Is your business stuck in the past or in need of a helping hand?
The second annual Level-Up My Brand contest gets underway on Feb. 1, with $18,500 in prizes available to the winning business. Entries are being accepted until Feb. 29.
Rich Patterson, one of the co-founders of Level-Up My Brand contest, said the event is for local businesses and organizations, for-profits and non-profits – whether they’re big or small, old or new.
“If an organization feels like they have plateaued and wish to explore what the next level is, this contest is for them,” he said in an email to the Record. “If a small business thinks their brand is stuck in 2002 instead of 2020, this event is for them. If you feel overwhelmed by all the demands, fiscal and organizational, then this contest is for you. A rising tide floats all boats. Let’s all work together to make our organizations and community better.”
Level-Up is a “for-us-by-us” approach that sees local businesses helping other New West organizations. Businesses don’t have to be members of any local organizations in order to apply.
“It’s tough to do business out there in this economic climate,” Patterson said. “We gathered a few local businesses and brainstormed ideas on how we could help our community in our areas of expertise. From there we created the Level-Up My Brand contest to help an organization that might not have the skillset, time or even budget to market themselves.”
Patterson said the finale event is now a tradeshow style event, where 10 finalists and all of the event’s sponsors come together to show off their wares and the finalists make pitches as to why they should win the prize package. Everyone is invited to attend the April 1 finale at 100 Braid St.
Stefania Butkovic, owner-operator of Mindful Mutts, was thrilled that her business won the 2018 contest, which included a $12,000 prize pack. Mindful Mutts is unable to apply for this year’s contest, but previous applicants are encouraged to re-apply for the 2020 contest.
“Winning Level-Up My Brand helped bring me more clients than I could even handle, and that’s a good thing!” she said. “Winning this prized landed me (my) first media attention with the local newspaper. Plus, signage I could never afford and professional services I can’t even believe I lived without.”
Most of last year’s sponsors have returned and new sponsors have been added to the mix.
Here’s what’s up for grabs: a branding audit from Webb Creative ($1,000); a vehicle wrap/vinyl signage from Canawrap ($500); storybrand script consultation by Jon Glen Branding and Marketing Consultant ($2,000); a promotional product (swag) package from Patterson Brands ($2,500 ); print/digital advertising from the New West Record ($2,500); purpose discovery, design philosophy and brand voice from WestCoast Brand Management ($2,000); video production from Crow Motel ($2,000); website service from Kamikaze Consulting ($1,000); lunch with Mayor Jonathan Cote; accounting consult with Seymour Gardner Accounting ($500); print and packaging services from Glenmore Printing ($750); New Westminster Chamber of Commerce membership for any size organization with unlimited event access for one ($2,000); an office party package from Amaranthus restaurant and Steel & Oak Brewing Company ($750); and event sponsorship and event operating funds from the Uptown and Downtown BIAs.
Prizes are non-transferrable, have no cash value and must be redeemed within 12 months. For more information, go www.levelupmybrand.ca.
