Meet the Winners of Selfmade's Spring 2023 Pitch Day

Brit + Co
May 19, 2023

We just hosted our first Selfmade Pitch Competition of the year and it was SO inspiring! From planet-friendly products to creator economy tech to BIPOC marketplaces, women are taking charge and building a better world for all of us through entrepreneurship. Selfmade is Brit + Co's community and training program for female founders. During the pitch competition, finalists receive expert feedback on their business models and opportunities, Shark-tank style.

With weekly workshops, on-demand courses, 1:1 mentor calls, peer-to-peer matching, templates, fireside chats, and more, Selfmade is designed to prep women for success in building and funding their business.

Finalists were chosen from a pool of hundreds of applicants to pitch live to our panel of judges. Alongside our Founding Partner, Office Depot OfficeMax, we awarded $10,000 in grants to our top 3 winners (meet them below!), and another $7,500 in gift cards to our top 15 founders.

Want to pitch your business idea to the Selfmade community for the chance to win cash prizes? Our next pitch competition is August 31. Register now to apply (you must be an active member of Selfmade to pitch, but the live virtual event is open to the public to attend too!)

Read on to find out who took home the big prizes this spring. Drumroll please...

Our Cash Grant Winners

1st Place winner, $5000

Amber T. Bogan, founder of Bright Light Books, an award-winning publisher of children’s books that normalize and celebrate black childhood , took home the big prize this spring. This multi passionate "mompreneuer" is leading one of the few independent #OwnVoices publishing houses created to increase diversity in children’s lit while helping to bridge the book accessibility gap.

2nd Place winner, $3000

Pallavi Pande, founder of Dtocs tableware, made from naturally fallen palm leaves, was the second prize winner. Pande’s motto: “Responsible living – toward mother nature, toward our kids and toward our community” – was her inspiration for DTOCS, which uses chemical-free manufacturing and creates compostable tableware. Pande, a mompreneur based in Portland, Oregon, recalls eating on banana leaves while growing up in India and loving how it connected her closer to nature.

3rd Place winner, $2000

Imani Schectman, founder of Open Market, a socially responsible marketplace featuring BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) and POC (People of Color) businesses, earned third prize in our spring pitch competition. Schectman is an artist, healer, and educator who believes in the power of community. She built Open Market for artisans and inventors like herself, and strives to make it easy for consumers to find BIPOC brands that align with the causes they care about, such as social justice, equity, sustainability, and livable wages.

Meet all of the 10 Pitch Day finalists, including our winners, below (in alphabetical order):

  • Allison Ullo | Leaves of Leisure, luxury low-caffeine herbal teas and botanicals
  • Amber T. Bogan | Bright Light Books, publisher of children's books celebrating Black joy
  • Chrissy Fagerholt | EAP Toy and Games, board and party games for people of all ages
  • Elayna Fernandez | The Positive MOM, a support community for moms
  • Imani Schectman | Open Market, a marketplace for BIPOC and POC business owners
  • Kara Kissell | Kara Kaufmann (musician), a children's music creator
  • Maria Londono | Disrupt3rs, a financing platform for film and game creators
  • Pallavi Pande | Dtocs LLC, tableware made from discarded palm leaves
  • Sopi Mitil | The Sopi Mitil Co LLC, an eco-friendly fashion brand for curvy, petite women
  • Tulsi Patel | Pet Clinic Pro, a marketplace for animal clinics

Congrats to our winners and all 10 finalists! Want to become a member of Selfmade? Start your free trial today!

Collaboration Hacks Every Small Business Owner Should Know

Verizon
verizon

In our Take 5 series, sponsored by Verizon, we ask women in business about unexpected challenges, their inspirations, recent wins, and how the free Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program has helped propel their business forward. Here, we meet Therise Edwards, founder/CEO of Teshley Solutions, an education consultancy firm that helps students and families navigate the complexities of the education system K through 12.

What is an unexpected business challenge that you faced and how did you overcome it?

