Youth Entrepreneur Challenge Showcases Future Business Leaders:
The Piney Regional Chamber of Commerce (PRCC) is proud to announce the success of its first-ever Youth Entrepreneur Challenge, held on May 15, 2025. This dynamic “Dragon’s Den”-style event invited students from across the region to pitch their innovative business ideas for a chance to win cash prizes and gain valuable entrepreneurial experience.
Hosted in collaboration with local municipalities, schools, and economic development partners, the event highlighted the creativity and drive of five student entrepreneurs. “Each one of the participants did an incredible job,” said John Prevost, president of the PRCC. “They are all winners and I look forward to watching them enter the workforce with ideas and businesses of their own.”
Each participant had four minutes to present their business to a panel of PRCC-member judges, followed by a five-minute Q&A session. “As their business coach for this event, I was proud of how these students stepped forward to present their businesses,” added Mark Bernard, local business owner and RM of Piney Councillor. “They showed real leadership and enthusiasm – it’s inspiring to see.”
Congratulations to the Prize Winners
1st Place: Miguel Bouchard, Grandma’s Garage
($500 cash sponsored by the RM of Stuartburn and Smith Neufeld Jodoin Law Offices)
2nd Place: Alexis Gobeil, Gobeil’s Gifts
($100 Co-op gift card sponsored by Clearview Co-op, Vita location)
3rd Place: Tony Zacharias, Zacharias Lawn Care
($50 Co-op gift card sponsored by North 49 Land Management Services)
4th & 5th Place: Janessa Ginter, Cluck Houses and Carlos Zacharias, Farm Fresh Rabbit
($50 cash each sponsored by Prevost Perennials)
All participants also received gift bags, thanks to generous support of: Sunrise Corner Economic Development, Shevchenko School, RM of Piney, Piney Regional Chamber of Commerce, Manitoba Crime Stoppers, Konrad Narth MLA for La Verendrye, Delta Real Estate, and Access Credit Union.
Just like the Green Career Symposium held in April 2024, this event was made possible through a team effort of the Piney Regional Chamber of Commerce, RM of Piney, RM of Stuartburn, Ross L. Gray School, Shevchenko School and Sunrise Corner Economic Development.
The Chamber extends heartfelt thanks to the local Chamber members who volunteered as judges: Dylan Gurman (RM of Stuartburn Councillor and local beef producer), Konrad Narth (MLA and local business owner), Chris Loeppky (recently retired from Access Credit Union), Connie Gamble (Special Projects, RM of Piney) and Jonathon Prevost (Owner, Upper Hand Technologies).
The PRCC would also like to thank the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce for sharing resources from their successful Chamber Challenge, which served as a model for this event.
Photos: John Prevost, president of Piney Regional Chamber of Commerce (left) and Mark Bernard, business coach (right) congratulate the winners:
1st Place: Miguel Bouchard, Grandma’s Garage
($500 cash sponsored by the RM of Stuartburn and Smith Neufeld Jodoin Law Offices)
2nd Place: Alexis Gobeil, Gobeil’s Gifts
($100 Co-op gift card sponsored by Clearview Co-op, Vita location)
3rd Place: Tony Zacharias, Zacharias Lawn Care
($50 Co-op gift card sponsored by North 49 Land Management Services)
4th & 5th Place: Janessa Ginter, Cluck Houses (right) and Carlos Zacharias, Farm Fresh Rabbit (left)
($50 cash each sponsored by Prevost Perennials)
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Media Contact:
Monique Chenier, Secretary
Piney Regional Chamber of Commerce
info@pineyregionalchamber.com
www.pineyregionalchamber.com
The Piney Regional Chamber of Commerce promotes an environment that fosters economic development, partners with civic agencies, and provides value to members through education, networking, and cultural interests thereby enhancing our region for work, play, family life, and business.