‘Selfie gallery’ wins inaugural pitch competition

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — A Terre Haute businesswoman won the top prize in the inaugural Launch P@d pitch competition in the Vigo County city. As a result of the win, Laken Richardson will soon open her new business, Snapped: A Selfie Experience, at a discounted space in downtown Terre Haute.

Snapped is described as a “selfie gallery” in which customers of all ages can use rotating photo backgrounds, themed rooms and more to take photos. Richardson says the business, which can be used for date nights, birthday parties and other events, will target all types of customers.

“Our community has begged for experiences and a selfie gallery is universal to who it would serve; ages five to ninety-five photos are not limited to an audience, everyone takes photos,” Richardson said during her pitch. “It is an interactive and immersive experience with unique backgrounds and staged rooms, perfect for your selfies.”

Richardson plans to open the gallery in November in conjunction with Small Business Saturday. The gallery will be located at 425 Wabash Avenue next to The Saratoga restaurant. The owners of the restaurant also own the space in which the gallery will be located and offered it as part of the competition at a discounted rental rate.

“This has been the most incredible life experience,” said Richardson. “Even if I didn’t win it was one of those milestones that I needed to make for myself.”

Richardson also owns and operates Foam Homies, a party business in Terre Haute.

Launch P@d was established last month by the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce, Launch Terre Haute, and the West Central Indiana Small Business Development Center.