I wouldn't call myself a FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid) expert, but I ended up having to know a lot more about it than I ever anticipated. FAFSA is what administers Pell Grants, which is what a lot of colleges base their financial aid on. I knew about the application changes, and some were excellent, but they made a series of critical errors and a lot of parents were scrambling. It was not my intent to have this as my area of focus; it just became a necessity.

What's a recent small win for your business?

Recent small wins are my collaborations. I formed partnerships with one organization that focuses on students with special needs. I hosted a webinar with the executive director of that organization. I formed a partnership with members from an insurance company on planning and paying for college. That was my first corporate sponsorship. And I've got a series of events coming out because others actually reached out to me. One of them I met through another networking platform, but I got to that platform from one of the sessions that I did with Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program.

How did you start to collaborate with external partners?

Just changing my strategies and my approach, and just being more secure and more emphatic in making connections. It ends up being this continual cycle.

Is there a woman in business that you admire or that you look up to?

I have two. Leontyne Anglin, who runs a nonprofit called Beyond Expectations. She works with a small pool of students, but she just gives them enormous exposure and opportunity. She's brilliant with collaborating with individuals and businesses and really bringing the students what they need. And then the other on a bigger scale is Cate Luzio, founder and CEO of Luminary, who taught her Business Plan Bootcamp through the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program. She is just a dynamo. She is just so supportive of women entrepreneurs. She's awesome.

How did the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program help propel your business forward?

All of the collaborations and partnerships with the exception of one all came from joining the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program. I’ve taken all of the free classes and the one on projections and pricing, something every entrepreneur struggles with, was very helpful. There have been so many of them. Sometimes you're completely ignorant in a category so you take the class and it's like, okay, that's good to have. But then sometimes you sign up for it and it's like, oh, yeah, I did know 90 percent of that, but this other 10 percent is going to be very, very helpful.

Learn more about the free Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Program and Teshley Solutions.

Illustration by Daniela Jordan-Villaveces


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The 'Yellowstone' Creator Cast Bella Hadid As His Girlfriend & The Internet Has Thoughts

We all know the Yellowstone season 5 cast is stacked: Kelly O'Reilly, Wes Bentley, Luke Grimes, Kelsey Asbille — and now Bella Hadid?! Yep, that's right, the model showed up on the latest episode of the TV show and the internet is going crazy. Not only because Bella is in the show (and she's an incredible equestrian) but also the fact that creator Taylor Sheridan cast her as his onscreen girlfriend.

Keep reading for everything you need to know about Bella Hadid's Yellowstone cameo — and the internet's reaction.

Was that Bella Hadid on Yellowstone?

Paramount

Well yes, that was Bella Hadid on Yellowstone. Good eye! The actress appeared in season 5, episode 13, "Give The World Away." When Beth Dutton (played by Kelly Reilly) shows up at Travis Wheatley's ranch, she's greeted by Travis' girlfriend Sadie (Bella Hadid) instead of the horse trainer himself (who's played by creator Taylor Sheridan).

As the episode progresses, we see Beth and Sadie start to bond (or at least, we see Beth try to figure out why Sadie's with Travis) and Sadie hops on a horse herself. If there's one thing that will solidify the return of the Western aesthetic, it's Bella Hadid wearing a cowboy hat.

And this isn't the first time Bella has showed off her horseback riding skills! Her boyfriend Adan Banuelos posted a video on November 3 of Bella competing, saying "Bella rode 3 horses and qualified to 7 different finals, bringing home her first CHAMPIONSHIP buckle! We continue to be proud of her in (and out) of the arena."

The model and actress' 'Ôrəbella Alchemy Foundation also works with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) to provide therapeutic and adaptive horseback riding for individuals for special needs.

After the new Yellowstone episode aired, the internet simply couldn't help but roast Taylor Sheridan (who's 54) for casting the 28-year-old Bella Hadid as his own girlfriend.

