Arizona Western Small Business Development Center hosts 3rd Annual Pitch Competition
Paul Vozzella
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) – Arizona Western hosted its Third Annual Pitch Competition Thursday, giving small business entrepreneurs in Yuma County and La Paz County the chance to grow their companies.
Several local entrepreneurs were able to give a five minute company pitch in front of a crowd that included over 100 community leaders, from board supervisors to council members.
“So many of us have great pitches,” said Jennifer Ericson, founder of Jennifer Ericson Consulting. “We have great ideas that are going to help our community, so it’s all about coming together as a community, and making Yuma stronger.”
Multiple awards were given out including first and second place finishers for entrepreneurs’ pitches, along with an award for the sponsor’s and audience’s favorite presenter.
John Peel, owner of Busy Drones Cleaners LLC, took home first place for his pressure-washing company that uses drones to clean and focus on elevated windows and solar panels.
“It’s just incredible,” Peel said about winning the competition. “The whole process, they helped us get here, but until you actually do it, until you go up there, it’s totally surreal, and a very cool experience to be able to represent my company.”
In second place was Ana Diaz, founder of ASD Online, a digital marketing agency that focuses on local businesses.
The sponsor’s favorite pick was Ericson with the short-lived, but successful, consulting company.
The audience chose the founder of Pathways Academy, Rebecca Robinette as their favorite pitch competitor of the night.
Outside of winning the audience’s pick, Robinette had other goals to accomplish during the event.
“Regardless of if I place in first or second, [or receive] any monetary prizes, I just want that connection, so that we’re not alone, and we can build our families future,” she said.