Scion
announced today the 10 talented and passionate young entrepreneurs who
each won a Scion vehicle, Scion accessories, $10,000 and career
mentoring as part of the Motivate program. The winners include a
nonprofit music program leader, documentary filmmaker and a graphic
designer, reflecting the competitive program's focus on the creative
arts community.
Launched in October, the Motivate program drew applications from all
over the country that described individuals' variety of entrepreneurial
goals and efforts around art, fashion, music and film. A panel selected
50 semi-finalists to participate in a three-day workshop last week in
Santa Monica, Calif. with leading entrepreneurs covering topics such as
growing sales, establishing a physical space and online development. The
participants incorporated new insights learned into their Motivate
entries and final winners were chosen. The 10 winners are:
Jahmal C. of Chicago, an author and publisher
Jeff P. of Denver, a backpack manufacturer
Kate B. of Portland, Ore., a co-owner of a touring theater company
Lily S. of Dallas, an owner of a graphic design and letterpress company
Peter K. of Villa Park, Ill., a digital music magazine publisher
Philip G. of Nashville, Tenn., a nonprofit music program leader
Reed G. of Annapolis, Md., an artist and import retail store owner
Roseli I. of Oakland, Calif., an import accessories business owner
Tobi A. of San Francisco, a custom wood product designer
William T. of Chicago, a documentary filmmaker
All
winners will be individually paired with a relevant business mentor for
future career-building and had their choice of any Scion vehicle. The
remaining semi-finalists each received a $1,000 grant and left the
workshop with helpful industry knowledge that they can apply to their
business moving forward.
“We've learned so much and winning the prize, it means the world to
me and my business,” said Kate B. “I won the Scion xB and that will make
a huge difference for my company. It’s a touring theater company, and
we'll be able to tour safely and fit everything we need to in our car.”
Reed G. also chose the xB for her fair trade accessories boutique.
“My business now revolves a lot around being transient, so I go to
festivals, I vend, so to have a very reliable car and one that has a lot
of space to carry my inventory is pretty amazing,” she said. “Even if I
hadn’t won this amazing prize, I still just felt like it was so
beneficial for me as a business owner to be involved in this amazing
workshop.”
Other winners planned to use the new vehicles as part of their
marketing efforts by wrapping them with custom designs. Winners already
had plans for how they would invest the prize money back into their
businesses, including new equipment and increasing their online
presences.
“The Motivate winners live and breathe the passion Scion hoped to
find and elevate through this first-ever program for young
entrepreneurs,” said Scion Vice President Doug Murtha. “These
individuals’ continued success is what we wish for all of our customers,
who continue to show us they relate to forging their own paths and
creative expression. In its 10 years, that passion remains part of the
Scion story.”
Courtesy of House of Japan
"I was recommended to this dealership by my aunt who had purchased a Toyota there a few years prior. I was very pleased by the friendliness and honesty of the sales staff. They made leasing my first new car super easy! Thanks."- cpmackin8
