Lights, Camera, Action! | Pitch to Investors at Flourish Media Conference
Each year at the Flourish Media Conference, businesses are encouraged to pitch to the panel of investors. There isn’t always a clear winner, this isn’t a pitch competition. It’s a chance to enrich relationships with local change-makers and gain actionable feedback. It’s a moment for business owners to connect directly with funding opportunities. If you play your cards right, you could walk away with deep connections and eager wallets ready to invest in your business.
As a small business owner in the film industry, Jennifer Castellanos is a pro at visibility. In order to connect directly with her target audience, she has to step up and step out!
Her business, Miami Film Club, offers film-loving and film-curious folks, living in the greater Miami area, the opportunity to experience and enjoy films created in their community. Think of the Miami Film Club as a book club, but for films.
In order to attract more eyeballs and expand her community, Jennifer reeled at the opportunity to pitch her business to the FMC panel of investors from Morgan Stanly, Bricklle Finance, Knot & Key, and many more.
After the seventh annual conference had ended, we approached Jennifer to get the scoop on her experience.
Read her insight below!
Why is it important to pitch your business?
“As a new organization, it is so important to let the world know who we are, what we are doing, and why we are doing it. Miami Film Lab is working hard to support local filmmakers as they work to make a living telling Miami stories. We are working hard to raise money for local filmmakers and to let our community know about the amazing films being produced in our community.”
Why did you decide to pitch?
“Pitching our organization is one of the best ways to share our story and gain the supporters we need to advance our mission.”
How difficult would you say the pitch portion was?
“I would give it a 2. I was pretty nervous, but I’m glad I did it!”
How does pitching align with your business doing social good?
“As a non-profit, we are all about social good but we can not achieve our goals unless we get the word out about our programs and mission.”
What advice do you have for women business owners who receive the FMC Small Business Grant?
“I think the most important thing for any business once they receive anything to benefit them is to think of their long-term goals over their short-term needs. How can you make the grant have the largest impact on where you are going?”
What is your next big milestone within your business?
“Our next big milestone is to produce our first short film. We are raising money to employ 30+ cast and crew to tell a uniquely Miami story. The profits from the distribution of the film will be put right back into the organization to make the next film and allow us to be a self-sustaining non-profit.”
What’s something you’ve been working on in your business that you want the world to know?
“Miami Film Lab wants local films to be easily accessible which is why we launched our Made in Miami Film series on YouTube. Right now you can see over 25 films and music videos made right here in South Florida by our local artists. You can subscribe to the channel and be notified every Wednesday when a new film is released. You can visit our channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPiKN46u6rI8MLlW7jXJPBA”
Why should other women small business owners attend Flourish Media Conference and what will they learn from your talk?
“I think the most valuable piece of Flourish was hearing women talk about all the different styles of businesses they run and to see both what makes ur journeys similar and different. I would gladly talk about the unique needs and opportunities of running a non-profit versus a for-profit business. In more than one instance that weekend it was discussed that non-profit did not mean the business can't make money and being self-sustaining, a huge misconception.”
We love what Jennifer stands for. It’s business owners like her who help shape our future while activating abundant & aligned living for all women.
Stay up to date with Jennifer by following her club on Instagram!
Enrich your life by checking out her website!
Ready to lock in your Flourish Media Conference access for next year for the opportunity to pitch your business?
