A local woman won first prize at the recent Innovate Manitoba course held at the R.M. of Stanley office located between Winkler and Morden.

Susie Penner, a long-time saleswoman, was awarded $1,000 cash, $700 worth of lawyer fees, and one year of free business banking at RBC for the business pitch competition which took place on the second day of the event.

"It was very nerve-wracking," said Penner, who makes deodorant and dry shampoo out of her kitchen.

At first, Penner didn't know there was anything to win, but after she finished her pitch, one of the judges told her she had sold him within the first minute.

"It's easy selling other people's stuff, but you're putting yourself on the line when you're selling your own," she said.

President of Innovate Manitoba, Jan Lederman, was pleased with the turn-out for the event and how the workshop was received by those attending.

"It's aimed at helping early-stage businesses, or those that have been around for a while but want to grow. It helps them understand what the hurdles might be and the kind of things they need to do to really take off," Lederman said.

According to Lederman, the pitch coaching session on the second day of the workshop, which Penner won, is important for small-business owners to master because it tells a compelling story about their business.

With the money, Penner intends to incorporate her business, SoulDeo Natural Deodorant, so she can order more ingredients and create more products.