Five small businesses stepped up to pitch. More than 100 people came out to support them. And under perfect evening skies at Lanier Islands, the Gwinnett Chamber Foundation’s Rock the Range fundraiser, presented by Georgia Power, showed what can happen when a community gets behind businesses ready for their next level.
The evening gave attendees plenty of ways to take part. Professional golf coaches offered instruction, and many guests played a round of six on Georgia’s only night golf course at Legacy Golf Club. Students from Discovery High School volunteered alongside today’s business professionals, representing the talent that will shape Gwinnett’s future.
The Pitch competition, sponsored by SouthState Bank, brought five business owners before a panel of judges drawn from the facilitators, trainers, and coaches of the Foundation’s Small Business Impact Institute. Each owner had the chance to put their business and its potential into words before people who know what it takes to grow.
Josephine Apuri of Gaddiel Homecare Service, Alana Hardison of MM Williamson and Melanie Hoit of Creative Enterprises were selected as the competition’s three winners. Each will receive a scholarship to participate in the Foundation’s next cohort, a one-hour business consultation with Andrew Pourchier, CPA, or a one-hour marketing consultation with Dave McMullen, president of Media Frenzy Global.
Morgan Chen of Morgan Chen Productions and Candace Devaney of Veracity Asset Solutions also delivered strong pitches, making the most of an opportunity to share their businesses with the judges and the room.
That opportunity is at the heart of the Small Business Impact Institute. Through training and coaching, the Foundation helps business owners strengthen the skills and plans they need to pursue growth. At Rock the Range, guests saw that work in action: owners practiced making their case, experienced professionals gave them their attention, and three left with resources to keep building.
The next opportunity is already here. Applications for the Foundation’s Leveraging Technology for Efficiency & Scale cohort are open through October 1. If you’re ready to take your business further, learn more and apply today. Want to help entrepreneurs do the same? Sponsorships for the cohort are also available.
