Every entrepreneur enters the Enthuse Foundation Pitch Competition, hoping to leave with a big check. But that’s not the reality for all the finalists. However, you never know who might be in the room who takes an interest in your business.
In 2020, Chi Nguyen, founder of Purpose Tea, received mentorship and advice from Jack Edwards, a beverage expert and one of the judges that year. Read more about their interaction in #NewToNext, Purpose Tea, Chi Nguyen.
Last year (2022), Delia Hughes and Lindsay Simon, co-founders of Tazzy Candy, caught the eye of Arion Long, founder of Femly. Long, the 2020 Pitch Competition winner, served as a judge for the 2022 event.
Arion offered Delia and Lindsay $1,000 on the spot to assist with Tazzy’s social media efforts and offered to meet with the duo.
We caught up with Delia and Lindsay to learn more about their Pitch Competition experience and how Tazzy Candy, better for you lollipops and hard candy, has grown since the event.
Enthuse Foundation (EF): What was one unexpected takeaway from participating in the Enthuse Foundation Pitch Competition?
Delia Hughes and Lindsay Simon, Tazzy Candy (TC): We connected one-on-one with one of the judges, Arion Long (founder of Femly and 2020 Pitch Competition Winner), who gave us great advice and feedback.
EF: How has Tazzy Candy changed since the Pitch Competition?
TC: Our brand has evolved so much. Also, we’ve both grown tremendously as entrepreneurs, business partners, and people. We developed a new proprietary formula for our candy based on consumer and retailer feedback (which was no easy feat). Additionally, we commercialized the new formula at scale and believe we have built a strong company foundation to have a successful relaunch with our distributor and retailer partners.
EF: I’m sure there are significant learnings from that process. However, returning to the Pitch Competition, what advice would you give other founders applying?
TC: Make sure to explain your value proposition clearly and succinctly and what your special sauce is to make you and your company successful!
EF: We would be remiss if we didn’t mention – there’s a new member of the Tazzy Candy family.
TC: Lindsay gave birth to a beautiful girl, Stella Rae, in May. And very soon, Miss Stella will be joined by new Tazzy Candy products!
Mentoring is extremely important to Enthuse Foundation co-founders Kim Lawton and Kristy Snyder. You never know who you’ll meet at the Enthuse Foundation Pitch Competition and whether they will become your next mentor, lead investor, or new confidante. Don’t miss the opportunity to cross paths with someone who can help take your business from new to next; apply to the 5th Annual Enthuse Foundation Pitch Competition.
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