a storefront in uptown Leamington with up to $15,000 to go towards a one-year lease!
How to apply
Do you have a cool business idea? Do you want to locate your business in uptown Leamington? Now’s the time to put your business plan into action. Tell us your plan – what type of business, how you’d use the space to make your dream a reality, and of course, why you should win. Submit your 1-3 minute video application today, where you can win a one-year lease worth up to $15,000! The application deadline has been extended to January 21, 2022.
The application period is now closed.
Business mentor committee
Amy Saba
Amy Saba is the owner of The Branding Loft. She brings several years of diverse experience in the advertising industry as a social strategist, account manager and event manager. Graduating with a bachelor of arts in kinesiology from the University of Western Ontario, and a diploma in sports and event marketing from George Brown College, Amy provides a unique perspective that is innovative and out-of-the box. She has worked with a wide range of businesses such as Wendy’s Canada, Wind Mobile, General Motors, Honda Canada, Labatt Breweries and Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Amy’s intrinsic understanding of her clients’ needs and her ability to translate them into superior campaigns is the cornerstone of her success.
Deborah L. Rollier
Deborah was called to the bar in 2001 and joined Ricci, Enns & Rollier LLP after completing articles in a large London firm. She completed her undergraduate degree at Brock University and obtained her Law degree at the University of Western Ontario. Deborah practices in all areas of general practice with an emphasis on real estate, Wills and Estates, corporate commercial and family law. Deborah is also accredited as a family law mediator. Deborah is a member of the Advocates Society, Canadian Bar Association and the Essex Law Association.
Hilda MacDonald
Born and raised in Leamington of immigrant parents, Hilda attended local schools as well as the University of Western Ontario. Hilda was elected Mayor of Leamington in October of 2018. Prior to that, Hilda served as Leamington’s Deputy Mayor for one term and as a Leamington Councillor for two terms. Hilda has served and advocated for the community in her many positions within a variety of organizations, including the Leamington Chamber of Commerce, Leamington Uptown BIA and the Leamington Economic Development Committee to name a few. Before entering politics, Hilda was an entrepreneur, owning and operating a successful business in uptown Leamington for 10 years.
Jen Dawson
Jen has over 20 years' experience in the local financial services industry and has held various roles in sales and services, operations and branch management. Jen has now taken that passion for community, people and business to a new career in the insurance industry as a commercial producer with Ives Insurance Brokers Lt. Her focus is on small business retail and the non-profit sector. In her spare time, you may see Jen attending networking or community events as the current President of the Leamington Chamber of Commerce, or striving to support and guide our local hospital as a board member of Erie Shores HealthCare.
John Dean
John Dean is a branch manager at Kindred, a values-centred, faith-inspired credit union and a Certified B Corp™. John has more than 40 years experience in financial services, with half that time working with members at Kindred Credit Union’s Leamington branch. He has in-depth experience across all aspects of financial services, from the front line to investing to lending. John particularly enjoys sitting down with members to solve unique and sometimes intricate lending issues. While John grew up in the London/St. Thomas area, he has resided in the Leamington/Kingsville area for a number of years. He enjoys watching hockey, football, travelling and spending time with his grandchildren.
Michelle Fortier
Born and raised in Leamington, Michelle Fortier worked at a variety of businesses in Leamington’s uptown before moving to Windsor and then the United States to become a turf management specialist. While in the United States, Michelle developed a passion for the music/event industry. Using her skills in management, booking and publicity, she formed her company Michelle Fortier Publicity, adding radio promotion with Trespass Music. Returning from the United States, Michelle became a founding board member, past president, volunteer coordinator and publicist for the Kingsville Music Festival (2011-2016). Hired as the publicist for The Bank Theatre in uptown Leamington in 2017, today Michelle manages the newly renovated gem, a recognized pillar in Leamington, is currently interim coordinator of the Leamington Uptown BIA and continues her work with Michelle Fortier Publicity/Trespass Music clients in radio, social media and event promotion.
Renee Daudlin-Iacobelli
Renee owns and operates Insight Advantage Inc. a full-service employment, training and vocational rehabilitation company with eight offices across Southwestern Ontario. With over 29 years of experience working within vocational rehabilitation and labour market re-entry services, Renee is skilled in corporate training and adult learning, vocational and employment counselling, employee assistance counselling, transferable skills analysis, vocational rehabilitation, job placement, and disability management consulting. In addition to her work in the private sector, Renee is passionate about giving back to her community as an active member of the Rotary Club of Leamington.
Tyler Hicks
Tyler was born and raised in Leamington and graduated from Brock University with a Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours), Co-op Option in June 1993. He received his CPA designation in 1994 and became a partner in 1995. Tyler has been a managing partner for Hicks, MacPherson, Iatonna & Driedger LLP since 2008. During his time with the firm, Tyler has worked extensively on a variety of the firm’s audits including both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. Tyler enjoys coaching youth sports, volunteers for his local Church as treasurer and enjoys getting out to his home course at Erie Shores Golf and Country Club.
