Downtown Buzz News from the Downtown Winnipeg Business Improvement Zone


Downtown Winnipeg BIZ accepting new applications for Launch It! program


T


he Launch It! Retail Incubator & Pop-up initiative helps to bring new and creative businesses to the downtown by giving entrepreneurs:


• Rent free storefront space to pilot and sell their prod-


ucts and services thanks to partners, Portage Place and Cityplace • Connections to business support services who can help


with everything from grants to business plan development • Networking opportunity with other entrepreneurs Two new Launch It! participants are finding successes


with the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ’s Launch It! Retail Incu- bator. Winnipeg entrepreneurs, Jordan Schimnowski and Richard Harzing, who own Motio Massage and Van Johan respectively, are the newest participants in the rent-free storefront space through the BIZ and partners including Cityplace. Richard Harzing got the idea for his business after watch-


ing the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in 2016. “I thought why not create a company that pays attention


to the issues that men have with underwear?” Richard Harzing didn’t always want to be an entrepre-


neur. Te student turned underwear designer was complet- ing his MBA in sports management when he had a light bulb moment in one of his very first business classes. He quickly got in touch with Futurpreneur Winnipeg


and began developing his first product samples, creating a unique panel system on his underwear offering male lift support. Van Johan for Men was born. Harzing is operating a pop up shop in Cityplace, cour-


tesy of the Downtown BIZ Launch It! Retail incubator and his neighbour in the downtown shopping centre is also a participant in the ongoing BIZ initiative. “Te best part about having a shop in Cityplace has been


the amount of foot traffic,” says Jordan Schimnowski, the 25 year-old owner of Motio Massage therapy. Schimnowski, a


registered massage therapist, has seen his business grow by 100 new clients since opening his Launch It! pop up shop this past January. Jordan’s passion to help people and create human con-


nections weren’t the only reason he started Motio Massage Terapy. Once a broke college graduate, Schimnowski put an ad out online in an attempt to cover his bill payments. “Clients went from two to 15 and I started making a profit, so I decided to register the business,” says Schimnowski. Te pair are nearing the end of their three month term


with Launch It!, but their entrepreneurial journeys are only just beginning. Schimnowski signed a lease with Cityplace to keep Mo-


tio Massage Terapy open for business, and he says he is grateful for the head start. “This is a worthy initiative for young entrepreneurs


because it eases the stress and anxiety many of us have starting out,” he says.


Schimnowski plans to contract out his mobile massage


service and create his own line of products that he has been dreaming of for the past few years. Harzing is also happy to be moving forward in his self-


made business with some help from connections he made at Cityplace. “I chose this path because of the possibilities and creativ-


ity it allows – it drives me, and it gives me an opportunity to challenge myself,” says Harzing. Harzing plans to launch a Kickstarter campaign so he


can continue working on product development, and gain exposure. “My goal is simple, change the game and be considered


the new standard for men’s undies.” Are you an entrepreneur looking to test the waters of


retail? Te Downtown BIZ is now accepting applications for the next phase of Launch It! Read more at www.down- townwinnipegbiz.com/launchit


$1 Million Goal for 6th Annual CEO Sleepout D


owntown Winnipeg BIZ and End Homelessness Winnipeg are proud to be partnering to bring the 6th


annual CEO Sleepout this fall. Tis year’s CEO Sleepout will take place on October 26, 2017 at the RBC Convention Centre and occur during the same week as the National Conference on Ending Homeless- ness. Tis national conference is expected to bring close to 800 delegates from across the country and the goal is to collectively raise $1 million dollars in fundraising this year through the CEO Sleepout. Since 2011, the Downtown Winnipeg


BIZ has committed to help address long- term social and economic costs of home- lessness and since then, over $800,000 has been raised by the private sector. These dollars have helped employ over 137 people experiencing homelessness for more than 51,000 hours of employ- ment — with many of these individuals returning to school or finding permanent full-time work. “The community’s participation has


been critical in raising awareness about homelessness and the need to help people comprehensively off the street and into a


better place,” says Stefano Grande, CEO of Downtown Winnipeg BIZ. “Te com- munity’s participation has also started to break down barriers and together we are creating a more tolerant city. A better downtown is possible and we can start by providing our homeless with a home and helping them keep it, providing support in dealing with their challenges, and creating meaningful jobs to become a part of the community.” You’re invited to participate in the 6th


Annual CEO Sleepout! We’re ready to sign up incredible CEOs who are the change makers in our city to take part in this event and be a champion for ending homeless- ness in Winnipeg. We’re also looking for donations for this event by sponsoring the CEO of your choice or making a direct do- nation to assist the cause. Either way, your support is greatly appreciated. Tax receipts are processed by the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ and are sent directly to donors by mail. To register, make a donation or find out


more about the CEO Sleepout, please visit www.ceosleepout.ca, you can also email info@downtownwinnipegbiz.com or call 204-958-4640 for more information.


downtownwinnipegbiz.com (204) 958-4640


info@downtownwinnipegbiz.com 426 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0C9 May 2017 www.smartbizwpg.com Smart Biz 9


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