Shannon Schmelzer, owner of Shannon's Unshelled lobster shack, has been awarded a $1,000 grant in the Company Corporation's Quarterly Business Plan Contest.

According to the chairman of the Delaware company’s business plan committee, Jim Wetzel, Schmelzer's ideas had a level of commitment they didn't often see from submissions.

“She took the time to get approval from the town and had everything planned out. A real hands-on approach that we appreciated,” Wetzel said.

Another member of the committee, John Meyer, has been following up with Schmelzer and getting photos of the construction.

“A lot of things caught our attention with her plan. It's a unique business, not something we typically see here,” Meyer said. “A lot of business plans have to do with creating apps or websites, and this really goes back to the 'mom and pop' type of business we were looking for.

“And, on a selfish note, it caught my attention because I love lobster tails.”

To win, Schmelzer submitted her business plan, condensed into a single page. Since her actual business plan is 60 pages, that was a lot of cramming.

“It wasn't even a week later, after submitting the plan that I was contacted telling me I won,” Schmelzer said. “And the company has been great, putting me in touch with consultants and asking me for a video once we're open to promote the business.”

Schmelzer is planning on using the grant towards her start-up costs, which have been higher than she anticipated.

“I could have spent less on this, but I wanted it to be perfect and really complement the town and the surrounding area,” Schmelzer said. “I won't go halfway, and if something doesn't work I try again until we get it right.”

Schmelzer hopes to be open sometime in early to mid June. She was inspired to open the shack because while working on the pier in the summer, frequently people would come in looking for a quick lobster roll to go — and there was no where to get that.

Schmelzer has also decided to “pay it forward” to bring more young business entrepreneurs into town. She has created the Russell Abbott Schmelzer grant, which she named after her grandfather, to “offer what the local community of Boothbay Harbor gave me, the opportunity to succeed,” Schmelzer said. A jar will be on the counter, but it won't be for tips. Instead, any money placed in the jar will go towards the grant and people can donate directly as well.

“I want to help young entrepreneurs such as myself think outside of the box and start their own future in this community,” Schmelzer said. For more information on Shannon's Unshelled visit www.shannonsunshelled.biz.