2 weeks Ago
Entrepreneurship student Kayla Kirkland of Sullivan's Island recently won a third-place award of $500 at the Business Pitch Competition hosted by Belmont University's Thomas F. Cone Center for Entrepreneurship. Open to students from any major, the competition challenges contestants to condense hours of preparation, market research and prototyping into a 60-second pitch.
The event was a high-energy, "Shark Tank"-style experience with cash awards up to $2,000 for the taking. Kirkland's business, The Far Out, specializes in handcrafted retro-style apparel utilizing recycled denim which reduces the amount of textile waste that ends up in landfills. She plans on using her $500 award to scale production.
"The Cone Center has done so much for my entrepreneurship journey," Kirkland said. "Not only has it connected me with other student entrepreneurs, but it has also created so many amazing opportunities for me, such as experiencing inspiring guest speakers and giving me the opportunity to attend entrepreneurial and networking events throughout Nashville." The judges panel included alumnus Brandon Littleton '10 of Bag Lady's Fry Joint, adjunct faculty member Lacie Thorne and two entrepreneurs-in-residence: co-founder of NoBaked Cookie Dough Megan Feeman and founder of KLLW, LLP Drew Lamb.
The competition not only showcased the entrepreneurial spirit thriving across campus, but also highlighted the dedication required to succeed. The Cone Center serves all students on campus, not just business students. By offering this opportunity to all students, Belmont continues to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset, empowering future innovators to bring their visions to life regardless of their field of study.
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