TEXARKANA MAGAZINE
2022 Pitch It Texarkana commitee members and volunteers—(l-r) front: Natalie Haywood and Robbin Bass; back: Judy Morgan, Mel Walsh, Lisa Sitterley, Lesley Dukelow, Trish Reed, and Patricia Cunningham.
skills. At the end of the competition, the highest scoring contestant will be awarded a $7,500 cash prize, while second and third-place winners will be awarded $5,000 and $2,500 respectively. Pitch It Texarkana’s goal is to support budding entrepreneurs who want to start businesses here locally to help grow Texarkana’s jobs and wealth. “Last year during our inaugural Pitch It Texarkana competition, we heard some very cool pitches for new and needed businesses for our area,” Dukelow said. “We want to be the push that brings these ideas to fruition and, at the same time, remind people that starting your own business doesn’t have to be just a dream—that Pitch It and other organizations in town are here to help.” At last year’s inaugural event, the top prize went to contestant Jesse Darby-Tillis II for his e-sports gaming lounge idea. Darby- Tillis wowed the judges by explaining how a local brick and mortar space would allow gamers of all skill levels to gather and compete while simultaneously offering positive skill-building activities for Texarkana’s youth. Second-place winner Ren Overlock manufactured a ratchet strap prototype for trucks and trailers that regularly tie down cargo loads. Brittney Haynes, the third-place winner of the 2022 competition, imagined a zero waste/refill store in Texarkana with the dream of providing an eco-friendly alternative to shopping for household products like laundry detergent without all the excess packaging and toxic plastics. “Pitch It Texarkana will ideally become part of the fabric of our community, supporting and nurturing business ideas and the people with the passion and ambition to grow Texarkana,” Dukelow said. The next round of the Pitch It Texarkana entrepreneurial idea competition is Thursday, March 30, 2023, at Crossties Event Venue in downtown Texarkana. For more information and to sign up for your chance to win $7,500 in just three short minutes, apply today at pitchittexarkana.com .
Red River Federal Credit Union President/CEO Brad Bailey presents Jesse Darby-Tillis II with the first place check.
The top five finalists for 2022 Pitch It Texarkana: Jorge Morales, Brittney Haynes, Jesse Darby-Tillis II, Antony Hopkins, and Ren Overlock.
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COMMUNITY & CULTURE
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