Hamilton's Lion's Lair finalists go to media boot-camp

Don't wear stripes. Always sound confident. Ask a reporter what they are looking for.

These are some of the tips media trainer Mindy Tweedle gave the 10 Lion's Lair finalists during their media training Wednesday.

Lion's Lair is a business pitch competition jointly run by the Innovation Factory and Hamilton's Chamber of Commerce. The finalists face a panel of Lions, who will select the top business. The winner receives $100,000 to help make their business dream come true.

Every Thursday from now until the fall CBC Hamilton will have a new story about the competition and the people putting their bright ideas on the line.

"I love to put a camera in their face," said Tweedle. "The better they appear on camera, they more exposure they'll get and it'll promote growth in the city."

After each finalist finished on-camera training, CBC Hamilton gave them their very first media interview as Lion's Lair competitors.

The question? Why do Hamiltonians need what your business has to offer?

In the video on this page you'll see tips from Tweedle. Then judge for yourself how well three of the contestants did answering our question. You'll see Shelle Rose Charvet, Micheael Truttmansdorff and Stephanie McLarty.

Hamilton - who answered the question best?

Leave a comment below, send an email or tweet @CBCHamilton or @JkChapsCBC and we'll tally the results.