Staff
The Meaford Chamber of Commerce hosted the Dragons’ Den Awards & Presentation Night on November 17. Contestants were presented with cash and prizes as friends, family, and volunteers congratulated them on their success.
First place winners Candice & Michael Ruhl received $3,950 in cash from the dragons for a total of $17,525 in cash and prizes. Their business, Candice Ruhl Designs, offers unique handcrafted sterling silver jewelry. They hope to open a gallery in downtown Meaford.
As the second place winner, Zach Hannam took home $3,950 in cash and prizes. Zach is the co-creator and owner of Zaagi Soap Co. His focus is natural handcrafted soaps using locally grown botanicals. He hopes to expand his business in the community and online.
Audience Choice winner Mark Lewis received $800 from the audience, with $5 from every ticket sold. He also received prizes for a total value of $2,904 in winnings. Mark is a brew master with big plans to establish a brewery in the heart of Meaford using local ingredients to create flavourful brews.
Contestants Tanya Snell and Scott Gooch did not go home empty-handed. They both received $900 in prizes for their participation in the event. Tanya and her team created whatsuphut.com, a smartphone savvy site including businesses, events, community resources and everything in between. She hopes to expand the contemporary tool to include the Municipality of Meaford. Scott is the owner of Bayview Escarpment Fine Furniture & Cabinetry. He crafts custom wood furniture and cabinets, often including unique carvings and design elements.
“The focus of the evening was on continued support for each of the contestants and their businesses. The Chamber of Commerce thanks all of our contestants, dragons, sponsors and the organizing committee for making this show a model of a local business initiative that creates real results for our local economy,” said the Chamber.
The Seventh Annual Dragons’ Den Meaford played to a nearly filled house on October 28 at Meaford Hall. Over $26,000 in cash and prizes were awarded by the dragons and sponsors.
