The Perfect Pitch. . .opportunity for small businesses

Pride Public Relations has an opportunity for small businesses in the Charlotte area to kick off National Small Business Week. The deadline to enter is April 12.

To kick off National Small Business Week in Charlotte, for the third year, Pride Public Relations will host a free small business seminar Monday, May 20, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Wake Forest University’s uptown Charlotte campus, 200 N. College St. 

The purpose of the event is to educate small business owners about best practices, provide helpful resources and allow business owners an opportunity to interact directly with industry experts and other successful small business owners. 

This year’s event will feature The Perfect Pitch small business competition. Four local entrepreneurs will compete to win a customized small business “Success Package” worth some $5,000.  The competing finalists will give presentations about their businesses and outline a growth plan for the next three years in front of a live audience of fellow small business owners and five judges who will determine the winner.

All Mecklenburg County small business owners and entrepreneurs in operation for a minimum of two years with fifty (50) employees or less are eligible to participate in the competition. Nonprofits and franchises are ineligible.

·         Applying to participate in The Perfect Pitch is simple: Eligible business owners should send an email to pridepr@pridecommunications.net describing their background and current business situation in 500 words or less. Deadline is April 12, 2013. Pride Public Relations will review all applications and select four finalists, based on the clarity, creativity and succinctness of their stories. 

·         Interested in attending this free event? Online registration is required. Please RSVP here www.prideprperfectpitch.eventbrite.com. Space is limited so register today!

 This event is co-sponsored by Wells Fargo Supplier Diversity, North Carolina Department of Transportation, Wake Forest University, SPARK Publications, Pride Public Relations and Pride Magazine.  For more information about this event, including sponsorship information, please email kisha@pridecommunications.net or call 704.375.9553. 

About Pride Public Relations

Pride Public Relations is a full-service agency providing marketing and public relations services for a variety of corporate, government, nonprofit and small business clients.   For more information about Pride Public Relations please visit www.pridepr.net.

The Perfect Pitch Small Business Competition Overview

What?

“The Perfect Pitch” is a component of Staying in the Game, the third annual Small Business Week seminar on May 20, 2013, produced by Pride Public Relations. Four (4) local entrepreneurs compete to win a prize package designed to help their business succeed. Competitors are asked to give a seven-minute presentation outlining a growth plan for the next three years.  Immediately before the competition, the four finalists participate in an interactive entrepreneur panel discussion about best practices for small businesses. This provides an opportunity for them to share their stories with attendees, including obstacles and successes. 

Who can participate?

All established Mecklenburg County for-profit business owners or entrepreneurs in business for at least 2 full years and who employ fifty (50) people or less. Competition is open to all ages and genders.  Participants must provide products or services of value to the Charlotte community.  Nonprofits and franchises are ineligible. 

When is the deadline?

Submissions must be received no later than April 12, 2013 at pridepr@pridecommunications.net. Finalists selected to pitch their businesses at the event will be notified in early May.

How do I apply?

Eligible business owners must send an email to pridepr@pridecommunications.net describing their background and current business situation in 500 words or less. Pride Public Relations will review all applications and select four finalists, based on the clarity, creativity and succinctness of their stories. 

How will the winner be chosen? 

The four finalists will each give a seven-minute pitch to a panel of judges at Staying in the Game on May 20, articulating how they plan to grow their business over the next three years. Five judges will choose the business with the best potential for growth, based on the presentations.

What is the prize? 

The winner will receive a small business “Success Package” valued at $5,000, which includes the following:

·         A brief business profile in Pride Magazine's Multicultural Resource Guide.

·         A quarter-page print ad in Pride Magazine and a banner ad on Pride Magazine’s website.

·         Strategic public relations counsel, including marketing plan development and news release distribution.

·         Registration to Carolinas Minority Supplier Development Council’s 2013 Business Opportunity Conference.

·         Business consultation and services from the North Carolina Minority Economic Development Institute.

·         And much more …