Congratulations to the 2024 “Ready, Set, Pitch!” winner Tana Dukes, The Genuine Ranch Company!
Lowcountry Local First hosted its third annual “Ready, Set, Pitch!” competition on September 21, 2024 to award a $10,000 cash prize to a local entrepreneur. Graduates of the organization’s 12-week Community Business Academy were invited to apply to the competition, submitting videos and pitch decks to an outside review committee. The top five entrepreneurs then received private, one-on-one coaching by Herbert Drayton III of High Mark Capital. The finalists participated in a live pitch event at the Royal Missionary Baptist Family Life & Banquet Center in front of family, friends and a panel of judges. The top five competing entrepreneurs were:
- Nadine Johnson – Your Mobile Tutor (Spring ’24)
- Tana Dukes – The Genuine Ranch (Fall ’22)
- Tremaine Abena Moore – Naturally Geechee (Spring ’24)
- LaShaya Norton – Wanderland Mobile Grocery (Spring ’23)
- Christie Wheeler – Take a Bite Desserts (Spring ’23)
The 2024 Ready, Set, Pitch! $10,000 grand prize was awarded to Tana Dukes of The Genuine Ranch Company. Tana plans to use this funding to hire a marketing firm for rebranding and expanding her online presence, purchase bottling equipment to boost production, and invest in packaging and ingredient inventory.
A special thank you to the coaches and Judges:
- Herbert Drayton III, HI Mark Capital, Lead Coach
- Mary Ann Gilmer, Palmetto Goodwill, Judge
- Stephanie Hall, Estelle Colored Glass, Judge
- Alia Kabba, Cummins, Judge
- Greg Perry, SC Community Loan Fund, Judge
- Laura Brisson, Southern First Bank, Judge
The third annual “Ready, Set, Pitch!” sponsors included: Cummins, South Carolina Community Local Fund, Palmetto Goodwill, Southern First Bank, South Carolina Federal Credit Union, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Omnisend, The Bridge 105.5, El Informador, Epstein Law, Vero Advising and Rising Tide Capital.
