To attract entrepreneurs to start companies in the Heber Valley, the Wasatch Tourism and Development Office held a contest Sept. 7 offering $4,000 and 700 square feet of office space in the Heber Valley Visitors Center at 477 North Main Street for one year.
The contest was called “Lion’s Den Venture Capital Contest,” playing off the titles of reality-television shows “Shark Tank” and “Dragon’s Den,” said Kati Dodge, event coordinator for the office.
Six entrepreneurs presented their business ideas to a panel of four judges. One was from Wyoming, two were from the Wasatch Front, and three were from the Heber Valley, she said.
The judges were looking for companies that could diversify Wasatch County’s economy. Right now, too many businesses are in the hospitality and tourism industry, and are therefore seasonal. Attracting digital media companies to the Heber Valley is a primary goal, she added.
The winner was Jerry Owens, owner of Owens Gourmet. The company sells high-end herbs, spices and other seasonings. He can move into the top floor of the building on Oct. 1.
Owens said he believes he won because he has already had success with his business plan.
Owens Gourmet was in every Smith’s Food and Drug store several years ago. But then his son got sick, Owens had to scale back, he accrued debt and eventually sold. The new owners were not successful.
Since it worked once, Owens believes it will work again. The panel of judges apparently agreed.
Owens said once he is established again, he hopes to find local growers to produce some of the herbs and spices for him in Wasatch County. Right now, he is focusing on Internet sales.