The Wilkes Community College Small Business Center client places second in North Carolina’s inaugural SBCN Startup Showdown, earning $20,000 in unrestricted funding. Victoria Gadbois, founder of Victorious Wellness, received the award.
The planned women’s wellness centre would bring skincare, wellness services and education together in Wilkes County. Gadbois competed among 17 finalists selected from 316 applicants across the state.
Client Places Second After Statewide Pitch Programme
Winners were announced Sept. 17 during an invitation-only awards celebration in Raleigh. The event recognised entrepreneurs supported by community college small business centres.
Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt and N.C. Secretary of State Elaine Marshall attended. N.C. Community College System Acting President and CEO Dr. Monty Sullivan also joined state and local leaders.
The college client places second following a four-month competition, according to the local news report. Finalists completed the REAL Entrepreneurship “Pitch It!” programme before presenting their ventures at a statewide Pitch Day.
Gadbois worked closely with the college’s Small Business Center advisors over several months. The eight-session training helped finalists sharpen business plans, financial projections and pitch presentations.
SBCN instructors led the programme. A panel of business and entrepreneurship leaders evaluated the pitches alongside a separate public voting component.
Related Breaking 9 to 5 coverage examines a separate small business pitch competition. That initiative concerns Austin rather than North Carolina’s statewide event.
Public Voting Supported The Finalists
The public voting period ran Sept. 1-15 on the North Carolina Small Business Center Network’s YouTube channel. Viewers could support a favourite pitch by liking its video.
Finalists’ videos generated more than 41,000 views and 9,300 votes statewide. Community voting accounted for approximately 20% of each finalist’s final score.
The judging panel determined the remaining 80%. Those figures describe the competition’s scoring process, rather than the performance of any individual venture.
Dan Spangler of Rinse-A-Poo placed first and received $30,000. The Coastal Carolina Community College Small Business Center supported that venture.
Phil McNutt of The Gilded Lantern Co. placed third and received $10,000. The Montgomery Community College Small Business Center supported McNutt.
The inaugural cohort included technology, advanced manufacturing, childcare, commercial and consumer products, health and wellness, and entertainment ventures. Gadbois represented northwest North Carolina.
Separate related reading covers small business grant awards and local business advisory support. Those stories involve different programmes and recipients.
Client Places Second With Unrestricted Startup Funding
The Startup Showdown combines a funding partnership with the Wells Fargo Foundation and support from community college organisations. It is a collaborative effort involving the North Carolina Community College System.
The Small Business Center Network and North Carolina Community Colleges Foundation also participate. The programme aims to connect entrepreneurs with business education, mentorship, resources and visibility.
Laurie Brintle-Jarvis, Director of the Wilkes Community College Small Business Center, praised Gadbois’s preparation. Brintle-Jarvis said the team looked forward to Victorious Wellness taking its next steps in Wilkes County.
“She poured everything into this competition, and to see that hard work recognized on a statewide stage, alongside sixteen other talented entrepreneurs from across North Carolina, means so much to our team,” Brintle-Jarvis said.
“Placing second in the Startup Showdown is one of the proudest moments of my life. This journey has meant everything to me, and to see my vision for Victorious Wellness recognized on a stage like this is something I will never forget,” Gadbois said.
Gadbois also thanked the Small Business Center, family, friends and community for supporting the venture. The centre thanked people who watched, voted for and shared the pitch video.
The proposed services also include intentional touch and opportunities for human connection. The source describes a space designed to support women who hold families and communities together, rather than an already operating facility.
Victorious Wellness remains a planned centre, according to the report. The award provides unrestricted startup funding while Gadbois works toward that proposed Wilkes County business.