It was around this time last year that I had first pitched my idea for a tooth-cleaning chewing gum at Big Idea Blitz. I had never pitched anything before and remember feeling extremely underqualified and intimidated by the overwhelming number of MBA and medical students around me who were also presenting. In fact, I remember at one point, I had to tell myself that this whole pitching thing was just for fun (and not a competition) in order to calm my nerves. Once I changed my mindset, it allowed me to be more human and vulnerable around the judges – I wasn’t freaking out anymore about saying the perfect key words or admitting “I don’t know the answer yet” to the questions I was asked. Remembering that the judges were just people too really changed the way I presented and to this day still helps me when I pitch and network.
When I started preparing for the Randall Family Big Idea Competition (RFBIC), I spent a lot of time with the entrepreneurs in residence (EIRs) on campus. I did this because one of the things I had learned about the startup world is that there’s no book out there to tell you exactly what to do – every startup is different with no clear path to follow. I found that by being around the EIRs I was able to ask questions, gain clarity, and explore other avenues I hadn’t even thought of concerning how to run my business.
When it came time to share my idea at the RFBIC, I felt way more prepared than I had been at Blitz. I had more time to build a persuasive story and to logically explain why my idea was worth something. My advice to anyone pitching, whether at the RFBIC or anywhere else, is not to memorize a script but to know your story. Practice your pitch over and over until it feels just as comfortable as you sharing your favorite childhood memory. If you know the story, you don’t have to worry about forgetting a line or missing an important part, and you can focus more on your delivery and interaction with the audience. Ultimately, I think that being prepared had helped me flourish in the competition.
Winning the RFBIC was the first major milestone for me and was what set me up for success in the startup world. It was the first time my idea was validated by highly regarded individuals in the industry, and it has since opened doors for me that would’ve been very hard to open by myself. Ultimately, one of the most important lessons I learned from the RFBIC was to never sell yourself short. Instead of sizing yourself up with everyone else in the room, just ask “why not me?” and go for it. An even more significant takeaway was to continue learning and ask questions. It’s ok to not know something, but when you’re stuck, ask for help. At Pitt, you’re surrounded by skilled professionals who likely have the ability to help you with anything you could ever need. Take advantage of them and the opportunity to try out something new during a low risk time of your life. The RFBIC can and will completely change your future for the better.
Are you ready for Randall? Apply here. Applications are due by 11:59 PM on February 7, 2020.