On Saturday, November 21, REV Birmingham will host the grand finale of its Shark Tank-style business plan contest, The Big Pitch.
Ten local businesses will be competing for seed capital from PNC to help take their startups to the next level. The first place winner will receive $15,000 and second place will receive $5,000, as will the People’s Choice winner. The grand prize winner will also enter into negotiations for investments up to $100,000!
Over the course of this weekend (November 19-21) the 10 finalists will undergo days of grueling preparation with service providers and mentors from some of Birmingham’s top companies. Then, from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, November 21, the finalists will face a panel of expert judges and a public audience to determine who walks away with the prizes.
Here’s why I plan to be in that audience:
I believe in sisterhood. I believe in supporting other female entrepreneurs, especially those who were kind enough to support me. One of the contestants in The Big Pitch is Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn. This company was the sponsor of the See Jane Write Scandal watch party we hosted back in September, donating dozens of bags of popcorn for us to enjoy while we watched Olivia Pope get things handled. I’m attending The Big Pitch Saturday to show my support for Tanesha Sims-Summers and Tiffany Turner, the owners of Naughty But Nice. Click here for a full list of finalists.
I believe you should stay ready so you won’t have to get ready. I have no plans of reaching out to investors for capital for See Jane Write anytime soon, but I believe in being ready for anything. I’m heading to Saturday’s event with my business idea journal and pen in hand so I can take plenty of notes. I want to make note of which pitches were most successful and why so that I can start crafting a pitch of my own. Even if I don’t plan to use this pitch to get seed capital, being clear on who I am and what I do will help me with everything from my elevator pitch to the focus of my blog. It will help me plan future See Jane Write events and revamp my coaching services, too.
I believe a goal without a plan is just a wish. Every blogger and freelance writer needs a business plan. In fact, one of my goals for November is to rewrite my business plan for See Jane Write. I believe watching these 10 local businesses deliver their pitches will help me craft a business plan that will make my dreams for 2016 come true.
I hope to see you Saturday at The Big Pitch. You can order your tickets here.
Thanks for this post. Especially that last point. I’ve been surviving the Christmas rush with my merchandise, but after I get through it, I need to do some serious planning for 2016, so my own business is ready for the next step. Thanks for always inspiring. If I didn’t already have an even this weekend I would be at this one.
Thanks so much for reading. I’m planning to do a post soon to help my Janes with their business plans. So stay tuned!