--- title: Big Idea Center Blog | Brooke Walker description: "Do you have a #pittbigidea come to the Big Idea Center and stay in touch with us to hear the latest from our blog." --- [Skip to main content](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/author/brooke-walker/page/1#main) [wordpress](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/) Menu Close - [About](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/about/) - [Why Us](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/about/why-us/) - [Staff](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/staff-directory/) - [Notable Alumni](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/about/notable-alumni/) - [Programs](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/) - [How We Help](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/how-we-help/) - [Pitt x CMU Global Entrepreneurship Week](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/pitt-x-cmu-global-entrepreneurship-week/) - [She Innovates](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/she-innovates/) - [Big Idea Blitz](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/big-idea-blitz/) - [Start Smart Series](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/start-smart-series/) - [Big Idea Competition](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/randall-family-big-idea-competition/) - [Blast Furnace](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/blast-furnace/) - [The Forge](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/the-forge/) - [Team Finder](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/team-finder/) - [Post a Team Request](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/post-a-team-request/) - [Entrepreneurs in Residence](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/eirs-student-programs/) - [Events](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/events/) - [Blog](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter) - [Get Started](https://go.innovation.pitt.edu/big-idea-get-started) Search for: Search [Big Idea Center](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/) ##### Connect with Us - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/pittbigidea/) - [Twitter](https://twitter.com/pittbigidea) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/pittbigidea/) Search for: Search Research Sites Pitt Research (main) Research Computing Research Protections Sponsored Programs Trade Compliance - [About](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/about/) - [Why Us](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/about/why-us/) - [Staff](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/staff-directory/) - [Notable Alumni](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/about/notable-alumni/) - [Programs](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/) - [How We Help](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/how-we-help/) - [Global Entrepreneurship Week](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/signature-programs/gew/) - [Big Idea Blitz](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/big-idea-blitz/) - [Start Smart Legal Series](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/start-smart-series/) - [Big Idea Competition](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/signature-programs/big-idea-competition/) - [Blast Furnace](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/blast-furnace/) - [The Forge](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/the-forge/) - [Team Finder](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/team-finder/) - [Post a Team Request](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/programs/post-a-team-request/) - [Entrepreneurs in Residence](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/eirs-student-programs/) - [Events](https://www.bigidea.pitt.edu/events/) - [Blog](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter) - [Get Started](https://go.innovation.pitt.edu/big-idea-get-started) # Blog ## [My Blast Furnace Journey - Brooke Walker, CEO of Healthy Soul](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/my-blast-furnace-journey-brooke-walker-ceo-of-healthy-soul) [![](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/hubfs/Healthy%20Soul%205-3.jpg)](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/bigideacenter/my-blast-furnace-journey-brooke-walker-ceo-of-healthy-soul) Apr 30, 2020 8:45:00 AM My startup, Healthy Soul, first came to me as a dream to try and fix the ever-increasing issues of hunger and food-related illnesses within my community’s homeless population. To help bring this dream alive, I went all around campus in the search of resources that could support me with my idea. Luckily, I stumbled upon the Big Idea Center, saw a large poster for the Randall Family Big Idea Competition (RFBIC) at their office, and decided to participate in the competition. Throughout the RFBIC, we pitched our ideas and received feedback from numerous judges in the innovation community. Right before the final round, I was first introduced to the Big Idea Center’s Blast Furnace (BF) program. Babs Carryer, the director of the Big Idea Center, and I had set up a Randall progress meeting and during that time she had informed me of their summer accelerator program. Essentially, it would be a key factor in helping me understand all the nooks and crannies of what goes into a startup. At this point, I had been working on Healthy Soul for about 5 months. If I was serious about getting my business up off the ground, Blast Furnace would be essential for my progress, and the next step of turning my idea into a reality. 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