Local Entrepreneur Awarded $10,000 Through Pitch Competition

Charleston, SC –  Lowcountry Local First (LLF), a nonprofit focused on economic development centered around local-ownership, hosted its second annual “Ready, Set, Pitch!” competition on September 21, 2024 and awarded a $10,000 cash prize to a local entrepreneur. The Pitch! Competition served as the signature event for the organization’s “Invest Local Season” running July through September. Graduates of the organization’s 12-week Community Business Academy were invited to apply to the competition in August, submitting videos and pitch decks to an outside review committee. The top five entrepreneurs then received private, one-on-one coaching by Herbert Drayton, managing partner of HI Mark Capital. The finalists participated in a live pitch event at the Royal Missionary Family Life & Banquet Center in front of family, friends and a panel of judges.

The top five competing entrepreneurs were:

• Nadine Johnson – Your Mobile Tutor 
• Tana Dukes – The Genuine Ranch 
• Tremaine Abena Moore – Naturally Geechee 
• LaShaya Norton – Wanderland Mobile Grocery 
• Christie Wheeler – Take a Bite Desserts  

The 5 judges were:

• Mary Ann Gilmer, Palmetto Goodwill
• Stephanie Hall, Estelle Colored Glass
• Alia Kabba, Cummins
• Greg Perry, SC Community Loan Fund
• Laura Brisson, Southern First Bank

The 2024 Ready, Set, Pitch! $10,000 grand prize was awarded to Tana Dukes of The Genuine Ranch.
The Genuine Ranch is a mother-owned dressing company, crafting made-from-scratch dressings that aren’t filled with soybean oil but are filled with herbs and spices. The business currently offers online ordering and can be found at various local markets. The funding received will help Tana grow her operations by purchasing bottling equipment and bulk supplies and to contract with a marketing company to grow her brand presence.  

“The five women who made it to the final round of the competition are all contributing to a thriving local economy – they all deserve our support and investment in whatever way we can provide it. They are shining examples of why we offer the Good Enterprises initiative,” said Lowcountry Local First Executive Director, Jacquie Berger. “With training, support, and investment, emerging entrepreneurs like these women can drive positive change, build wealth, and contribute to community wellbeing.”

“Cummins as a whole and CARE (Cummins Advocating for Racial Equity) are committed to developing and giving back to the community, and the championing of this [Pitch] event is an effort to do so in a tangible way,” said Alia Kabba, Project Manufacturing Engineer for Cummins. “There is so much talent in local communities and it's imperative that there are programs and support in place to foster and develop it.”

Another Pitch! finalist, Nadine Johnson, is actively fundraising for her existing start-up, Your Mobile Tutor, on a crowdfunding platform called Kiva, where she hopes to receive a 0% interest loan through the support of her community and a global network of entrepreneurial supporters. This loan will enable her to outfit her mobile tutoring van, launch a new website and more. You can support her business with as little as $25.

“Ready, Set, Pitch!” sponsors included: Cummins, SC Community Loan Fund, Palmetto Goodwill, South Carolina Federal Credit Union, Southern First Bank, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Vero Advising, Omnisend, 105.5 The Bridge, El Informador, Epstein Law LLC

ABOUT LOWCOUNTRY LOCAL FIRST //

Lowcountry Local First advances economic prosperity and local ownership through innovative and inclusive initiatives that build our community’s wealth and wellbeing.