Eagle FastPitch

November 29, 2016

Six Georgia Southern students participated in the 2016 Eagle Fast Pitch business idea competition downtown at the Whitaker Black Box Theater on Nov. 17.

Fashion merchandising major Madison Moore won first place for her product and business idea called Easy Bustle.  Easy Bustle is a bustle for wedding and formal dresses that works like a window blind, allowing the wearer to be able to pull a cord or ribbon to instantly bustle the dress.

“Before Eagle FastPitch my Easy Bustle idea was just that; an idea. I am beyond grateful that I got the opportunity to make my idea come to life with this competition… I fear that more students around campus have these great thoughts and ideas, but don’t have the courage to do more with them. I encourage every student at Georgia Southern to reach out to BIG and make their dreams a reality.”

Joshua Eaves placed second with E.T.A., a software giving real-time financial feedback rather than waiting until tax time. Third place went to Illeigh Emanuel of Broke University, an app allowing students to swap, sell or trade clothes, books or other goods.

Rachel Pall won the popular vote and was awarded the People’s Choice for Paleo 2Go, a healthy, whole-food prepared meals delivery service; Tyler Fulmer of Digital Shopper, a timely delivery service app.

Also presenting were Kendra Preston of It Comes Naturally, an easy to navigate website that educates users about their hair type and recommends natural products to use; and Tyler Fulmer of Digital Shopper, a timely delivery service app.

Eagle Fast Pitch works to inspire and connect graduate and undergraduate entrepreneurial students to community resources assisting them with starting their own business or to grow an existing one.  Contestants make three-minute presentations to a panel of judges who score them on the impact, implementation, presentation, and delivery of their pitch.

To prepare for their presentations, students met with an oral coach under time restrictions and were advised on content and the effectiveness of their presentation.  “I really enjoyed Eagle Fast Pitch,” said Fulmer. “It was a great experience to be able to get my idea expressed and be able to work with people who have already made it.”

The business innovation group (BIG) promotes the nature of these competitions to prepare Georgia Southern students to be well equipped to compete with other students from other universities and in the marketplace.  BIG wants their students to have the right tools to excel.  “The experience was amazing,” said Preston. “I learned a lot about myself and the business community.  Entrepreneurship creates financial freedom and builds character because you’re always learning something new.  The challenges never stop which I find exciting.”