"Taylor Sheridan making Bella Hadid his girlfriend in 'Yellowstone' is objectively hilarious," @spaseycasey tweeted, while @rigginsslim says making Taylor's character "the Dutton savior + coolest guy in the universe" while "1/3 of it is him shirtless [and] he’s f—king Literally Bella Hadid" isn't even "the top 5 dumbest parts of the episode."

However, it looks like this was the push some of Bella's fans needed to start the show! "starting yellowstone because bella hadid made a cameo in it," @cardiganfml tweeted. (I literally cannot judge considering I started 1923 after seeing Brandon Sklenar in It Ends With Us).

Bella Hadid wasn't the only guest star on this week's episode of 'Yellowstone'

In addition to Bella, we also saw Blake Lively's brother-in-law Bart Johnson make a guest appearance. The High School Musical star's character has the audacity to try and hit on Beth during a girls' night out. Read the room!

What did you think of this week's Yellowstone episode? I can't believe next week is the finale! Check out why Paramount+'s New Drama Landman Will Fill The Yellowstone Void In Your Life.

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Meet The Top 3 Founders In Our Selfmade Pitch Competition!

When you launch a business, you have to know how to sell it: to customers, to potential investors, and to the people you bring on board. In the Selfmade Fall 2024 Pitch competition, we challenged our female entrepreneurs to sell us their big idea and compete to win over $10K in prizes to build and grow their business. The judging panel was made up of a group of inspiring women in business, including Emily Merrell, founder of Second Degree Society and Ready Set Coach; Niki Shamdasani, CEO of Sani Lifestyle Brand; and Joanne Oparu Ayebo Eriaku, business transformation strategist and founder of SOAR AI School of Readiness.

Selfmade is a unique, hands-on business membership for female founders. Our coaches support our mission to help make the dreams of female founders a reality. "Our mission is to even out the odds and offer a clear route to success for business owners who've been marginalized," Emily said during the competition.

Pitch day was filled with uplifting, celebratory moments as all members cheered on the 10 finalists. Winners were judged on creativity, inspiration, authenticity, uniqueness, and evidence of impact. The finalists were phenomenal in their pitches, but the judging panel had to make the tough decision of picking three women who really stood out. Here are the winners of the Selfmade Fall 2024 pitch competition, plus our amazing finalists below!

Meet the Selfmade PItch Winners

Hyacinth Tucker

1st Place Winner

Hyacinth Tucker | The Laundry Basket

A US Army veteran and wife, Hyacinth owns and operates The Laundry Basket, a laundry subscription service that provides expert, laundry-on-demand and dry cleaning services in Maryland, DC, Northern Virginia, Northeast Ohio, and Toronto Canada. The company is committed to sustainability, offering zero-waste practices in partnership with non-profits like Impact Zero. They are also paving the way for minorities and veterans to build careers and businesses through their workforce development program. Hyacinthhas a masters of business administration and is a mom of two. When she’s not running the show, she loves traveling, reading, and playing games with her family.

Monica Casillas

2nd Place Winner

Monica Casillas | Amor Movement

Founder Monica Casillas recognized that many young Latinas faced the same challenges she did in high school, experiencing the weight of generational traumas and their impact on growth and potential. Driven by her own experiences and determination, she set out to create a transformative movement with love as its guiding force. The mission behind Amor Movement is to ignite the passion and leadership potential in young Latinas in high school. The nonprofit is dedicated to equipping these future leaders with essential life skills, professional development, and civic engagement opportunities, empowering them to break barriers and create the lives of their dreams.

Yolanda McCray

3rd Place Winner

Yolanda McCray | Skyler M Style & Wellness

Yolanda's passion for clothing, accessories, and custom products inspired the creation of Skyler M Style & Wellness, named after her Cocker Spaniel who passed away from cancer in 2019. Skyler M Style & Wellness is an online boutique and pop-up shop in South Carolina that offers clothing, accessories, and custom gifts. They are also launching gift and subscription boxes that empower women to embrace their unique style while prioritizing wellness. Their carefully curated products offer a blend of fashion and self-care, solving the common struggle women face in balancing both.

