On Saturday, April 27th, JOLTcon hosted its highly anticipated Business Pitch Competition. This event is the second and final part of a 2-part conference series held every semester at Southern University’s T.T. Allain building, dedicated to nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit among the youth.
Under the theme "Creating NextGen Innovators," participants were trained in March at JOLTcon Part 1 on all things business to prepare them for Part 2.
The competition segment saw a unique range of entries, with many teens vying for the top prize. Among them, Kadra Bates emerged victorious with her business pitch for NuturerHer, a mental health and wellness subscription box series. Her innovative concept impressed the judges, earning her a well-deserved $500 cash prize to further her venture.
Prior to the competition, attendees were treated to inspiring talks from guest speakers. Bailey and Harper Galloway, ages 13 and 8, from Posh Pop (read their 225 magazine coverage here). and Zein Clayton, the 19-year-old owner of The Meltdown (read his 225 magazine coverage here), shared their entrepreneurial journeys, motivating teens to pursue their business aspirations with passion and determination.
For those not inclined towards competition, Kirsten Roberson of KRO Management offered step-by-step guidance on registering LLCs, empowering young entrepreneurs to formalize their ventures and set a solid foundation for future growth. Every teen attending this workshop walked out with a full LLC business registration.
JOLTcon's success wouldn't have been possible without the generous support of sponsors such as Louisiana Healthcare Connections, NexusLA, Capitol One, Huey & Angelina Wilson Foundation, Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana, Sparkhound, Baton Rouge Alliance for Students, Charles Lamar Family Foundation, New Schools for Baton Rouge, Kuvare and Southern University, along with generous contributions from individuals passionate about fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.
As JOLTcon continues to inspire and empower the next generation of innovators, it stands as a testament to the community's dedication to cultivating creativity, resilience, and endless possibilities among today's youth. With each event, JOLTcon reinforces its role as a beacon of hope for a future brimming with entrepreneurial spirit and ingenuity. Stay tuned for the next semester of JOLTcon this fall, starting in September.
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