Wendy Parsons
Wendy Parsons has been with the Leamington District Chamber of Commerce since 2003. As general manager, she actively promotes and advocates for local businesses. She is president of the Chamber Executives of Ontario and an active member of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Wendy has assisted businesses to navigate through the pandemic by helping businesses to network, advocating for government grants and setting up a rapid antigen test dispensary. Through the Chamber, Wendy organizes many events including the Business Excellence Awards and the annual Santa Claus Parade. She is a believer in excellent customer service, collaboration and a connector to many community members. She sits on the South Essex Community Council board and BIA. Wendy is an active member of Rotary and serves as an Assistant Governor and an Outbound Coordinator of the Youth Exchange Program.
Program details, rules and regulations
| Eligibility |
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The competition is open to all legal residents of Canada who are 19 years of age or older and residing in the province of Ontario at the time of submitting an entry to the Reinvent This Space competition. (Hereafter referred to as the “Applicants.”) The Applicants may be a sole proprietorship or partnership. No franchises or individuals looking to purchase/take-over an existing business will be considered. In the case of a partnership, only one representative need apply to the Reinvent This Space program. The Adjudicating Committee (the “Committee”) will have sole and absolute discretion in determining whether or not an Applicant is eligible for this competition and such determinations shall be final. Applicants must be willing to commit to signing a minimum one-year lease from one of the participating spaces, which are available for lease at the end of the competition. If none of these spaces are suitable for the winning business, another location may be sourced within the Uptown Leamington boundaries. Applicants must have submitted an entry into the competition by the deadline date as described on the website (reinventleamington.com) to have their business considered as part of the competition. The Committee will select the top 10 businesses (the “Top 10”) to advance to the next phase of the competition and to receive a series of six free mandatory business workshops presented by Reinvent This Space partners. |
| Rules and Regulations |
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The Committee will review all completed and submitted business plans, and other supporting documents submitted by the Applicants. Printed and digital business plan proposals submitted for consideration to the competition may not be returned. All decisions, judgments, and selections of the committee are at the sole and absolute discretion of the Committee and are final with no right of appeal. By participating in the competition, each Applicant agrees to these Official Rules and Regulations and to all decisions of the Committee. By submitting an application for and entering the competition, each Applicant advancing to the final phase of the competition may be asked to provide a background/reference check if required. The successful Applicant will receive a grant under the Business Relocation and Expansion grant program of the Uptown Leamington Community Improvement Plan (CIP). This grant will be equivalent to 12 months of rent at an eligible space in Uptown Leamington, to a maximum of $15,000. The Municipality will reimburse the successful Applicant for rent expenses upon the submission of adequate proof of payment/receipts, as per the terms of the CIP Grant Agreement. The lease agreement, term, and any required leasehold improvements will be agreed upon by the landlord/property agent and the successful Applicant and will not involve the Municipality of Leamington. The rules and regulations of Reinvent This Space are subject to change without further notice. |
| Application and Selection Process |
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The Committee can choose up to ten applicants to advance to the next phase for additional consideration and to receive and complete, to the Committee’s satisfaction, a series of six free mandatory business development workshops. All other applicants will be informed of their elimination from the competition. The Top 10 can obtain further assistance with their business plan submission from other business assistance services during the competition, if they choose. Any/all additional services utilized will be at the candidate’s own expense and not reimbursed for by the organizers of this competition. The Top 10 must submit their business plans and supporting documents to the Committee by a deadline communicated upon their selection (see Appendix A). The Top 10 will be expected to present their respective business plans to the Committee and be asked to demonstrate via a business plan presentation on how the business will be displayed, marketed, etc. During this appearance, the finalists must be prepared to answer questions from the Committee and demonstrate product and business acumen as well as discuss financial planning for the purpose of sustaining a minimum one-year commitment to lease. The successful Applicant will be announced publicly in April 2022. In the event the successful Applicant cannot make suitable leasing arrangements to set up their business within the timeline provided in Appendix A, the prize may be awarded to an alternate applicant as selected by the Committee. The successful Applicant will be provided with a list of possible locations in Uptown Leamington and must negotiate with the property owner(s) and construct a working lease agreement no later than the timeline as described in the Appendix A. If the successful applicant does not achieve a grand opening on or before the timeline as described in the Appendix A, the grant is forfeited and will be offered to a runner-up by the Committee. |
| Obligation of Successful Applicant |
The Successful Applicant will be obligated to:
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| Appendix A - Reinvent This Space Important Dates |
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Do you have a space available in uptown Leamington?
Your property can be the new storefront for the Reinvent This Space winner! We're always looking for locations to participate. Submit your space details.
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Reinvent This Space partners
