Title Nine, one of the largest, and the original, woman-owned independent specialty retailer in North America, held its second annual Movers and Makers Pitchfest this past weekend.
Pitchfest is designed to support, promote and encourage female-led brands to risk, own and lead in their business endeavors. The event, in which nine finalists made the cut, provides a platform to pitch their brand to seasoned professionals, in the hopes of winning marketing, sales and mentoring support from the esteemed womens brand.
The nine finalists convened in Emeryville, CA, for an all-day immersive experience, including icebreaker games, a workout, and panel sessions, in between finalist pitches, and were able to network with other founders and women led businesses such as Oiselle, Coalition Snow and Bronwen Jewelry.
As finalists, these women rose to the top as entrepreneurial, driven and market appealing brand representatives, and each impressed the judges with their branding, marketing and sales visions. Finalists included; Cassie Abel, Wild Rye; Chelsea Camarata, Kaden Apparel; Suni Gargaro, Sunia Yoga; Amelia Leme, Mana Threads; Darcy Conover, Corbeaux Clothing; Iwona Kapcia, Anowi Surfwear; Elyse Kaye, Bloom Bras; Emily Trower-Young, Em & El Organics; Mina Yoo, Heroclip.
After much deliberation, the winners of the 2019 Title Nine Movers and Makers Pitchfest are:
Mina Yoo and Heroclip; Amelia Leme and Mana Threads; Cassie Abel and Wild Rye. Emily Trower-Young of Em & El Organics was also named a runner-up winner for an in-store partnership with Title Nine.
“We are so excited to expand our Movers and Makers family with this year’s winners,” enthused Molly Hanks Doyle, Title Nine’s Senior Merchant and Pitchfest Organizer. “The field of finalists was such a talented and badass group of female founders. We are so grateful for all the women who joined us in sharing their knowledge, wisdom, and struggles – female leaders in the outdoor industry, Bay Area business women, and last year’s Pitchfest participants. The collective energy and enthusiasm was incredible and we are already looking forward to next year’s event.”
The three primary winners will receive mentorship from Title Nine founder Missy Park and other female business leaders as well as a purchase order from Title Nine.
One of the Pitchfest 2019 winners, Cassie Abel of Wild Rye said, “We are so honored to be selected as a winner! This experience was truly unique. I loved the design of the event that celebrated both the competitive nature of a pitchfest and encouraged a camaraderie amongst the female founders and finalists. The day, the contest, and the community really embodied what Title Nine and Wild Rye are about – boosting confidence and welcoming more women to the outdoors.”
“At the heart of the event, Title Nine’s Pitchfest is about propelling women forward,” reiterated Title Nine CEO Missy Park. “The courage and persistence heard in each pitch was a terrific reminder to every woman in the room why it’s important to form community and rally around each other. Whether you’ve been in business 30 years or you’re just starting out, there are always new challenges and it’s to the benefit of all women in the outdoor space that we continue to share our stories and provide knowledge and encouragement in the path to leading, owning, and risking.”
Title Nine celebrates its 30th anniversary this year and the brand, inspired by the groundbreaking 1972 equality legislation, is encouraged by the tenacity of female entrepreneurs in today’s space. As more female founders find communities of support and promotion, the old boys’ club will begin to see the evolution of the new girls’ network, and Title Nine aims to be a resource and guiding light for them all.
