Participants in the 6-week series, which included events, presentations, including Wilkes EDC staff, were able to test the feasibility of their business ideas. Wilkes EDC was happy to sponsor The Masthead’s Idea Expo because it fits with the organization’s objective to help local businesses and entrepreneurs.
At the end of the program, there was a Pitch Competition at Talia’s Basement Club. Participants pitched their ideas to a group of judges in the style of an elevator pitch. The judges were Lori Brintle-Jarvis from the Small Business Center, Chris Beckwith Taylor from GREENStick Marketing, Wilkes EDC’s marketing manager Francisco Martinez, Karen Barnes from Agile City, and Greg Brady from Anchor Coffee.
The people who ran the Pitch Competition were:
· Carl Bjerke, who has a software system that makes it easier for people in certain fields to meet their reporting obligations;
· Tiger Posey, a place for kids to learn through play and activities outside;
· Luke Jarvis, a food truck by Wilkes Youth Life Development;
· Caleb Drown, making and selling non-alcoholic beer;
· Andy Johnson, a drone service for studying farms;
· Michael Miller, dealership/ag center that focuses on electric vehicles;
· Kris Hurley, building one-of-a-kind private homes;
· Katie Jones, who drops-ships guests’ toiletries and beauty items while they travel.
The winners were chosen by judges based on the strength of the idea, the endurance, the business model, and feasibility. $1,000 was given to Drown, and $500 was given to Jones. Jones will also get free help from GREENStick with promotion and her website. Miller will get help from Chappell Business Strategies for free. Jarvis will be able to print for free at the Print Shop. And Karen Barnes gave each participant a free business coaching lesson.
Wilkes EDC wants to thank Doren Trip, Community Manager at The Masthead, for putting together a great program and event. We also want to praise everyone in the program for how hard they worked and how well they delivered their business pitches. We wish them much success in their business endeavors!
To find out more about the event and schedule, click on the link or scan the QR Code. IDEA EXPO 2023 – The Masthead