The Black and Brown Opportunities for Profit (BBOP) Center, held its inaugural Fast Pitch Competition aimed at investing in Black and Brown women entrepreneurs. Twenty-eight applicants submitted their fast pitch videos, with the hopes of being selected as one of twelve finalists to pitch their businesses for grand prize investments of $3,000, $5,000, and $10,000 cash prizes.

Twelve powerhouse entrepreneurs were selected as finalists based on the criteria outlined prior to the video submissions. Submissions needed to speak to their brand, the business model, value proposition, their competition/market, business model, marketing, and sales strategy, just to name a few.  Businesses pitched ranged from a juice bar, wellness brands, event artisans, a seamstress, and loose-leaf tea.  Each finalist shared their business pitch, followed by questions and comments from the judges within a  15-minute time frame.

“Being a judge for the Black and Brown Opportunities for Profit Center’s first annual Fast-pitch Competition was truly inspiring,” said Elvia Rodriguez, owner of Goldamity Insurance Services.  She further expressed, “It was incredible to hear about the different businesses, ranging from newly established ventures signing their first client to seasoned enterprises looking to scale and advertise.”

This competition provided a unique opportunity for Black and Brown women entrepreneurs to showcase their business ventures, receive invaluable feedback from industry leaders, and compete for a chance to win significant funding and resources to scale their businesses.  The panel of diverse judges was precisely selected to cover a gamut of industries and professional acumen to ensure fair and consistent ratings on the finalists’ pitches.  The judges consisted of Angela Myles, CEO of VMA Consulting Group and host of “The Fundable CEO” podcast; Vanessa Casillas, CEO of Changing Lives Staffing; Marla A. Matime founder and CEO of The MAR.M Agency; Elvia Rodriquez, owner of Goldamity Insurance Services; Kimberly Calvin, Councilwoman for San Bernardino Ward 6 and Director of Akoma Unity Center; and Hilda Kennedy, founder and President of AmPac Business Capital.

At the end of the competition, third-place business investment of $3,000 went to Roxanne Williams of Roxie Brown Town Productions.  Second place of $5,000 went to Daisy Munguia, CEO and founder of Mastery Blueprint.  The grand prize winner of the $10,000 investment was awarded to La Shaunn Spivey-Angeletti, owner of Dream Cultivators, where she pitched her Reflect, Refresh, Retreats which provides other women entrepreneurs with a chance to get away on a destination retreat to allow for them to heal and release their stresses in order to show up fully for their own lives.

“The competition was a phenomenal learning experience and incredibly empowering. Every participant had such impressive pitches that I found myself wanting to invest in, buy, or sign up for their programs. It was truly inspiring to see so much innovation and dedication, said Daisy Munguia, owner of Mastery Blueprint and winner of the $5k investment.  When asked what her immediate future goals are with her investment, she stated, “With Mastery Blueprint, my goal is to start making a tangible impact on the warehouse industry. I hope to make professional development a new norm for frontline employees, elevating their skills and well-being, and transforming the industry from within.”

Vanessa Casillas left the finalists and attendees with a word of encouragement, “You will struggle no matter where you work.  As an Entrepreneur, you get to choose who you struggle for.”

The BBOP Center’s BBOP Business Academy has ongoing open enrollment.  Black and Brown women entrepreneurs are encouraged to take the courses to learn step by step, how to build, grow, and scale their businesses. To learn more about the BBOP Center or to enroll into the BBOP Business Academy, visit www.bbopcenter.com, call (909) 530-2267 or email info@bbopcenter.com.