Being a founder means being audacious! 

Being delulu is the solulu until it comes trululu. Right?

That's me, Ebony Glass the founder and C.E.O. of My Nude Shade. Over a year ago, I was selected to pitch at the Black in eCom (now known as Ecom House) 2023 pitch competition. This was my first pitch competition and I had less than 50 customers, less than $2k in sales that year, and raised no more than $5k overall.

The prize: First place gets $10,000, second place gets $7,000, and third place gets $3,000.

How did I find this funding opportunity?

I learned about the pitch competition on a site called Mogul Millennial. This site is the best site to help Black and Brown founders find grants, pitch competitions and other funding opportunities. 

Do I even belong in this competition?

Before we reveal further details, I must briefly talk on feelings of unworthiness (imposter syndrome). I almost didn't apply because I wasn't where I thought I should be in order to publicly talk about my business. 

However, I decided to be brave. So, I completed my application on the last day, on June 30th. About ten days later, I got an email saying that I was selected as one of the ten pitch finalists! Yay, but OMG!

Social Anxiety + Fundraising + Supportive Circle = Success!

I was happy, but more panicked because I knew I had to raise funds to get there. This meant, starting a Go Fund Me and asking everyone I could for donations which triggered my social anxiety horribly. Yet, I did it anyway. I raised over $1k in cash.

Also, I had one lovely friend who used her leftover airline miles to pay for my plane ticket from Cleveland to Atlanta roundtrip and another lovely friend who worked at Hilton and gave me her friends-and-family discount code. Combined, they saved me between $1,000 to $1,500 right there! I praise God for them. *tears of gratitude*

I got down to Atlanta and a time was had during those three days. I'll write another post about that. Just know that Atlanta owes me nothing and I have to go back down there.

 Pitch Day! A small business doing big things!

In three minutes I expertly explained the colorism problem in the apparel, textile, and retail industries and how it affects people of color. Then, with another three minutes for questions from the panel, I explained how I know that I'm the right person to run my business. 

I told them I double majored in fashion design and merchandising, have years of various retail experience, and have experience with apparel manufacturing and... my name is Ebony. Like, it's meant to be. *Tucks coiled hair behind ear*

I also described the steps is being taking to solve that problem one brand, one product, and one design at a time.⁣ My Nude Shade is the first shopping service and store to help people of color find their skin tone shade the easiest and fastest.

Was My Nude Shade too small to win big?

As mentioned, I didn't think I would qualify at all. Most pitch competitions and grant programs want businesses under three years old to have a minimum annual revenue of $50k to apply for a $5k grant. I see it all too often and it's discouraging, especially when the $5k would help me get to $50k.

But this program gave me a chance. I learned, networked, and pitched my butt off.

The result of this pitch competition? *sigh*

After waiting and praying, "God just let me place!" I won third place! 🥉😌

Now, you may be thinking that I should've been more specific and prayed for a higher placement and I would have gotten second or even first. Understandable. However, I saw how and why the other companies placed. They earned it!

It proved that just because I think my business is too small, didn't make enough, etc, that doesn't mean I was correct. I was still great enough to pitch with the best of the best. 

Going back home. From Atlanta to Cleveland.

I was so happy and proud of myself that I could have skipped my way back to Cleveland. All of my prayers, support from friends and family, and efforts added up and helped me learn how to trust God, be brave, and do the work I'm meant to do. 

Thanks for reading. 

Talk to you later!

~Ebony