Selfmade

Meet Our Other Amazing Finalists!

Thinking about becoming a member of Selfmade? Founders can join Selfmade for just $39 per month and have a chance to pitch your business at our next pitch competition! Here's how our Selfmade community is breaking barriers and connecting you with like-minded founders:
  • On-demand courses
  • Live coaching
  • 1:1 mentorship with leading industry experts
  • Opportunities for pitching your business (such as this pitch comp!)
  • Digital events
  • AND of course, our community of 4,000+ women founders, just like you!

Learn more about the Selfmade Founder Fund and join us!

Be sure to sign up for our weekly email newsletter for more tips and news!

Header image via Meghan Lamle on Unsplash

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15 Classy Christmas Outfit Ideas That’ll Win You ‘Best Dressed’ At Family Dinner

If you're anything like me, you treat Christmas like a whole fashion show. Whether it’s a wholesome family dinner or a (not so wholesome) party with hometown friends, I always plan to pull a look or two.

As opposed to years past, I’m looking to shake up my Christmas outfits a bit, playing with multiple patterns, cozy (yet stylish) layers, and, of course, a good pair of boots. Looking for inspo along those lines? We’ve got all the Christmas outfit ideas you need to stun at this year’s festivities.

Check out these 12 Christmas outfit ideas you have our full permission to copy this season!

Kayla Walden

Sparkles are extremely festive this time of year – go all out with a sequined dress to really embrace the Christmas spirit! You can find so many similar options at Anthropologie and Nordstrom. When paired with some cute ballet flats, you'll be feelin' like a little Christmas fairy in no time.

Haley Sprankle

A blazer will never fail to make your Christmas outfits look sophisticated. Layer one on top of a basic cable knit sweater for a classic feel (that'll also keep you super warm)! From there, trousers or tailored jeans will do. Don't forget to accessorize with red Christmas nails and a bold red lip color!

Jasmine Williams

Layers, layers, layers: it's the name of the Christmas outfit game, especially if you live somewhere super cold. But a practical 'fit doesn't have to be boring! Start with a comfy turtleneck and pants (over some leggings for extra warmth), then go crazy by mixing colors and patterns. This plaid + leather combo will be on repeat. Step into your favorite winter boots to bolden up the look!

Ali Ives

Statement jackets are the way to go. This leather one is lined with a furry material that not only holds in your body heat during outdoor excursions, but looks so chic, too. Layer one with some leggings, a black mini dress, and a bright red sweater like this one so you feel cozy all day long! Don't forget the boots, either! 😍

Haley Sprankle

Hair bows are the perfect accessory to rock alongside your Christmas outfits. From sleek sweaters like this one to more formal dresses, they fit the occasion oh-so nicely.

Haley Sprankle

For a *spicier* holiday get-up, don't hesitate to reach for your fave tall boots and little black dress. It's a no-fail combo! With an all-black situation like this one, you won't have to spend extra time worrying about if your outfit is matching perfectly or not. Wear the two pieces with some sheer black tights, or get creative with colored ones, like a bold red or sparkly white.

Kayla Walden

If your personal style leans more preppy, this is the Christmas outfit idea to copy: loafers and a pleated skirt instantly make you look dressed up, but the nice part is you're not sacrificing comfort for style one bit. This outfit formula can span over endless color combos, but we particularly love the burgundy-leaning look with this one.

Meredith Holser

You can never go wrong with a good green or red plaid dress. Bonus points if it's vintage, like this one! You can easily dress it up with tights and a cardigan, with boots or ballet flats to match!

Kayla Walden

Velvet dresses have our hearts (and closets). The material evokes a very vintage-y Christmas vibe that you can style over and over again. We're currently eyeing similar styles to this one from Target and Anthropologie!

Rachael Sprankle

Sequins shine again! If it's Christmas party time, you truly cannot go wrong with an eye-catching ensemble like this one. You'll leave the whole crowd stunned. A sequined dress also makes for some ahh-mazing Instagram pics! 📸

Ali Ives

Bundling up this winter doesn't have to be drab. Throw on a plaid scarf on top of a layered look to embrace all the Christmas vibes!

