In honor of National Small Business Week, nine entrepreneurs from Southwest Louisiana showcased their innovative ideas in this year’s business pitch contest. The participants included college students and retired individuals, offering a diverse range of concepts.
Among the contestants was Carl Corman who proposed Peddlers, a pedicab advertising business that aimed to cater to the influx of tourists in downtown Lake Charles. Each entrepreneur had only 5 minutes to pitch their ideas and highlight the potential of their business ventures.
Elisabeth Perez introduced a curriculum book on “Louisiana English” to help non-native speakers understand the local dialect while Benoit Johnson showcased his microgreen business, 3rd Day Farms, emphasizing the nutritional benefits of microgreens. Jessica Broussard also presented her custom pottery business and shared her art education background with the judges.
After evaluating the presentations, Benoit Johnson secured first place and received a $5,000 investment in his microgreen business. Carl Corman received second place with $3,000 for Peddlers while Jessica Broussard claimed third place for promoting art in Southwest Louisiana. The Business Incubator of Southwest Louisiana will support these entrepreneurs as they expand their businesses in the region.
