About the 2022 Ready, Set, Pitch Event
Nearly 200 entrepreneurs have graduated from the Good Enterprises Initiative’s Community Business Academy. We have watched these mothers, fathers, sons, daughters and cousins plan for, start, and grow their own businesses. We have seen them overcome obstacles, take risks, and face all kinds of daunting challenges in order to support their families, build wealth, and improve their communities. Lowcountry Local First believes that entrepreneurship is a powerful engine for community change and is committed to seeing these new businesses receive the attention and investment they deserve.
The 2022 “Ready, Set, Pitch!” event was held on December 13th and gave Community Business Academy graduates the opportunity to share their stories, ideas, vision, and plan and our judges selected one talented and driven individual to receive a $10,000 prize to help take their business to the next level.
Congratulations to the winner of the 2022 “Ready, Set, Pitch!” event, Christina Miller, owner of Bert and T’s Desserts.
The top five competing entrepreneurs included:
- Rashaunda Grant, Carolina Cookery
- Kristine Luke, Park Pets
- Christina Miller, Bert & T’s Desserts
- Kimberly Nesmith, Kakes by Kim
- Chinenyem Nwadiugwu, She Biology
A look back at the 2022 Pitch process:
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- September 13: Mandatory information session (Program graduates only. RSVP here.)
Queen St Playhouse: 20 Queen St, Charleston, SC 29401
6:30 – 8 p.m. - October 3: Video submissions due (instructions to be shared)
- October 20: Top 10 entrepreneurs announced (Virtual event; Link to be shared with all applicants)
- October 31: Pitch decks due
- November 14: Top 5 entrepreneurs notified
- Nov 14 – Dec 3: Individual coaching sessions scheduled with top 5 entrepreneurs
- December 3: Ready, Set, Pitch!
Cannon St Art Center: 134 Cannon St, Charleston SC 29403
(parking on-site to left of building), 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Lunch provided - December 5: Winner and top 5 entrepreneurs publicly announced through press release
- September 13: Mandatory information session (Program graduates only. RSVP here.)
A special thank you to the 2022 coaches and judges:
- Herbert Drayton III, Hi Mark Capital
- Stephanie Hall, Estelle Colored Glass
- Deborah McKetty, South Carolina Community Loan Fund
- Jeff Plotner, Brackish
More to be announced!
Top prize funds
provided by:
Supported by:
Charles McClendon
Kathy Salmanowitz
Strategic Partners:
