Moving and Shaking in Brooklyn: Best Idea Winner Douglas Calhoun

This July, Douglas Calhoun took home a $1,000 grant in the Splashlife Best Idea Contest. The contest, held in partnership with the DIY Business Association, challenged young New York-area entrepreneurs to submit their best creative ideas. Attendees of the DIY Business Conference voted, and Calhoun came out the winner with a smashing concept — MovinginBK: A Guide. The project is a comprehensive video that compiles all the information students and young professionals need to know about relocating to Brooklyn, from tenants rights to broker fees. The Splashlife grant will pay for the entire project, which will help promote the launch of Calhoun's new company, The Queer Interior, a site that "celebrates LGBTQ creatives in Brooklyn through their environments."

Splashlife awarded Calhoun the grant on the same day gay marriage became legal in New York State. “Winning this prize and gay marriage passing on the same night was one of the more cathartic experiences I’ve ever had, I’m overjoyed,” said Calhoun. “It has never been more timely or important in New York State to celebrate LGBTQ homes and families. Their spaces share the narrative of their experience which is changing, for the better.” He's been unbelievably busy getting the MovinginBK project off the ground, but he took a few minutes to tell us more about the winning project:

What made you decide to enter the Best Idea Contest?
"A friend and I had already planned on going to the DIY Brooklyn Business Conference, and when she noticed the contest she shot me an email. I've been working on my own start-up, TheQueerInterior.com, and had been wanting to produce a tenants rights advocacy feature to use as part of our launch, but hadn't yet secured the budget. The Best Idea Grant was exactly what I needed, so I applied."

How'd you rally people to support and vote on your idea?
"Firstly, I'm lucky enough to have some tech-savvy family and a great support system of like-minded creative friends in N.Y.C. who were happy to help. Using Twitter, Facebook, and my Gmail I was able to solicit the first hundred or so votes. With this contest you have the exciting live component where you can view your votes as they are entered, which kept me at the edge of my seat. Once I'd tapped out my friends and family I began a grassroots campaign in my neighborhood, I went to my local coffee shop and bar with a homemade sign that read "Support my local start-up, VOTE HERE." New York City is one of the best places to do this sort of outreach because so many of us are working the daily grind and don't mind helping if it only takes a second."

Any tips on how future grant applicants can shape their entries and win?
"Don't be afraid to reach out multiple times. There is a feeling that you are bugging your friends and that it's annoying. But you'll be shocked how much consistent updating, emailing, and connecting works to your advantage."

What will your Splashlife Grant help you do?
"It's going to do wonders! We are so thrilled. It will facilitate a budget to edit, shoot, and produce a guide for new New Yorkers and natives alike for moving into a new apartment in Brooklyn. It's going to also allow for a small print budget for our website's hard copy materials."

How will your idea help others, specifically those in the 18 - 34 age range?
"There are tons of young couples and single professionals hoping to make New York their home. The move to New York isn't always an easy one. Whether your subletting, renting, squatting, or buying it's always a hassle. This feature will act as a one-stop-shop for tips, links, and resources."