Fond du Lac's top entrepreneurial pitches streamline outfit decisions and break barriers in art
Daphne Lemke, Fond du Lac Reporter
2 min read
Arianna McCormick-Wilson pitches her business, AMW Arts, LLC, at Envision Greater Fond du Lac's pitch event Nov. 13. She won first place for her idea on art classes and commissions that broaden the market of art and break the barriers to entry.
Arianna McCormick-Wilson pitches her business, AMW Arts, LLC, at Envision Greater Fond du Lac's pitch event Nov. 13. She won first place for her idea on art classes and commissions that broaden the market of art and break the barriers to entry.

FOND DU LAC — Budding local entrepreneurs had a chance to locally pitch their ideas, and a few will move on to a regional contest.

Envision Greater Fond du Lac hosted its first "Envision THIS!" pitch event Nov. 13, split into two pitch contests: one for high school students and one for adults.

Seven high school groups represented Campbellsport, Laconia and North Fond du Lac high schools, presenting to a panel of marketing specialists and entrepreneurs as judges, including Lisa McArthur, Kean O’Brien, Becca Schumacher and TJ Schoenborn.

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Envision Greater Fond du Lac Director of Small Business and Entrepreneurship Raina Lyman congratulates Elsie Rens, Julia Pierstorff and Laconia High School teacher Erin O'Toole for their first place win in the high school category of the organization's pitch contest.
Envision Greater Fond du Lac Director of Small Business and Entrepreneurship Raina Lyman congratulates Elsie Rens, Julia Pierstorff and Laconia High School teacher Erin O'Toole for their first place win in the high school category of the organization's pitch contest.

First place among the students went to Elsie Rens and Julia Pierstorff of Laconia High School, who utilize technology to create the "Make Up Your Mind Mirror," targeted for women ages 15 to 30 to streamline their morning routine and outfit selection.

A Campbellsport High School team of Brody Nolan, Lucas Zimmerman and Hunter Cochran won second place for "Wings over Elmore," a business model of raising pheasants that can be adjusted for diverse markets.

Envision Greater Fond du Lac Director of Small Business and Entrepreneurship Raina Lyman congratulates Brody Nolan, Lucas Zimmerman and Hunter Cochran of Campbellsport High School for their second place win in the high school category of the organization's pitch contest.
Envision Greater Fond du Lac Director of Small Business and Entrepreneurship Raina Lyman congratulates Brody Nolan, Lucas Zimmerman and Hunter Cochran of Campbellsport High School for their second place win in the high school category of the organization's pitch contest.

The second half of the event invited six local entrepreneurs to pitch their business idea within 4 minutes.

Arianna McCormick-Wilson ranked first with "AMW Arts LLC," which uses art classes and personalized 2D commissions to advocate for art's value, with a focus on bridging the gaps in art education for adults and breaking barriers to entry in the arts. To do this, she would engage with seniors and retirees and plan for virtual lessons to broaden the market.

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Connor Freimuth's "NEW Compost" won second place for sustainable plant cultivation and eco-friendly methodologies to promote the the significance of soil ecosystems with diverse customer bases, whether it's household plant owners or large-scale agriculture.

The second-half judges were Kean O’Brien, Nolan Boyce, Rhonda Roehrig and Kathy Schlieve.

The next step for the winners is an invitation to the regional NEW Launch Alliance Pitch Event in Green Bay Nov. 30.

Daphne Lemke is the Streetwise reporter for the Fond du Lac Reporter. Contact her at dlemke@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: Fond du Lac pitch winners advance to NEW Launch Alliance event

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