Finalists Compete For $25,000 Prize In Small Biz Salute Pitch Off Contest
July 16 2018 - 11:00AM
The UPS Store, Inc. and Inc. Magazine have announced the three
finalists for the Small Biz Salute Pitch Off, a national
competition that will reward one small business owner with $25,000
and an editorial feature in Inc. Magazine to help grow their
business.
On August 8, Keitha Dendy of League City, Texas; Megan Eddings
of Houston, Texas; and Bryanne Leeming of Boston, Massachusetts
will compete at the Small Biz Salute Pitch Off event in Detroit,
Michigan where the grand prize winner will be announced during the
event.
“We are thrilled for Keitha, Megan and Bryanne as they advance
in our Small Biz Salute Pitch Off competition,” said Michelle Van
Slyke, senior vice president of sales and marketing for The UPS
Store, Inc. “These women entrepreneurs represent the tenacity and
ingenuity of small business owners across the nation who enrich our
communities and inspire others to consider starting a
business.”
At the Pitch Off event, each finalist will face a live audience
and all-star panel of small business experts including Bravo
TV host Tabatha Coffey, Detroit’s own five-time tech entrepreneur
Josh Linkner, Wolverines alum and former NFL linebacker Dhani
Jones, and Inc. Magazine executive editor Jon Fine. Each contestant
will present and answer questions from the judges.
“These finalists have a unique opportunity to tell the world
what makes their small businesses great,” said Linkner. “Presenting
their ideas in front of a live audience is truly a test of poise
and confidence and we look forward to seeing their passion for
their businesses shine through.”
After more than 2,000 individuals responded to a nationwide call
for online pitch submissions, thousands voted online to narrow a
field of 10 semi-finalists to the top 3 finalists, each with a
different enterprise and background:
- Keitha Dendy, Home Made Luxe – League City,
Texas: Founded by a busy mother of twins, Home Made Luxe
is a subscription box service that delivers craft kits for home
décor projects. Through craft kits and craft nights, Dendy strives
to provide women opportunities for self-care. The prize earnings
would fund Home Made Luxe’s marketing and communications
efforts.
- Megan Eddings, Accel Lifestyle – Houston,
Texas: Designed by a creative chemist, Accel Lifestyle
makes ethical active wear designed with patent-pending
antimicrobial fabric, which is sourced and made in the United
States. Eddings would use the awarded cash for marketing and
product development.
- Bryanne Leeming, Unruly Splats – Boston,
Massachusetts: Unruly Splats blends physical exercise and
STEM education with its programmable light-up buttons. Leeming, a
college athlete and STEM enthusiast, wants to inspire children to
be creative and healthy. The prize money would help the business
ship units to customers and develop hands-on curriculum for use
with the product.
The UPS Store and Inc. Magazine invite startups, local
entrepreneurs and business owners to attend the live Small Biz
Salute Pitch Off event from 5 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, August 8 at
the historic Gem Theatre in downtown Detroit. During the
competition, each finalist will have 3 minutes to pitch their
business to the judges. In addition to the competition, there will
be networking activities, a live Q&A with the panel of judges
and opportunities for prizes and giveaways.
To learn more about the Small Biz Salute Pitch Off, finalists
and judges, visit www.theupsstore.com/smallbizsalute.
RULES & REGULATIONS: The Small Biz Salute pitch-off
contest is open to owners of small business owners only. No
purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Grand prize of $25,000
and editorial feature in Inc. Magazine. Must be 18 or older as of
3/21/18 to enter. Contest entry ended 5/4/18.
Visit inc.com/theupsstore/rules for complete and official
rules. Sponsored by The UPS Store, Inc., 6060 Cornerstone
Court West San Diego, CA 92121 and Mansueto Ventures LLC, d.b.a
Inc. Magazine, 250 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10007.
About The UPS Store With approximately 5,000
locations across North America, The UPS Store® network comprises
the nation’s largest franchise system of retail shipping, postal,
print and business service centers. The UPS Store locations in the
U.S. are independently owned and operated by licensed franchisees
of The UPS Store, Inc., a subsidiary of UPS (NYSE: UPS). Services,
products, pricing and hours of operation may vary by location. For
additional information on The UPS Store, visit theupsstore.com. For
information on franchise opportunities for opening a The UPS Store
location, visit www.theupsstorefranchise.com. Follow The UPS Store
on Twitter at @TheUPSStore and like The UPS Store on Facebook at
facebook.com/theupsstore.
About Inc. Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005
by Mansueto Ventures, Inc. is the only major brand dedicated
exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies,
with the aim to deliver real solutions for today's innovative
company builders. Winner of Advertising Age’s “The A-List” in
January 2015, and the National Magazine Award for General
Excellence in both 2014 and 2012. Total monthly audience reach for
the brand has grown significantly from 2,000,000 in 2010 to over
40,000,000 today. For more information, visit
https://www.inc.com/.
Staci Reidinger
The UPS Store
858-455-8982
sreidinger@upsstore.com
Media are invited to attend the Small Biz Salute Pitch Off event on August 8. Please contact publicrelations@upsstore.com if interested in covering this event.
United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024
United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024