Lily Streeton Wins $2,000 Prize in Gardner-Webb Godbold College of Business’ Dawg Pitch Competition

Event Held During Entrepreneurship Week with Additional Competitions for High School and Community College Students 

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—The Gardner-Webb University Godbold College of Business recently hosted Entrepreneurship Week. The event was highlighted by business pitch competitions for high school and community college students as well as Gardner-Webb students. Community partners—Uptown Shelby Association, Cleveland County Economic Development Partnership, Cleveland County Chamber and the Town of Boiling Springs—helped to sponsor the event.

The week ended with the College of Business hosting an etiquette dinner for Gardner-Webb students held at the Cleveland Country Club. They learned professional etiquette with Rachel Rushing.

The Dawg Pitch competition for Gardner-Webb students included a $2,000 cash prize for first place. Enterprise sponsored the event, which also offered cash prizes for second, third and student choice winners. Judges were Carly Bostic, executive director, Uptown Shelby Association and Courtney Ashley, executive director, Cleveland County Economic Development Partnership. 

The winners and their pitches were:

• First Place: Lily Streeton, Eden, $2,000
• Second Place: Brixan Burgess, Bridging the Gap, $1,000
• Third Place: Christian Roder, High Tide Baseball, $500
• Student Choice: Brixan Burgess, Bridging the Gap, $250

Streeton’s project, “Eden,” is to create a beginner-friendly garden mapping/planning software. The idea came from her background in the farming industry and passion for home gardening and sustainable living. “I am so thankful for the opportunity I had to present at the DAWG Pitch, and it was a true honor that my idea was selected as the winner of this competition!” affirmed Streeton, an accounting major and 2024 winner of the Tucker Scholarship, the University’s highest honor for incoming undergraduate students.

“I approached the competition with no expectations of winning; however, I saw it as an opportunity to grow in my public speaking skills along with my experience creating thorough business plans, as I do anticipate owning my own business one day,” she continued, “Of course, I had some nerves as I began speaking in front of the judges and crowd of students, but I simply reminded myself that every presentation is merely a conversation. I definitely gained more confidence in my public speaking and presentation skills, and I grew as a business student and aspiring business owner.”

High School Competition Results

The Cleveland County Chamber sponsored the pitch competition for Cleveland County high school students. They competed for a chance to win a $1,000 scholarship. Judges were Elizabeth Champion, president/CEO, Cleveland County Chamber; Cindy Estridge, community relations operations specialist, Albemarle Corporation; and Eric Cooperman Sr. director, Entrepreneurship Programs, Furman University. 

First place winners and their pitches were:

• Shelby High School: Caroline Curtis, The Plant Palace
• Crest High School: Rylee Summer, Buckets of Love
• Burns High School: Jaxon Self, High Tide Surf Shop
• Kings Mountain High School: Chesney Gibson, Crazy Sister Cattle Company
• Pinnacle Classical Academy: Casey Greene, Casey Ray Music

Second place winners and their pitches were:

• Shelby High School: Elease Taylor, EST, 2007 Bakery
• Burns High School: Marshall McGowan, Diversified Performance Training
• Kings Mountain High School: Jordan Patterson, Lagomorph Logistics

Community College Competition Results

The Ingle Group sponsored the competition for students enrolled in community colleges from the surrounding region. They also competed for a chance to win a $1,000 scholarship. Judges were Gardner-Webb University faculty members: Dr. Christine Sutton, associate professor of management and Dr. R.J. Quillinan, assistant professor of law. 

The winner was Catawba Valley Community College with their pitch for Soda & Savor. Team members were Riley Land, Dhyan Patel, Saarah Majeed, and Xavier Springs.

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.