Build in Tulsa Product Pitch Night Recap: AfroPop, Queen Kisses, and K&K SMILES shine as standout innovators, showcasing brilliance, innovation, and impact in their industries.
Build in Tulsa Product Pitch Night Recap: AfroPop, Queen Kisses, and K&K SMILES Shine as Top Innovators
Tulsa, OK — November 7th 2024, Build in Tulsa’s Product Pitch Night brought together Tulsa’s entrepreneurial community to celebrate six innovative founders at the Historic Big 10 Ballroom in North Tulsa. The Tulsa community witnessed firsthand the drive and talent of local business owners as they competed for awards of $36,000. With a focus on manufacturable products, these entrepreneurs showcased how they are shaping Tulsa’s future through accessible, sustainable, and innovative solutions.
The event celebrated three standout winners: AfroPop, Queen Kisses All Natural Luxury Lipcare, and K&K SMILES. Judging the competition were Dominick Ard’is, Founder & CEO of ACT House; Elizabeth Hall, Senior Program Director at the Burnstein Family Foundation; and Kim Roxie, Founder & CEO of LAMIK Beauty. Here’s a look at the entrepreneurs who captured the spotlight.
AfroPop stole the show with its refreshing and culturally inspired soda line, earning first place and a $20,000 cash prize. Jamel Stephens, AfroPop’s founder, has a mission that goes beyond creating a great-tasting beverage—he’s focused on increasing Black representation in the beverage industry. The brand’s unique flavors, like Blackberry Vanilla, blend high-quality natural ingredients with a celebration of Black culture. AfroPop collaborates with local artists to incorporate storytelling into each product, making it more than just a drink but a reflection of diverse and underrepresented voices in the industry.
“AfroPop isn’t just a soda; it’s a celebration of community, culture, and creativity,” said Jamel Stephens, whose pitch emphasized the importance of representation and local collaboration. With plans to expand the brand nationally, AfroPop’s success at Product Pitch Night is a promising start.
Queen Kisses, founded by Tamiqua Whittaker, also stood out with its luxurious all-natural lip care products, earning second place and an additional $1,000 for winning the Audience Choice Award. Queen Kisses offers a three-part system aimed at restoring lip health through coconut oil-based, toxin-free products designed to tackle common issues like dryness and discoloration. With a commitment to natural ingredients and immediate results, Queen Kisses has garnered loyal customers who value effective, safe, and eco-conscious skincare.
Whittaker’s pitch highlighted her professional background in dental health and her passion for creating clean beauty products that cater to consumers with sensitive skin and health-conscious lifestyles. “I want Queen Kisses to be a brand you can trust for quality and results,” she shared, adding that her focus on minimal yet powerful ingredients sets her brand apart from competitors.
Kanicka Joseph, founder of K&K SMILES, earned third place and $5,000 for her natural toothpaste line, created specifically for customers looking for safe and effective oral care alternatives. As a seasoned dental professional, Joseph saw the need for chemical-free options in oral health and developed K&K SMILES to meet that need. Using ingredients like natural charcoal and baking soda, K&K SMILES is committed to promoting gum health, safe teeth whitening, and a brighter, healthier smile.
Kanicka Joseph presentation resonated with the judges and audience, with her engaging pitch explaining the importance of natural oral care products. “Oral health should never be compromised by unnecessary chemicals. K&K SMILES offers a solution that’s simple, safe, and effective,” she noted.
In addition to the winners, Product Pitch Night highlighted three other inspiring founders who showcased innovative solutions across wellness, hydration, and mobile payment technology. Elonda Jones, founder of Daughter of Glow Candle and Wellness Company, presented her line of healing, hypoallergenic candles and skincare products crafted from high-quality, natural ingredients. Allen Eke, founder of Jam Hydration, impressed with an eco-friendly hydration powder that combines natural electrolytes and zero added sugars, appealing to health-conscious consumers. Lastly, Mbaluka Michael Mutinda, founder of DUKAPAQ, who was represented by Jackson Hayward introduced a mobile point-of-sale platform tailored to small and medium-sized enterprises in Sub-Saharan Africa, designed to streamline operations and enhance security.
Each of these entrepreneurs demonstrated a unique vision and a dedication to creating accessible, market-ready products that benefit communities both locally and globally.
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Build in Tulsa extends heartfelt congratulations to these founders, whose work is paving the way for a more inclusive and vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in Tulsa. The organization continues to uphold the legacy of Black Wall Street by empowering underrepresented voices and creating opportunities for wealth-building and innovation.