New competition looking for the next great retail entrepreneur

Do you have an idea for a retail business but need a little help to get started? The Shops at Westshore (formerly Westshore Mall) would be interested in hearing from you.

Set Up Shop @ The Shops is a competition, similar to Shark Tank or American Idol, that will grant the winner one year of a six-year lease term free of cost, plus over $10,000 in media, marketing and operational support from local businesses.

Jean Ramirez, General Manager, says the competition is relatively rule-free and wide open with only one basic requirement: "We are looking to bring in a new concept for Holland."

Ramirez says there are multiple organizations that are involved with both judging and support including Lakeshore Advantage, Colliers and the MI-SBDTC. "The winner will have all the different tools to start a new business."

The panel of judges features several retail veterans. It is comprised of Greg Erne, The Shops at Westshore; Jennifer Owens, Lakeshore Advantage; Steve Jackson, JCPenney; and Mark Ansara, Colliers International | West Michigan.

All local and regional entrepreneurs desiring a storefront are encouraged to apply at: theshopsatwestshore.com/setupshop.

For more information, including timeline, key dates, rules and a detailed outline of the grand prize, you can visit their site here.

Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs