Following the conference, Business Impact NW (BINW) and Harborstone Credit Union, together with BECU as the platinum sponsor, hosted the IMPACT Pitch Competition for the very first time. The BINW team welcomed the sponsors, semi-finalists, and finalists into the Service Room; soon after, other guests came in and registered for the joyous event.
Eight finalists gave their Pitch Presentations for the chance to win an award that night. There were six awards prepared: Start-up Business $10,000 Award, Established Business $10,000 Award, Women-owned Business $2,000 Award, Minority Business $2,000 Award, Veteran-owned Business $2,000 Award, and Audience Award of $625. After one whole round of presentations, the judges deliberated and decided on the winners based on specific criteria.
Kale Love, a small business which sells healthy and delicious kale chips, presented first; which was then followed by Feirie. Mitzy Leeper, the founder of Feirie, explained her company’s goal, and it is to provide help to survivors of sex trafficking, sexual assault, and domestic violence and grief, giving them the chance to heal from past trauma.
Like Feirie, MiMi Globe Goods is also grounded on alleviating a social issue by giving opportunities to refugee women through her business. Mimi won the Audience Award later on as she garnered the most votes from the participants during the live polling.
Cassie and Ashton Preston, power couple and owners of Steady Flow Growler and the 4th presenter, introduced their store that sells craft beverages and growlers to the panel of judges and audience, proving to them its viability and growth so far. They received the Veteran-owned Business Award.
Kristina Chamberlain and Jennifer Jimenez of Eastside Women’s Health Center won the Women-Owned Award as they not only provide services such as gynecology, lactation, acupuncture, massage therapy, and insemination, but also creates a safe and inclusive environment for women and the LGBT community.
The Riveter, LLC, also managed by two women, won the Start-up Business Award because of the amazing idea behind their business which is to offer co-working spaces for women, contributing to their empowerment and supporting them in their ventures.
Olykraut, a developed business centered on selling gourmet sauerkraut, took home the Established Business Award.
Last but not the least, Life Butta, a business that produces tasty and nourishing nut-butters in small jars, won the Minority Business Award that evening.
It was a splendid and celebratory occasion, indeed, even more so when Joe Sky-Tucker, BINW’s Co-Executive Director, concluded the evening with a $500 gift for all participatory businesses.