Kingsclear First Nation owned business wins $5,000 and a spot in the 2025 Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale in Elsipogtog, New Brunswick
On Saturday, August 30, 2025, Pow Wow Pitch, an Indigenous-led non-profit organization that empowers and supports Indigenous entrepreneurs with access to capital, mentorship, training and support, co-presented by RBC and Mastercard, and with local presenting partners Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) and Women in Business New Brunswick (WBNB), announced Douglas Paul, Founder of Road Dawgz BBQ Snack Shack, from the Kingsclear First Nation as the 2025 Elispogtog Pow Wow Pitch Winner. The First Nation-owned business has won $5,000 for their business and will advance to the 2025 Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale where they will get the chance to win the grand prize of $25,000.
This past Saturday, 16 Indigenous entrepreneurs pitched their businesses live at the Elsipogtog Powwow in Elsipogtog First Nation, New Brunswick, for their chance to win cash prizes to advance their businesses.
Hosts, Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch and Laura Englehart, Economic Development Manager of JEDI, co-emceed the action-packed program, where Indigenous entrepreneurs had the opportunity to pitch their business ideas and businesses in one-minute for their chance to win prizes and support to make their dreams a reality.
Following a first-round open pitch on the morning of Saturday, August 30, judges Holly Brown Bear, Entrepreneur Development Officer at JEDI; Nowlen Augustine, President & Founder at Matnaggewinu Development Corporation; Alishia Hansen-Collette, Project Coordinator at Indigenous Tourism Association of New Brunswick; and Andre Luiz Depes Zanoti, Manager of Partnerships & Startup Developer at Venn Innovation Inc., first shortlisted the ‘Top 10’ entrepreneurs to advance to round two.
To commemorate the 10th anniversary of Pow Wow Pitch, all participants who pitched at Elsipogtog Powwow this year were automatically entered into a special 10-Year Anniversary Raffle for a chance to win one of 10 laptops and 10 phones. The raffle winners were announced during the Top 10 Finalist reveal and celebrated in partnership with the Elsipogtog Powwow community. All laptops and phones were generously donated by Mastercard in support of Indigenous entrepreneurs.
Those who received a free laptop were: Shelly Perley of Jumis Wellness, Riley Gaffney of Wabanaki Software Solutions, Leandre Augustine of Boogz Pizza, Catherine Baxter of Chic Image Consulting, Sofia Simon Baptista of Sugar Design Co., Mallory Sock of MAL (Mi’kmaq Artistic Lady).
Those who received a free phone were: Christian Polchies of People of Eastern Sky Consulting, Nicole Augustine of Piloiangitasi Consultation Services, Lorraine Clair of White Bear Warrior Inc., Paula Koutsomichos of The 20 Fresh Fine Foods, James Augustine of Eagles Spirit Crafts, Edward Martin of 2 Chief Catering, Amber Solomon of Mawiye Catering.
Those who received a free laptop and phone were: Douglas Paul of Real Dawgz BBQ Snack Shack, and Aspen Bear & Steven Turner of Wolastoq Adventures.
The Top 10 were paired up with mentors from Joint Economic Development Initiative, Women in Business New Brunswick, Indigenous Tourism Association of New Brunswick, Matnaggewinu Development Corporation, Venn Innovation Inc., CBDC Northumberland Inc., and Opportunities New Brunswick to help them polish their presentations before they pitched one last time to judges: Nisa Kennedy, Acting Chief Executive Officer at JEDI; Laura Englehart, Economic Development Manager at JEDI; Nacole Charlie, Development Officer of Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs at Women in Business New Brunswick; Naomi Leet, Banking Advisor at RBC, and Jean-Francois Mallet, Business Development Executive at Opportunities New Brunswick.
The 1st Place $5,000 Prize Winner was Douglas Paul from Kingsclear First Nation, Founder of Road Dawgz BBQ Snack Shack, a Maliseet Nation-owned barbecue business serving authentic southern-style smoked meats and comfort foods in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Douglas is passionate about community and creating a safe environment to take in individuals experiencing hardship and giving them a second chance through mentorship and training programs with Road Dawgs BBQ. Douglas pitched to win funds to secure a food truck to be able to take his business across the maritimes, spreading the connection of community through good food.
“I’m proud of building something out of nothing. I went from living on the streets to graduating from culinary school, where I later learned the art of BBQ from a fourth-generation pitmaster. Today, I take pride in seeing the joy on people’s faces when they taste my food and in building this business with my wife—it’s a legacy for our grandchildren.” shared Douglas Paul. “My advice to other Indigenous entrepreneurs is to trust the process and have faith, because that belief will carry you through the challenges.”
The 2nd Place $2,500 Prize Winner was Paula Simon Koutsomichos from Elsipogtog First Nation, Founder of The 20 Fresh Fine Foods, a First Nation-owned catering and pop-up food vendor specializing in Indigenous and Greek cuisines. Paula and her husband, Chef Demitrios Koutsomichos, combined their passions for healthy and tasty foods to provide farm to table options to Elsipogtog and surrounding communities. Paula shared in her pitch that she would use the funds to continue their mission of providing healthy meals by expanding their reach and menu.
“Our biggest accomplishment has been growing from serving just one meal a week to now serving 200 meals at events,” shared Paula Simon Koutsomichos. “For Indigenous entrepreneurs, my advice is to be consistent and keep showing up. If you have a vision, follow it, because even though it will evolve over time, staying true to that path will carry you forward.”
The 3rd Place $1,000 Prize Winner was Sofia Simon-Baptista from Elsipogtog First Nation, Founder of Sugar Design Co., a Maliseet Nation–owned business specializing in custom event planning and decorations, rentals, and hand-designed baked treats. Sugar Design Co.’s mission is to be a leading Indigenous event company for the maritimes known for their stylish and accessible celebrations for all communities. Sophia shared in her pitch that securing funds would help them expand rental inventory, secure storage and a dedicated workspace, and upgrade their equipment to meet demands.
“We are most proud of the impact we’ve been able to make in our community over the past few years, and it motivates us to keep growing,” shared Sofia Simon-Baptista. “To any Indigenous entrepreneurs just starting out, my advice is to just go for it! Reach for your goals with confidence, and you’ll do great.”
The Youth $500 Prize and Fan Favourite $500 Prize Winner was Mallory Sock from Elsipogotog First Nation, Founder of MAL (Mi’kmaq Artistic Lady), a sewing based business specializing in modern and traditional handmade designs from quilts and tote bags, to ribbon skirts. Mallory is a talented youth entrepreneur that started the company with the help and guidance from her mother and grandmother, whom she is grateful to learn her knowledge and traditions from. Mallory shared in her pitch that she will use the funds to purchase an industrial sewing machine and serger to increase her product quality.
“I am most proud of having the courage to start this business, especially as a young Indigenous woman,” shared Mallory Sock. “Not a lot of youth have the courage to take that leap, and I hope my journey inspires them to believe in themselves. My advice is simple: don’t doubt yourself, and just keep going, because with enough passion, determination, and imagination, anything is possible.”
“Congratulations to the winners of the Elispogtog Pow Wow Pitch.” said Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch. “Your passion shows how entrepreneurship can carry culture, identity, and community forward. Miigwech to the Elsipogtog Powwow Committee for hosting us, and a heartfelt thank you to all 16 pitchers whose courage and vision made this day unforgettable.”
All those who pitched will be welcomed into the Pow Wow Pitch community and gain access to a free Indigenous Startup Program, have the opportunity to have their products and services be considered to be featured in the annual Pow Wow Pitch Box, and will receive a free .CA domain courtesy of CIRA.