2020 Youth Ventures Regional Awards
Business Evolution Award
The recipient is Dillon Brown of DP Artistry.
This award is presented to the Youth Ventures participant in the Trinity Conception region that has demonstrated significant growth and development of their business. The recipient of this award is someone who has employed unique strategies to create growth and success in their field.
Dillon first began DB Artistry in 2017 after receiving great feedback for a CD Cover he designed for Dave Fitzpatrick’s Various Artists album, the drummer for The Fables. He decided to sell the cover design in the form of prints and found great success. As the years passed, Dillon began to introduce magnets, stickers, and signage into his product lineup. In the last three years, Dillon has found great success in his business and has no desire to stop. This year, Dillon noted that his business would likely be affected by the lack of tourism due to COVID- 19. As a result, he instead focused on small out port communities as a target market, designing stickers, magnets, and prints for small businesses within these communities. This ambitious change has once
again proven successful and Dillon boasts a fantastic relationship with these small businesses.
Emerging Venture Award
The recipient is Cahley Warren of Stowaway Succulents.
This award is presented to the Youth Ventures participant in the Trinity Conception region that has created the most successful new business in the Youth Ventures Program. The recipient of this award is a person who took a completely new business and built it to a significant level. This year the recipient is Cahley Warren of Stowaway Succulents.
Though Stowaway Succulents began operating at the end of Summer 2020, Cahley Warren officially began selling her succulents in June 2020. Regardless, Cahley has already secured many repeat customers. Due to the business’ dependability and high-quality succulents, Cahley Warren has been kept busy all summer by her happy customers. This summer, Cahley is the recipient of awards at both the regional and provincial level. At the provincial level, Cahley is the recipient of the Trailblazer of the Year Award. This award is presented to a business that shows unique and forward thinking.
Entrepreneurial Excellence Award
The recipient is Alyssa Barrett of Candy Treasures by Alyssa.
This award is presented to the Youth Ventures participants in the Trinity Conception region who best exemplify entrepreneurial excellence. The recipients of this award are youth who display perseverance, commitment, and ultimately success in their entrepreneurial venture.
Though Alyssa has been involved for the Youth Ventures program for some time, this summer, Alyssa has adjusted her business strategy to include a trailer. This trailer has offered her the opportunity to become mobile and visit numerous communities in the Trinity Conception region with ease. Alyssa has further taken the initiative to partner with local community businesses such as the Mad Rock Drive-In located in Bay Roberts and the Northern Bay Sands. This has allowed her to set up shop during film showings and sunny days to sell to hungry customers. From a customer perspective, Alyssa is kind, friendly, and makes great effort to provide her customers with a satisfying candy experience. I believe that it is also important to note her active participation on her Facebook page where she maintains a notable following of 1600 Facebook likes and consistently communicates with her customer base, advertising her products and set- up locations. On this platform, she is attentive and quick to customer questions and concerns. This year, Alyssa is a recipient of awards at both the Regional and Provincial levels. At the Provincial level, Alyssa is the recipient of the Excellence in Customer Service Award. This award is presented to the business that is outstanding in going over and above what is required in the area of customer service.
Excellence in Product Diversity and Creativity
The recipient is Shana Brown of Perfect Picks.
This award is presented to the Youth Ventures participant in the Trinity Conception region who best exemplifies the ability to create a diversified set of products.
Shana first began Perfect Picks in 2017 as a small business dedicated to assembling jewelry from guitar picks. By selling her product at local craft fairs and craft shops, her ability to recognize the significance of catering to a wide market audience was apparent. In her first year alone, she successfully sold hundreds of assembled products to eager customers. As time went on, Shana paid close attention to the market to expand on her brand by introducing more handcrafted products. Shana has adeptly molded and expanded her brand to best suit her customer’s needs. Perfect Picks is well known at the Regional, Provincial, National, and International levels. Shana has had success selling products not solely in Newfoundland but as well as in other Canadian provinces, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom.
Most recently, Shana has taken the ambitious step to develop and publish a handcrafted coloring book based on local sites within the Trinity Conception region. This year, Shana is a recipient of awards at both the Regional and Provincial levels. At the Provincial level, Shana is the recipient of the Outstanding Venture Award. This award is presented to a business owned by a youth, 17 years and under, who has experienced significant achievement during the current year and stands out amongst the crowd.
