Since 2019, Rio Salado College has partnered with Wells Fargo to offer small business owners a chance to win big. The Small Business Pitch contest was created for all Rio students who own a small business that's ready to grow. Applicants submitted videos pitching their business, sharing what they offer to the community, and describing how they would spend their award money. It was a very competitive contest, with many worthy submissions to choose from.
"Our students continue to inspire us with their achievements in their school, business and family life,” said Dr. Lily Davidov, faculty chair for Accounting and Small Business.
Rio Salado thanks Wells Fargo, the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation, NACCE, and the Every Day Entrepreneur Program Fund for their support, as well as college leadership, including President Kate Smith and Vice President Janelle Elias.
Do you also have an entrepreneurial mindset? Join Rio Salado’s StartUp Sprint. You will have 30 days to complete the following Fall StartUp Sprint tasks:
- Create a small business startup plan telling us all about your business.
- Meet with your StartUp Sprint Mentor
- File your LLC paperwork, Trade Name certificate, EIN, and Sales Tax License.
Once you've taken the above steps, you'll submit receipts for payment for the Arizona Corporation Commission, Secretary of State, and Arizona Dept. of Revenue, approximately $120. We will issue a check to reimburse you for those fees.
Now, Rio Salado is proud to announce the four winners for this year’s Small Business Pitch contest.
Small Business Pitch Winners
First Place ($2,500): Dustin Roa, Associate in Applied Science, Accounting,
Dustin Roa is the owner of the Cellar Shop.
“I have a long history in the marching arts,” Roa said. “When I joined my high school marching band, I fell in love with the activity and it has driven my life ever since.”
Roa’s passion for marching bands led to a growing marching band uniform company where Roa not only creates custom costumes but also prints marching band tops. Roa plans to use the award money to buy machines that will take their company to the next level.
“The funds will go toward increasing my production capabilities by purchasing an industrial cover stitch machine,” Roa said. “The machine itself creates a unique type of stitch that finishes a garment with a sturdy, professional seam. Not only does the machine produce a specialty stitch, it is heavy duty and fast. This will increase my production output, as well as handle different types and thicknesses of fabrics. I have been dreaming of acquiring this machine to evolve my business, and the small business grant through Rio Salado will move me one step further along that path.”
Second Place ($2,000): Queen Najwa Johnson, Certificate of Completion, Small Business Management Lv. II
Queen Najwa Johnson is the owner of Maverick and Moreno. Johnson’s business is focused on offering market research, business coaching, and marketing and public relations strategies to help businesses and entrepreneurs in underserved communities.
"I would help small business owners in overlooked populations rewrite their stories and reclaim economic power in the community," Johnson said. "I began to develop Maverick & Moreno from the desire to help entrepreneurs in low-income communities increase their chances of starting, owning, and operating a successful small business whether they're able to obtain funding or not."
Johnson said she plans to use the award to obtain a co-working membership, a digital camera, uniforms, three months of prepaid advertising, and other items to help Maverick and Moreno grow and better serve their clients.
Third Place ($1,500): Ametrice Robinson, Associate in Applied Science, Risk Management and Insurance
Ametrice Robinson is the owner of Step Bright Navigators. Robinson’s business is geared toward “turning clarity into opportunity” by helping financial institutions, small businesses, real estate professionals, and other entrepreneurs deal with ‘fine print’ issues like transactional coordination, underwriting, compliance, risk assessment, and contract management. Robison said she plans to use the award to invest in software and technology upgrades to help streamline her business while also looking to add some muscle to their advertising efforts with targeted digital marketing.
Fourth Place ($800): Santiago Gonzalez, Associate in Business, General
Santiago Gonzalez is the owner of U Stay. U Stay is a “hospitality grade management service” dedicated to providing property owners with a full suite of services to help them manage their rental properties. U Stay helps clients maintain property standards, vet guests, handles vendor coordination, cleaning, and maintenance.
Article by Austin Brietta