Kikel and Wilson, who both live at Bashaw, were among the five finalists to emerge from the first stage of Perfect Pitch — a competition promoting agricultural and rural-based business ideas.
The two 21-year-olds, and nine other participants, each had three minutes to make their case at the Bashaw Agricultural Grounds last Wednesday.
“We had some really cool ideas,” said Jackie Northey, a partner in FarmOn.com — one of the organizations behind the competition.
The others are the Bashaw Agricultural Show Committee, Creating Pathways for Entrepreneurial Families and Growing Forward.
Each finalist will now receive business coaching and mentoring to help them develop and polish their ideas.
“They’ll actually create a business plan, a marketing plan and a strategic plan for their business,” said Northey.
Then in February, they’ll face the judges again — this time for a shot at $25,000 in start-up money to advance their business.
The Perfect Pitch judges were Ross Bricker, president and CEO of AVAC Ltd.; Andy Royea, a farmer, consultant and former owner of Greenline Equipment Sales; Lloyd Steier, a professor in the department of strategic management and organization at the University of Alberta School of Business; and Kathy Lineham, a business consultant.
They heard how Kikel is producing and packaging chemical-free beef, pork, chicken, lamb and turkey at his family’s farm, and hopes to add ducks and geese in the future.
“I’ve noticed more and more people are going organic,” he said of the potential for his provincially inspected operation.
Much of Kikel’s meat is currently being marketed through a retailer in Edmonton, and he wants to expand production.
“There’s definitely a big demand for it.”
Ty Wilson is a budding country singer who needs capital to produce a promotional CD. He described to the judges how he plays gigs where he can and has built a following on Facebook.
“Right now, I’m only playing every other weekend, or so,” he said, adding that he’d like to form a band and tour full time.
Wilson believes the only thing standing in his way is the opportunity to showcase himself.
“This country is starving for new talent.” Other business ideas presented at Perfect Pitch included beef carcass analysis using ultrasound, ag communications services, small land parcels for young farmers, a safety cage system for those working with livestock, a teahouse and customized books for children and their parents.
Open to participants 18 to 30, the competition attracted 10 people from across Alberta and one from Saskatchewan.
Northey said she was pleased with this turnout, considering the short time available to promote the first-time event.
A junior category for youths under 18 drew 22 registrants, even though they weren’t eligible for the prizes.
“They did a great job, too,” said Northey, explaining that the junior competition was held to give these younger people experience talking to potential business partners or investors.
The finalists’ progress will now be documented in online videos, blogs and podcasts, which can be accessed at www.farmmasters.com.
Their Aug. 18 presentations can be seen at www.ustream.tv/recorded/9116676.
Northey is hopeful Perfect Pitch will be repeated next year. She said the experience has shown her that young people want to be optimistic about the prospects for agriculture and rural businesses.
“They need to know that there is opportunity.”
FarmOn.com is a social media website that focuses on agriculture, Creating Pathways for Entrepreneurial Families is an initiative of the Alberta Business Family Institute at the University of Alberta School of Business, and Growing Forward is a federal, provincial and territorial agricultural policy framework.
