Pitch Perfect
05/14/2025
By Brett Buckner
Likely before she could even pronounce the word, Breanna Townsend had a passion for entrepreneurship. Therefore, it stood to reason that the 20-year-old junior marketing major from Fort Payne was drawn to enter the College of Business and Industry’s annual Gamecock Entrepreneurial Pitch Competition (GEPC). “I saw it as the perfect opportunity to grow my business idea into something bigger and better,” said Townsend. “I wanted to challenge myself, and this pitch competition did just that.
Townsend won first place for her pitch on Copper & Olive, which she describes as a modern, faith-based boutique that blends affordable yet high-quality fashion with self-care services - all in a warm, earthy, welcoming space. She designed Copper & Olive to be a place where customers feel valued. “The judge told me he loved the creativity and clarity of my concept, the professional pitch, and the strong potential for community impact,” she said.
As the first-place winner, Townsend received $2,500. Justin Bonner was awarded $1,500 for second place, and Jersey Wilson won $1,000 for third place. But winning provided more than just a cash prize, Townsend said. “It gave me confidence to launch my business idea, real-world experience in business pitching, and strong connections with other young entrepreneurs within Jacksonville,” she said. “I think it is extremely important to learn how to step out of your comfort zone, especially for something that you're passionate about.”
In addition to the GEPC, the college also hosts an Elevator Pitch contest, where participants—either individual students or teams of up to four members—have 30 seconds to pitch an idea to a judge. It's all about being succinct, as contestants have to introduce themselves, the company name, the product, process, or service being developed, and keep the judge's attention—all in just 30 seconds.
Douglas Wells, a 45-year-old junior business management major, won Best Idea and $100 for his elevator pitch for Diurnal, a company he described as using "innovative solutions for everyday problems." It was a process that taught Wells valuable future lessons. "If you are trying to start a business or create an idea, this competition helps inspire students," Wells said. "I hope this competition continues to grow because it really does empower young entrepreneurs to dream big and go for it."
Townsend was awarded Best Pitch for Copper & Olive, and Taylor Robinson won the Judges’ Choice award for an idea that “had potential but needed a little more improvement.” Each of the 30-second contest winners received $100. For Townsend, the 30-second pitch was simply “nerve-wracking” but exciting, she said. “I pitched with confidence and charisma, which is what they liked. “
“These pitch competitions provide students with a learning opportunity that replicates the experience that entrepreneurs encounter when attempting to raise capital,” explained Dr. Carol Heitman-Lucy, assistant professor of entrepreneurship and management. “It allows students to demonstrate that they have acquired the entrepreneurial skillset and mindset to launch a sustainable business while also cultivating strongly desired soft skills that employers are looking for in college graduates - communication, teamwork, problem solving.”
To learn more about studying entrepreneurship at Jax State, visit the College of Business and Industry’s Entrepreneurship major page.