Five local entrepreneurs aimed to help grow their small businesses on Saturday during the IGNITE Vendor Fair and Spark Your Business Pitch Contest at the Fort Museum Opera House.

A panel of judges — Alicia Smith, of the Iowa Small Business Development Center, Justin Faiferlick, also of the SBDC and Mike Larson, of First Interstate Bank — listened to the pitches. The business owners introduced themselves and their business and business concepts, then they explained how they would use the $1,000 that would be awarded to the winner and then they shared the competitive advantage of their business.

“I’m really excited to be here today,” said Valerie Walburn, owner of Wild Spirit Design LLC. “That’s one of the best parts of live shows — the camaraderie and the networking. It’s a lot of fun.”

Walburn, who sells handmade items like cards, bookmarks, prints and more, shared that her business’ competitive advantage is that she is the artist and each piece is unique and she also takes commissions for artwork and products.

-Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert Sheila Roberts, owner of Sheila'z Sweetz Treatz, gives her business pitch to the judges at the IGNITE Spark Your Business Pitch Contest at the Fort Museum Opera House on Saturday.

Being able to customize her products is what helps soap maker Rebecca McCrady keep her business, Boss Bombs and More, competitive. She said any of her products — bath bombs, soaps, body butters, car fresheners and more — can be customized with color, style and scent.

Kyrie Borsay, owner of KD’s Over the Moon on Central Avenue, wants to expand the makerspace in the back of her shop.

“It’s where people can come and I have all kinds of materials and sewing machines and different equipment,” she said. “Wood, plastics, glass, metals, whatever, and you can come in and just make.”

Borsay also offers organized crafting events on Saturdays.

“I will use the funds to grow my makerspace,” she said. “I’d really like to integrate some art technology type stuff.”

-Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert Rebecca McCrady, owner of Boss Bombs and More, gives her business pitch to the judges at the IGNITE Spark Your Business Pitch Contest at the Fort Museum Opera House on Saturday.

Though the bulk of her profits don’t come from the shop’s makerspace, Borsay said, it does get people in the door and creates potential customers.

“I don’t make a lot of money off of the crafting but, for me, it’s more of a sense of satisfaction to see individuals creating and making,” she said. “So I think it’s important to invest in that space for that reason.”

Sheila Roberts, who is also a school counselor at the Early Childhood Center, brought up the vintage Easy Bake Oven she received as a child that sparked her love of baking.

“As a kid, while others just asked for toys and different things, I always wanted an Easy Bake Oven,” she said.

Now, Roberts runs Sheila’z Sweetz Treatz out of her kitchen, where she whips up a variety of baked goods from cookies to cakes to sweet buns and more.

“Sheila’s Sweetz Treatz is dedicated to providing high-quality foods that are affordable and my goal is to be able to cater to all individuals and families,” she said. “The average family spends approximately 37 minutes a day on quality time with their families. Why spend that time baking when Sheila can do it for you?”

Roberts said what sets her aside from competition from larger, corporate bakeries is that she doesn’t use preservatives and her products are made fresh and with “a touch of love.” She’s also working on expanding her products to include sugar-free and gluten-free recipes.

Roberts said, if she were to win the $1,000 prize of the pitch contest — donated by First Interstate Bank — she would use the money to buy a new double-oven so she can have more room to bake and increase productivity.

In the end, Roberts’ pitch catered to the judges’ sweet-tooth and she’s going to be able to get that new oven with her prize money.

The four other small business owners who gave their pitches also received $100 from First Interstate Bank to further their business endeavors.