Pitch Palooza: Pitch Your Passion to Prosper

This Virtual Event Invites Start-up Entrepreneurs or Seasoned Entrepreneurs to Refine Elevator to Learn, Practice and Perfect.
About this Event

PART 1 - 10:00 AM TO 11:00 AM

MEET THE SPEAKERS/PRESENTERS

Vincent “Vinnie” P. Cuccia of Planet Pepper(www.planetpeppernyc.com) - presenting ideas on how to pitch your business. Vincent P. Cuccia is an award-winning entrepreneur and judge for the Startup Boost Competition. He runs Planet Pepper, a retail/manufacturing operation that makes hip/butt pads for afab women, trans women, crossdressers, and drag queens. Planet Pepper has inspired confidence and the pursuit of happiness in people for 15 years. He also is an Adjunct Professor at Kingsborough Community College/CUNY and Dutchess Community College/SUNY where he teaches public speaking and business communication. Through his college work, he has prepared hundreds of students to organize and deliver winning persuasive presentations on various subjects. Finally, he won a major government grant by pitching his company. He is both disabled and openly gay and looks forward to building your confidence.

Keri Pratico of Pursuit Lending - presenting on how to pitch specifically to lenders. Keri Pratico serves as the AVP and Senior Business Development Officer at Pursuit's Headquarters in Albany, NY. She graduated from Cornell University with a B.S. in 2004 and brings over 17 years of experience in working with small businesses. Having experience running a small business, Keri possesses valuable firsthand insights that enable her to better understand and empathize with borrowers and business owners. Keri has found her ideal fit at Pursuit, where the mission and vision resonate perfectly with her passions. She is a dedicated advocate for women, minorities, veterans, and low-income individuals.

PART 2 - 11:00 AM - 12:30 AM

WORK ON YOUR PITCH ON YOUR OWN OR WITH A MENTOR

MEET YOUR MENTORS

Beth Dawson, Strategic Change & Communications Leader assisting entrepreneurs one-on-one with their pitches. Beth Dawson loves to do cool stuff with interesting people. Over her 30-year career, she's had the opportunity to work with and learn from interesting people in not-for-profit, higher education, creative spaces, retail, hospitality, government, and CPG. Beth brings her expertise in strategy, communications and leadership development to help teams and people thrive in business. She's currently doing cool stuff as the Director of Strategic Initiatives at Mars Wrigley and Professor of Communications at Temple University.

Lorraine Cox, PhD – Lorraine has over 23 years of experience as a professor and higher education administrator. She came to Union College in 2001 where she serves as an associate professor of Art History. In addition to teaching courses on modern and contemporary art, she teaches The Business of Art & Entrepreneurship, and The Social Impact of Art & Entrepreneurship.

PART 3 - 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM

PITCH YOUR IDEA TO GRANDMOTHERS AND 5TH GRADERS

MEET THE 5TH GRADERS

KJ - a fifth grader from Vermont. He is passionate about all sports, math and technology.

Sasha - a fifth grader from New York. She is passionate about technology,

MEET THE GRANDMOTHERS

Nancy Tanguay – Former Owner of Brown’s Concrete, now retired, grandmother of five grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, three great-grandchildren.

Julia Caro – Deputy Director of Student Programs – New York State Senate – loving grandmother of an undisclosed number.

Barb DiCocco – Former Public Relations Director at New York Power Authority and Board Chair at Bassett Healthcare System now retired, grandmother of nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Carole Heaney – Author, EOL Doula, RN, Grief Guide, grandmother of six grandchildren and one more on the way.

Chris Howard – Founder of Howard Inventions, grandmother of nine.

Diane Rivers Vics – Former Master Trainer with NYS (retired), now Founder/Owner of Manifesting Wellness Naturally and Managing Director of Northeast Thermography Medical Imaging, grandmother of two.

PART 4 - 2:00PM - 3:00 PM

PITCH YOUR IDEA TO LENDERS, SALES MANAGERS & BUSINESS OWNERS

MEET THE BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS

Brandon Badgett, Director of Strategy, The Jahnel Group – Brandon Badgett is the Director of Strategy at Jahnel Group, a custom software development firm based in Schenectady, NY. He is also the co-founder of Rumii, a company dedicated to designing practical accessories for nurses. Additionally, Brandon chairs the Next Generation Board of the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Authority, providing strategic recommendations for the future of thoroughbred racing.

Kelli Costa & Nick Johnson – Former Owners of Gallery Seven in Maynard, MA – now retired.

James Mitchell – Founder of Young Futures LLC

Keri Pratico, AVP, Senior Business Development Officer, Pursuit Lending –

Keri Pratico serves as the AVP and Senior Business Development Officer at Pursuit's Headquarters in Albany, NY. She graduated from Cornell University with a B.S. in 2004 and brings over 17 years of experience in working with small businesses. Having experience running a small business, Keri possesses valuable firsthand insights that enable her to better understand and empathize with borrowers and business owners. Keri has found her ideal fit at Pursuit, where the mission and vision resonate perfectly with her passions. She is a dedicated advocate for women, minorities, veterans, and low-income individuals.

You may attend any portion or all of this program. Presenting is optional. Entrepreneurs will present just to judges not to other attendees.