Kayla Walden

Playing with different materials and non-traditional color combos might just surprise you when it comes to creating the coolest Christmas outfits. For instance, this 'fit combines leather and suede, which contrast each other beautifully. You also might not immediately think of black and brown working well together, but this outfit idea defies all fashion "rules" in that regard.

Haley Sprankle

For a Christmas-y night out (ahem, bar crawl, anyone?), don your cutest holiday sweater with some comfy jeans and boots. We've found some really great options for fun holiday sweaters that are still super stylish!

Haley Sprankle

Get you a good tall black boot, and your Christmas outfit ideas will go far. They work wonderfully with everything from maxi dresses to midi skirts!

Kayla Walden

No matter what you wear this Christmas, there's always room for a playful (and festive!) hair bow.

Subscribe to our newsletter for more outfit inspo!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

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How To Watch 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' For Free This Holiday Season

As I type this, I'm sipping on chai tea, wrapped in a blanket covered in hedgehogs holding candy canes, while twinkly lights hang on the wall behind my head. That's right baby, it's Christmastime!! (Well, almost). It might not be Thanksgiving yet, but we're getting in the holiday spirit early, because...well, why not? A few Christmas music, a taste test of Taylor Swift's chai tea cookies, and A Charlie Brown Christmas are all surefire ways to make any cloudy, dark-before-5 pm day merry and bright. After you've watched Snoopy prepare dinner for all his friends in A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, press play on the oh so sweet A Charlie Brown Christmas!

Here's everything you need to know about how to stream A Charlie Brown Christmas for the 2024 holiday season.

How To Stream 'A Charlie Brown Christmas'

You can stream A Charlie Brown Christmas is streaming on Apple TV+ this year, which is also where you'll find It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. So if you're wondering, 'Is A Charlie Brown Christmas on Netflix?' unfortunately, no, it's not.

But while the $9.99 cost for an Apple TV+ subscription gives you access to literally so many other titles, it's understandable if that's a deal breaker. Good thing there's a 7-day free trial! Apple TV+ is also airing the special for free on two days during the holiday season: December 14 and December 15. Mark your calendar!

Check out Everything Coming To Apple TV+ In 2024for a look into the streamer's newest projects!

What happened in A Charlie Brown Christmas?

CBS/Apple

A Charlie Brown Christmas Plot

In A Charlie Brown Christmas, our titular main character is not feeling merry and bright. Even though the world is cheery (and snowy) around him, he simply can't break out of his funk — especially when he tries to direct his friends in the local Christmas play and they all make fun of him. But thankfully, Linus, and one special little Christmas tree, help save Charlie Brown's Christmas spirit.

The special definitely struck a chord in audiences. According to TODAY, almost half of the entire country tuned into the premiere, and A Charlie Brown Christmas ended up winning an Emmy in 1966 for Outstanding Children's Program.

When did A Charlie Brown Christmas come out?

CBS/Apple

A Charlie Brown Christmas Release Date

A Charlie Brown Christmas first aired on CBS December 9, 1965. Even though Charles M. Schulz's comic strip introduced characters like Charlie Brown, Sally, Linus, and Snoopy in 1950, this was the first time the characters appeared in a TV special.

Can I stream the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas?

Concord Music Group

Yes you can listen to the A Charlie Brown Christmas album (which has sold more than 5 million copies) on streaming platforms!

Why is A Charlie Brown Christmas not airing?

CBS/Apple

After Apple bought the rights to the Charlie Brown specials in 2018, A Charlie Brown Christmas, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, and It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown haven't regularly premiered on TV. 2022 marked the last time Apple allowed PBS stations to air A Charlie Brown Christmas once during the holiday season.

Will ABC show A Charlie Brown Christmas?

Check out 60 Unique Christmas Card Ideas That Also Make Great Instagram Captions for more inspiration!

This post has been updated.

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