On a day when nine entrepreneurs compete for three $10,000 grand prizes, you’d expect to feel the electricity of nerves and anticipation. And yet, the word going around during the lead-up to the event was
“Wow, everyone’s so chill.”
It wasn’t that they weren’t nervous; some certainly were. But this energy was balanced out by the feeling that just getting this far was a win in itself.
IMPACT Pitch is unique in its rigor and focus. Organized by Business Impact NW to further businesses with a positive community impact, it puts participants through five exacting rounds: “Value Proposition and Impact,” “Market, Revenue, Operations and Strategy,” and “Financial Feasibility,” followed by a marketing video and final live pitch.
The final event was held on October 1st at South Seattle College’s Jerry Brockey Center. Founders competed for grand prizes of $10,000 in three separate categories: Startup Stage, Early Stage, and Established Stage. They’d already received $1,000 each for making it to the final round, and five $1,000 Community Impact Awards had been given out earlier in the competition.
Additionally, one of the nine finalists would receive $1,000 for the audience-voted Best Marketing Video award. Last year’s Best Marketing Video recipient, Pablo Vazquez, was once again in the running, grinning as he recalled being “flooded with emails” after the win.
A diverse group of businesses—all making an impact today
IMPACT Pitch doesn’t zero in on any particular industry; the main criteria for getting past Round One is to have a positive community impact.
The result? Businesses ranging from bone health testing to whimsical activity boxes for children. This year’s nine finalists were:
- Deanna Hoyt of TheraProfessional (Gig Harbor, WA), a boutique insurance credentialing service for mental health providers (Startup Stage)
- Alexandra Kusherets of Mobile REMS (Gig Harbor, WA), a mobile service that expands access to bone health testing (Startup Stage)
- Sarah Howard of Krossfade Enterprises (Boise, ID), a kombucha cocktail line featuring corresponding N/A and vodka-based options (Early Stage)
- Parvati Patil of Tiny Traditions (Seattle, WA), a children’s subscription box service filled with activities related to cultural traditions (Early Stage)
- Pablo Vazquez of TJ’s Street Tacos (Seattle, WA), a late-night kitchen that serves authentic Tijuana-style tacos (Early Stage)
- Federick Brooks of Sound Sports Performance and Training (Lynnwood, WA), a training facility that puts exercise science and education at the forefront (Established Stage)
- Kaniz Shah of Silk & Stone (Portland, OR), a holistic day spa with natural beauty products and services rooted in Eastern traditions (Established Stage)
- Ross Wilkins of Queer Plants Café (Portland, OR), a café, plant shop, and retail business all rolled into one (Established Stage)
- Joshua Yocum of Crutch Carries (Idaho Falls, ID), a patent-pending solution for carrying drinks while using mobility devices (Established Stage)
These entrepreneurs went above and beyond to meet the needs of people in their communities. For example, Pablo Vazquez’s taco kitchen gave out free tacos, rice, and beans to families who suffered during the EBT shutdown.
Many businesses grew out of a need that the entrepreneurs experienced personally. Joshua Yocum designed his bolt-in aluminum drink holder after spending five months on crutches. Deanna Hoyt formally launched her insurance credentialing business in May after years of doing it for people as a favor.
IMPACT Pitch is no cinch, and that’s by design
The first four rounds put the entrepreneurs through their paces. Finalist Ross Wilkins of Queer Plants Café LLC likened it to completing “a three-credit course” on top of a 60-hour workweek. And that’s part of what makes it so helpful.
“In my opinion, IMPACT Pitch is the best pitch contest, because you work harder to get here,” says Joshua of Crutch Carries, a 2x finalist. “I thought I learned a lot last year … I learned even more this year!”
Business Impact NW coaches guide contestants through the process. “We’re trying to get to people on the ground floor so that you really know how to talk about your business,” explains Project Manager Adra Davis.
The information from the various rounds has real applications. Federick Brooks used his Round Three financial projections to expand into a bigger facility.
For many participants, pitching was a chance to get the word out and also prepare to be more active in marketing. Alexandra Kusherets of Mobile REMS—who wore a Back to the Future-inspired outfit to emphasize that bone issues start before you realize there’s a problem—called it “an amazing opportunity to learn how to deliver my message.”
For Kaniz Shah of Silk and Stone, it was a step towards making more marketing videos. “My product needs videos where I show people how to mix things properly,” she explains, noting her anxiety around being on camera. “Maybe this will help me get rid of that anxiety and do more for my product.”
A sense of accomplishment shared by all
After the welcome speeches, each entrepreneur delivered a five-minute pitch after their marketing video played. A panel of judges then asked personalized questions, digging into value propositions, feasibility, and target clientele.
The judges were:
- Adfia Bristol, founder of YES MA! Backyard Farm and 2025 IMPACT Pitch Early Stage winner
- Hazelmae Overturf, Vice President of Impact at Harborstone Credit Union
- Joe Nguyễn, President & CEO of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.
Finalists were glowing after their time up on the stage.
“Oh my goodness, it was amazing, I loved it!” gushed Parvati Patil of Tiny Traditions. “The judges had such really good, thoughtful questions. It felt like I was in a mini-Shark Tank!”
And The Winners Are...
After a 30-minute intermission during which the judges deliberated, the winners were announced. Best Marketing Video went to Federick Brooks, who also took top prize for Established Stage businesses. He’ll use the prize money to purchase more gym equipment and hire more staff.
Covering staffing needs are front and center for Deanna Hoyt, who won in the Startup Stage category. “We have so much demand,” she says. “It’s wild how many people need [TheraProfessional’s insurance credentialing services].”
Pablo Vazquez, who was awarded the $10,000 for Early Stage businesses, is looking forward to putting his prize money towards opening up a new, family-friendly location with daytime hours of operation. (TJ’s Street Tacos currently operates as a ghost kitchen inside Captain Blacks, a 21+ establishment.)
Prize winnings or no, finalists’ spirits were running high at IMPACT Pitch.
“I went up there and just had fun!” says Sarah Howard of Krossfade Enterprises. “Working with this group of people from Business Impact NW has been an absolute gift and a joy. And they’ve just treated us so incredibly well.”
Business Impact NW thanks our Presenting Sponsor, Harborstone Credit Union, for generously supporting a competition that makes small businesses stronger and gives entrepreneurs the skills they need to keep succeeding.
We also extend our heartfelt thanks to JPMorganChase, Amazon, 1st Security Bank, Columbia Bank, WaFd Bank, TaxUSign, Beneficial State Bank, KeyBank, Seattle Latino Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Georgetown Brewing Co., Fidelitas Wines and JSB Video for their sponsorships.
About the author
Robin Kallsen
Robin Kallsen is a Seattle-based freelance copywriter who crafts detailed, fun-to-read articles on market research, cybersecurity, and other topics. She’s also a musician who busks at Pike Place Market during the tourist season, playing bass while singing vintage jazz, blues, and French songs.