Six Yuma County businesses pitched their big ideas to a panel of judges earlier this month in a local competition aimed at revitalizing small businesses.
A Yuma business owner has been selected for the “Moonshot” pitch competition by the Arizona Western Entrepreneurial College Small Business Development Center.
After several weeks of meeting with SBDC employees and developing and developing presentations about their businesses, small business owners gathered on June 7th at AWC Yuma’s main campus.
They each had five minutes to propose a business plan. Think “Shark Tank.”
The four-judge panel, including AWC President Daniel Coe and Arizona Representative Michele Pena, listened intently.
Pitches included ideas to encourage children to play outside, Zumba exercise classes and mobile welding instruction.
Some of the businesses represented were Elite Fusion and Fabrication, which provides hands-on education in welding; PWRJOULE is a small business that builds sustainable long-term flow battery storage, and Yuma Brew and View is a company that takes coffee bags and turns them into works of art.
After consideration, Back To Nature Learning Center has been announced as the winner of the 2024 Moonshot Rural Arizona Pitch Contest.
Owner Cynthia Bueno said Back 2 Nature is Yuma County’s first outdoor classroom, where children are encouraged to play, explore and learn in natural outdoor spaces.
For winning, Bueno receives a scholarship, entrepreneurial education and mentorship, an invitation to the state pitch contest at Cottonwood, a $1,600 cash prize, an interest-free loan of up to $10,000 from Avenir Financial, and a one-year membership in Yuma. will receive. Chamber of Commerce and Trophies.
“Even though we haven’t opened yet, we’ve already received a lot of interest from families with children who want to join our learning center,” Bueno said.
Brian Nance of Elemental Fitness Club took second place. Back to Nature was named a viewer favorite, and Fitness Spot by Selene, which specializes in Zumba and Bachata dance classes with instructor Selene Hinojosa, was named a sponsor favorite.
SBDC Director Crystal Mendoza said her agency is available to the community, including ongoing public counseling sessions at AWC campuses and libraries in Yuma and La Paz counties.
“The most impressive thing is watching (small business owners) grow,” Mendoza told KAWC. “They come to us and share their dreams.”
SBDC also recognized small businesses in each community it serves. they are:
Yuma El Taco Dorado
San Luis, Arizona – Your Green Salad
Somerton – La Casa del Tamar
Welton – Naked Dating
Parker ~Jane’s Junction~
