How would you like to win an entire business? The owner of a Largo hydroponics and organic gardening store on Ulmerton Road just launched an essay contest to find the next owner for his company of 25 years.
Simply Hydroponics & Organics owner, Allan Bednar, is ready to start a new chapter in his life.
Instead of selling his business, and the valuable land it sits on, Bednar has decided to give it away in an essay contest.
Each contestant has 250 words to explain why they want to own a Hydroponics shop. It costs $100 to submit an essay plus a $15 handling fee. Bednar says this helps limit the entries to those that are serious, and hopefully provides some compensation in exchange for the business.
Bednar says there is no catch. He simply wants to find the right person to take on his livelihood.
The winning essay writer will receive:
- The building and land at 7949 Ulmerton Rd.
- Inventory
- Website and social media accounts
- Access to client database
Bednar says the company is profitable and debt free. The land and building alone are estimated to be valued at around $250,000.
Why not just put it on the market? Bednar wants to find a person who'll be a steward of what he's built.
"I want to make sure our customers will still be taken care of in the same way. After all these years, many of them are like family and we feel the same about our staff.”
Bednar also wants to make sure money isn’t an obstacle for someone who is passionate about the hydroponic business.
Bednar actually got the idea from a New England Bed and Breakfast owner who did the exact same thing: chose a winning essay writer to take over their business.
Entrees can be submitted at www.simplyhydro.com from now until March 15. A winner will be chosen by April 2.
