On February 18th, 2020, Mrs. Corporate America 2019 Candi Bryan won the PropelHER Pitch Competition hosted by the Orlando chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO).
I’m so grateful to Ms./Mrs. Corporate America Organization for connecting me to so many organizations in Central Florida which paved the way for this opportunity. So much more to come, friends. God is good. I’m just getting started.
Candi Bryan, Mrs. Corporate America 2019
Bryan received $4,000 to help offset start-up costs for her business, Luxe Pink, that provides garments for Breast Cancer Survivors.
NAWBO Orlando’s PropelHER Pitch Competition is a life-changing experience. Thank you to Cassi Willard, Ericka Dunlap, NAWBO’s wonderful team, & the judges for believing in this survivor’s dream to provide comfort wear to people around the world.
Candi Bryan, Mrs. Corporate America 2019
As someone who was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer a few years ago, Bryan used her recovery pain points to create a unique business idea that would benefit others facing the same struggles she experienced.
“I remember sitting in a chair recovering from a mastectomy. I couldn’t find anything to wear that made me feel beautiful and could hold the drainage tubes coming out of my body. I was using safety pins to pin the tubes to the inside of my clothing. It was awful so I knew I had to make something better”.
Three years later and the idea continued to ignite a powerful vision in Bryan’s heart so she stepped out on faith and shared her idea in the NAWBO Orlando PropelHER Pitch Competition.
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Bryan collected pertinent information and reached out to others to ensure her pitch was a success.
“I did my research on hospitals and gowns and identified ways my garments could be used. I spoke to University of Central Florida business coaches and professional speakers to get feedback and watched other pitch competitions to get an idea of what the winners did to be successful.”
During the NAWBO Orlando PropelHER Pitch Competition, the finalists in the Emerging and Established Business Categories were given one chance to present on stage in front of a live audience and expert panel of judges for a chance to win. The first interview with the judges was 20 minutes. But the second interview was only 5 minutes!
“I prayed and meditated on my why and my testimony. I want to own my own business but I also want to help people,” says Bryan. “Most of all I want to leave a legacy and generational wealth to my family.”
The secret to Bryan’s victory was found in her message.
“I had a story and a goal to help others. The product was very simple and easy to understand how it could benefit people. Most of all, it was easy to see how Luxe Pink products could be sold worldwide.”
Do you think you have what it takes to win a pitch contest? Bryan shares advice for other founders who wants to use pitch competitions to get their start-up off the ground:
“Keep the presentation simple and use story-telling. Connect to the judges’ heads and their emotions,” says Bryan. “You should also have a short and sweet financial slide that highlights important numbers such as retail price, the investment needed, profit margins, manufacturing costs, and an estimate of units you will sell in a given time frame if you have a product.”
About NAWBO:NAWBO was founded in 1975 and currently represents over 10 million women-owned businesses in the United States. NAWBO Chapters all over the world help propel women business owners into greater economic, social, and political spheres of power worldwide.
About Candi Bryan: Candi Bryan won the title of Mrs. Corporate America in June 2019. Bryan is a Sales and Project Manager who has spent the last 20 years working in Corporate America. As a passionate Women’s Breast Health advocate and speaker, she co-founded The Warriors Brunch with Vanessa Echols, created the Good Morning Ladies podcast for women, and released her first women’s devotional called “PEACE & HOPE in the Midst of Cancer”.
Are you the next Ms./Mrs. Corporate America? Join a casting call or event in a city near you!
