‘Vend 2 Win’: Six Entrepreneurs Win Trip To NY
Six local vendors have beat out the competition to secure a free trip to showcase their products at a New York City market on Saturday, July 1. with Limestone + Cedar, Native by Channing Dill; His N Hers Hair & Beauty, Queendom Heights, Chiko’s Smokey Rub and NovelTea all impressing the judges to win the overseas marketing opportunity.
The Bermuda Economic Development Corporation’s inaugural ‘Vend 2 Win’ Competition and Market has been hailed a “huge success” after attracting 36 local vendors and scores of patrons this past Saturday at Bermuda Athletic Association [BAA] from 2pm until 6pm.
Six local vendors were selected as BEDC’s first Vend 2 Win winners, after a competition and market held on Saturday, May 19th. Winners from left to right are: Jayde Gibbons of Queendom Heights; Kelsea Williams of NovelTea; Kayuntae Ming of His N’ Hers Hair & Beauty; Michiko Campbell of Chiko’s Smokey Rub; Nina Froncioni of Limestone + Cedar Co; and Channing Dill of Native by Channing Dill
A secret panel of judges were invited to browse the market this weekend to assess vendors on their booth’s presentation, customer service, packaging/ display, ability to deal with large crowds and the overall buying experience to select the competition winners.
Based on their overall scores, there are now six local vendors that have been selected as the first Vend 2 Win champions. They include: Limestone + Cedar Co.; Native by Channing Dill; His N Hers & Beauty Co.; Queendom Heights; Chiko’s Smokey Rub; and NovelTea.
Organiser Ondreyah Rochester, BEDC’s Junior Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise [MSME] Officer, said: “It was breathtaking to see so many vendors come out and display their hand-made and Bermuda inspired items this past weekend. I was really impressed with the overall caliber of the talent that came out and wish I could take all these vendors with us to New York.
Local vendor Felica DeRoza of Butterfli; Kelsea Williams of NovelTea; Kayuntae Ming of His N’ Hers Hair & Beauty; Michiko Campbell, Owner of Chiko’s Smokey Rub; Nina Froncioni of Limestone + Cedar Co; and Channing Dill of Native by Channing Dill and Jayden Gibbons, owner of Queendom Heights. Ondreyah Rochester, BEDC’s Junior Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise [MSME] Officer; Dustin Edelhertz, Co-founder of Driven Society and Erica Smith, BEDC’s Executive Director.
“We had originally set out to award five local vendors with the grand prize, but there ended up being a tie that the judges couldn’t break. We have decided to take all six entrepreneurs with us and know they will represent the Island well in July.’
Ms Rochester said she was particularly impressed with His N Hers & Beauty Co’s booth, run by Kayuntae Ming, a 19-year-old who just last year graduated from The CedarBridge Academy.
Driven Society’s The Reserve market was established to stimulate business growth for multicultural business owners and provide a fun, inspiring and interactive experience for guests.
Geared at attracting millennial consumers, including some of New York City’s biggest influencers and trendsetters, those who attend the vibrant events are encouraged to engage with new brands and meet the entrepreneurs behind the products and services,
In addition to sponsoring their registration fee for the market, BEDC will award Vend 2 Win top prize winners with a round trip ticket to the Big Apple and accommodation.
Erica Smith, BEDC’s Executive Director, said the experience would be a “worthwhile investment’ into the lives of Bermuda’s entrepreneurs.
“I was very impressed with the talent that came out this past weekend to BAA and believe those chosen will showcase some amazing products; and help to continue to put Bermuda’s entrepreneurs and products on the map,” Mrs. Smith explained.
“The overall goal of the competition was to facilitate another way to expose our Island’s entrepreneurs to international opportunities. During this unique trade mission to New York, the winners will observe overseas vendors, network with other entrepreneurs, build an international client-base, and learn as much as possible, so they can bring that experience back with them for the betterment of their businesses and Bermuda.”
Jayde Gibbons, owner of Queendom Heights, described the recent Vend 2 Win Market as ‘amazing’.
“To see so many creatives come together and produce the level of work I saw was phenomenal,” she said. “I was very proud to be a part of that and the feedback I got for my prints was amazing, the atmosphere was unmatched and I really had a good time networking with all of the other entrepreneurs. Great job to everyone who participated!”
In addition to the six winners, the public also had an opportunity to vote for their favorite vendor at Saturday’s event. The ‘People’s Choice’ award and $100 travel voucher prize was given to Lifestyles Co Ltd. The event also featured an innovative passport system, encouraging customers to shop in order to be eligible to win the door prize draw, a $300 travel voucher.
The BEDC is hoping to provide another opportunity for local vendors to attend a similar market in Los Angeles later this year.
Dustin Edelhertz, Co-founder of Driven Society, was on Island this week to meet the vending competition winners. Mr. Edelhertz said: “I’ve personally travelled to Bermuda for many years as a tourist and just love the Island. I’m excited to be able to introduce these other Americans, who haven’t yet experienced the culture and heritage here, and to be able to bring a piece of Bermuda to them.
“These six vendors will be showcasing aspects of local fashion, food and drink flavours and other Bermuda inspired items to the wider public. Hundreds of people usually come to our events looking for the next new brand and that exclusive first look at something, which is why we carefully select each vendor that will be part of every single event.”
Mr. Edelhertz encouraged any other local vendors interested in experiencing The Reserve to either stop by as a patron or to consider applying directly through them by e-mailing: info@drivensociety.com. For more information on the BEDC, email info@bedc.bm; or to learn more about the upcoming July event offered by the Driven Society, visit www.drivensociety.com.
Excellent, and Premier Burt can accompany them to New York City and promote Bermuda at the same time!
Great job!
And the next 5 vending opportunities are where? Off course no answer after such a great start it all ends up where?
Yessssssssssss……go Deroza!!!!