A full house is expected on Thursday at ArtsForward in Neepawa when the community hosts "What's the Big Idea?" - an entrepreneurial pitch competition offering funding to launch new rural businesses. With more than $8,000 in cash prizes up for grabs, competition is expected to be fierce. The event debuted last year when the communities of Minnedosa and Neepawa partnered to see what ideas existed in for new ventures on the rural landscape. Six aspiring entrepreneurs made their pitch and as a result of the event, three new businesses have opened their doors over the past year. The Inspire Studio of Fine Art in Minnedosa was the big winner, taking home three prizes including the RBC "Best Pitch of the Day" and has since opened a gallery on Minnedosa's Main Street. 4U Home Décor and Consulting has added to the store front activity on Hamilton Street in Neepawa, and Oakview Equipment has launched an MTZ tractor dealershipat Rapid City. Heading into the second year, the event has attracted a great deal of attention, not only from participants coming to present their idea, but also from industry as well as other communities looking to adopt this innovative approach to spur new interest in commercial development in their own communities. Renewing their partnership for 2016, Minnedosa and Neepawa hosts are excited to see the growing interest. What started as a "local" event last year has now attracted attention from World Trade Centre Winnipeg, the Business Development Bank of Canada and the Alberta-based Trend Lab Marketing Services. All three agencies will have representation at Thursday's event. "What's the Big Idea?" is open for free to the public and active business community. While the highlight of the day's agenda will be the pitches from the registered participants from Minnedosa, Neepawa, Gladstone and Brandon, other speaking sessions slated for the day include small business financing, entrepreneurship for new Canadians, and anecdotal lessons from emerging entrepreneurs in the area. The key note speaker during the lunch hour is Aaron Biblow, the Business Development Manager for Trend Lab who will be speaking about the role of digital marketing and the use of websites and social media in today's business environment. The entire program runs from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Thursday. For more information on the event or to inquire about registering a pitch, contact Marilyn Crewe at 204-476-7607 or edo@wcgwave.ca Social Media Link for the event: https://www.facebook.com/events/329760584023093/

BDNMB.ca has received confirmation from numerous resources that TacoTime, a fast-food restaurant chain specializing in Mexican food, will return to Brandon occupying the vacant commercial space between Dominos and Fun-n-Games. Brandon residents can once again look forward to their selection of burritos, tacos, and Mexi-Fries to satisfy their fast food cravings. Over the years TacoTime has popped up in a few different locations in Brandon including inside the food court at the Brandon Shoppers Mall as well as at the corner of 10th & Rosser (Double Decker). The mall location stopped serving customers at the end of December in 2010. The TacoTime website indicates an October opening, however that has yet to be confirmed, and there appears to be a fair amount of progress left to complete.   (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Based in Brandon, Manitoba Woodworks of Art Handcrafted Furniture is owned and operated by Ryan Wyshynski. He designs and creates one-of-a-kind custom solid wood dining tables, entertainment units, bedroom furniture, sideboards, coffee tables, fireplace surrounds and mantles, display units and just about anything else. Ryan grew-up in Thompson, MB until the age of 16 when his family relocated to Perth, Western Australia. After high school he enrolled in the Bachelor of Architecture program at the University of Western Australia and studied architecture and spent many weekends and evenings in the university's expansive woodworking shop. In 2002 he returned to Canada and for the past 19+ years he has been involved in the design, art, and woodworking fields. Sometimes called "hybrid woodworking" Ryan uses a blend of old and new techniques, hand tools and power tools, solid hardwoods and modern materials. He designs in a wide range of styles from traditional oak furniture, rustic distressed finishes, live bark edge slabs, to fresh modern designs using solid hardwoods and baltic birch with high quality wood veneers. Woodworks of Art works with you from the initial idea stage, to the finished design, through to the finished product. All of his pieces are original designs and hand-made just for you. There are no sizing restrictions or style restrictions -he is there to listen to YOU, and together, create something beautiful that will be a part of your life for years to come.

Last evening the 100 Women Who Care Brandon & Area members wrote a big cheque to the Women's Resource Centre for $3,850.00!!!!  The Women’s Resource Centre is an organization dedicated to providing support and mentoring for all women and their families. 100 Women Who Care is a group of women who share a common desire to give back and inspire local philanthropy in their community. Funds raised will go to support the Women’s Endowment Fund held at Brandon Area Community Foundation and supports CRA Charitable Organizations in our Westman Area.  Thank you so much to all our Women Who Care Brandon & Area members for your support, and for making this difference in our community. 

The second of four, 1-hour meetings for “100 Women Who Care” Brandon & Area happens tonight at Riverview Curling Club.  Doors open at 6:30PM, meeting begins at 7PM. A maximum of 25 additional members can register for this group. Contact Brandon Area Community Foundation at 204.571.0529 for details. At the first meeting in May, 2016, $3,000.00 was given to the Crohn’s & Colitis Westman Chapter who are using the funds to launch an awareness project to support people and families living with IBD.