Local entrepreneurs showcase innovative products, business ideas for Texarkana Pitch competition

TEXARKANA, Ark. (KTAL/KSHV) – Local entrepreneurs gathered in downtown Texarkana on Tuesday night to compete in a “Shark Tank” style competition.

Ten finalists out of over 50 entries were invited to pitch their product, technology, or service to a panel of judges for the ‘Pitch It’ Texarkana competition.

The pitches ranged from established businesses looking to grow and also entrepreneurs looking for the capital to get their ideas off the ground.

They were all competing for a $7500 prize.

This year’s winner was Jillian Woodruff and her business, Waderbuddy.

“It started from a passion that I had hunting with my dad, something that we’ve shared a bond with over years past, but over the last several years, he’s had issues with removing his duck hunting waiters. And so I created a product that will allow my dad to have the confidence to not have to ask for anybody for help while taking his duck hunting waiters off and could allow him to stay in the woods, duck hunting for many more years,” said Woodruff.

Second place and $5000 went to Andrea Smith and her women’s-only gym, Resilience Studios.

Third place came with $2500 and went to muralist Darlene Taylor.