Sarnia flower and decor biz wins contest

Going through things like marketing and human resources training while in the throats of opening her new flower shop was eye-opening for Emma Mallon.

“I could kind of get a bit of a real-world reflection on what was happening in my business” while going through a series of workshops through the Sarnia Lambton Business Development Corp.’s Business Boost Bundle contestsaid the creator of Save the Date Floral and Decor.

What started in 2019 as a home-based flower and decoration business for weddings morphed in April when Mallon opened her new brick-and-mortar flower shop at 452 Christina St. N.

“Fresh everyday florals for funerals, birthdays, graduations and celebrations is where we really want to grow our business,” she said.

She’d applied previously for a loan and training from the non-profit SLBDC that provides business development help in the community, then enrolled for more when she heard about the annual contest.

“Going through (training) the second time was a lot of refining what I already had a little bit of re-evaluating,” she said.

It also made her business about $25,000 richer.

Mallon recently won this year’s contest after pitching her business plan to judges.

She receives $15,000 toward rent, $5,000 toward fixed assets, $2,500 for marketing services, $250 for business supplies, a year of business counseling services, a year’s membership with the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce, and a free business banking account with Southwest Regional Credit Union .

Already feeling empowered with the training sessions under her belt, Mallon said winning the prize package is “surreal and very exciting.”

It not only takes the pressure off for her store’s first year in operation, but lets her invest more into the two-employee business, she said, adding she’s grateful to the SLBDC and the various contest sponsors: Southwest, the Chamber, CR Creative Co .Ltd. and Manley’s Basics.

“It’s exactly what a new business needs,” she said about the prize. “It covers everything.”

About 20 businesses participated in at least some of the training sessions and three went on to life for the prize, said SLBDC executive director Sarah Reaume, noting a $1,000 people’s choice award sponsored by Bluewater Power went to motorcycle startup Canadian Baggers.

People voted on videos made by the finalists, Reaume said.

“We’re really pleased with the caliber and quality of the finalists we had,” she said.

“That’s indicative of, we believe, regardless of whether they were a prize winner or not, these businesses will go on and just do incredibly well,” she said.

The federally funded corporation provides loans, free business counseling services and economic development opportunities like the contest, she said.

The May 24 contest judging event was the first held in person since the COVID-19 pandemic, she said.

“We were really excited to be able to bring everyone together at Sunbridge (Hotel) for the live event.”