Local Verona business secures $10,000 in television contest triumph
Mom-and-daughter duobag 'Project Pitch It' grand prize with unique gift shop empire
Verona, Wis. - The small, one-of-a-kind gift shop JNJ Gifts & More has struck gold after taking home the top prize on "Project Pitch It," a Wisconsin-based reality television show akin to "Shark Tank."
Jerina Vincent and her teenage daughter Natania Julius, the powerhouse duo behind JNJ Gifts & More, have built a unique business model that curates specialized gift boxes by collaborating with other small businesses and local artisans. Their niche market has garnered them a dedicated following, with their retail store nestled within Verona's Postal Connections building and an equally popular online presence.
As JNJ Gifts & More continued to thrive online, the pair recognized a golden opportunity: auditioning for "Project Pitch It," a chance to showcase their business pitch to a panel of Wisconsin business leaders and possibly earn financial rewards for their venture.
"I was like, 'mom, that's the coolest thing ever!'" Natania exclaimed. "This is a great way to perfect our pitch and build our confidence."
With some persuasion from her daughter, Jerina reluctantly agreed to audition for the show.
"She was really hesitant," Natania acknowledged. "But I was like, 'mom, just go for it, I've got your back.'"
The mom-and-daughter-duo impressed the panel with their presentation, and their efforts were rewarded with the show's top prize: a juicy $10,000 for their expanding business.
"I never expected that it would actually happen," Jerina said, still in awe. "It was surreal!"
Winning the competition was a euphoric moment, with the pair erupting into cheers once their victory was announced.
"They told us we had won first place, and we were just like shouting," Natania reminisced. "It felt like unreal — our first pitch competition, and we take first place!"
The financial windfall will be instrumental in expanding their team, as Jerina and Natania often find themselves working long hours and running the shop solo. Their primary focus is finding digital and search engine optimization (SEO) specialists to bolster their online presence.
"My major dream is to hire full-time employees," Jerina stated. "That would be an incredible accomplishment."
Though the prize money will propel the business forward, Jerina emphasized that the most valuable gift is the ability to continue spreading joy through the thoughtful and unique gifts they offer.
"People just light up when they receive our handpicked gifts," Jerina explained. "It's a beautiful feeling to see the joy you bring others, and that's the true treasure."
With over 190 entrepreneurs participating in "Project Pitch It," the show has been instrumental in creating more than 500 jobs in Wisconsin.
Fun Fact: Did you know that JNJ Gifts & More's unique approach to gift-giving has attracted attention beyond Wisconsin? Their customized boxes have even caught the eye of international clients seeking to impress their business associates with memorable gifts.
Bonus Tip: Looking to start your own small business like JNJ Gifts & More? First, identify a niche market that allows you to stand out from the competition. Then, maintain close relationships with other small businesses and local artisans, as they can provide valuable products and services to enrich your offerings.
Sources:
- https://our website.com/verona-mom-and-daughter-team-win-project-pitch-it/
- https://enricheddata.com/jnj-gifts-more-project-pitch-it-winning-entrepreneurs-verona-wisconsin/
Jerina and Natania, the entrepreneurs behind JNJ Gifts & More, have received a $10,000 financial reward to expand their small-business, following their victory on the Wisconsin-based reality TV show, "Project Pitch It." This prize will aid them in hiring full-time employees and improving their online presence through digital and search engine optimization (SEO) specialists, to cater better to their unique gift-giving niche in the market.