The Neepawa Economic Development hosted its 9th Annual "What’s the Big Idea" event on October 17th at the Neepawa Legion. Launched in 2015, this initiative aims to promote entrepreneurship and the establishment of new businesses in Neepawa. This year, seven entrepreneurs participated, pitching a diverse array of business ideas, including cleaning services, art lessons, a printing business, a flower shop, and sports products.

The event started with an opening message from the Mayor of the Town of Neepawa Brian Hedley.
 “Neepawa and surrounding area has a very strong business community that is continually changing and evolving and that is because of people like yourselves who are continually trying to reshape the  future of our business and our landscape. In this room, we have a group of individuals each with unique experiences and backgrounds and expertise. Today, some of you are embarking on your entrepreneurial journey and are taking the leap of faith to come forward with your ideas and vision. We congratulate you and encourage you to follow your dreams! I’m confident that the ideas shared and the connections that are made today will pave the way for an exciting future.” said Hedley.

As part of the opening presentations, Jewel and Mathew Kulbacki  of Kulbacki Ag Supply shared their business story and some of the lessons they learned to be successful with their Agri Business. “I started doing some custom bale wrapping. We had to wrap around the farm. It’s kind of a niche thing that not a lot of producers have but to get customers down a bit. We kinda taken that to be big. It was one of those things.. we worked hard, we didn’t turn anybody down.  I drove the same roads to wrap seven bales and lost a hundred bucks doing the job but I was not in the position to turn down work when you’re  early in your business, there is no job too small and that’s kind of where it all started. We went to Carberry for five bales. We went to Ste. Rose for seven. It was one of those things that wasn’t profitable but it laid the ground work for what we are today and fifteen years later it turned on to be something.” said M. Kulbacki.

Finally, the highlight the of the What’s the Big Idea event is the Pitching Parlour where the participating businesses pitched their business ideas and plans to a panel of judges. There was an opportunity for the judges to ask questions regarding viability of their businesses and things they can improve and the last part was the awarding ceremony where the businesses were recognized based on different categories.

The What’s the Big Idea event serves as a platform for innovation and community support for new businesses which fosters local economic growth in Neepawa and surrounding areas.