Entrepreneurs pitch their way to NEXT LEVEL

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (September 15, 2022) – Ten Arkansas small business owners stepped in front of a panel of judges to see if they have what it takes to go to the NEXT LEVEL in our Shark Tank-Inspired Pitch Event, held at the Brandon House Cultural and Performing Arts Center.

Mariah Brown with The Vision Project took home the judge’s choice while the audience voted (by cheering!) for Michelle Mothershed with Compassionately Connected for Veterans. 

Mariah Brown is a licensed professional counselor who started her pitch wearing a giant pair of goofy glasses and went on to discuss the importance of therapy.

"It's amazing to inform people about mental health and it should be normalized," says Mariah.

Michelle Mothershed is a veteran who felt called to create an organization that focuses on helping veterans and their families. 

"It was truly an honor and a blessing to be chosen by the audience so CCVI can continue to do the great works in our community and eventually in our state," says Michelle. "I won so we all won."

The winners took home prize packages worth over $4,000 with services. Mary Parham with J. Kelly Referrals surprised the crowd with a donation to The Vision Project of $1,000. Parham was awarded the Minority Legacy Business of the Year award in 2021 as part of Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week.  

“Celebrating and supporting entrepreneurs is an important part of our mission at the Little Rock Regional Chamber,” said Jay Chesshir, President and CEO of the Little Rock Regional Chamber. “We want to make sure each of these business owners has the resources they need to grow their business which ultimately with benefit Little Rock's economic future."