Lunch and Nerves
After the first round of pitches, the 50 of us gathered for lunch.
It should have been a chance to relax, but my nerves didn’t get the memo. I felt wild-eyed, in awe of the incredible entrepreneurs around me. Listening to their stories—businesses polished, passionate, and purposeful—I kept thinking, This is the real deal. I’m so lucky to be here.
But the truth? I was also wondering if I could measure up.
The Top 10 Announcement
After lunch, we gathered and took our seats in the main auditorium. The energy was electric.
Then came the moment: announcing the Top 10 finalists.
When my name was called—number seven—I froze for a second. Shock. Disbelief. Pride. And then, the rush of now what?!? all at once.
I had made it. But that meant pitching again—this time in front of 3 esteemed judges and the entire room.
The Stage
If you’ve ever watched Dragon’s Den, picture that—but live.
One by one, we each walked to the stage to deliver the same three-minute pitch we had shared that morning. The contestants before me were inspiring: polished, professional, and absolutely on point.
And then it was my turn.
The stage seemed massive, the lights impossibly bright. I could barely see the audience. My heart was pounding, but instead of panic, I felt something else:
I belonged here.
I told myself, It’s now or never. Just tell your story.
Three Minutes That Changed Everything
I launched into my pitch, sharing how Canadian Handywoman was born, the women I serve, and the vision for a workshop where women could learn DIY skills without judgment.
I knew I had three minutes—and not a second more. Funny enough, I didn’t even notice the timer at my feet until I was done speaking. It didn’t matter–I had my pitch down cold.
And then it happened.
When I finished, the audience erupted in applause.
For me. For my story. For my dream of helping women feel confident, independent, and in control.
What Happened Next
When we ten were done, the judges deliberated while we waited, hearts in our throats.
And then came the announcement I’ll never forget.
👉 Stay tuned for Part 5—where I’ll share what it meant to be named one of five national winners of Startup Canada’s Equal Slice Pitch Competition, and how that moment has shaped what’s next for Canadian Handywoman.
👉 Read the Full Winning Pitch:
See exactly what I shared to earn $10,000 for Canadian Handywoman. Click HERE to download my pitch. I hope it gives you the little nudge you need to share your own big idea.
👉 Sometimes you just need to talk it through
If you’ve got a project in mind or a skill you’d like to build, I’d love to help you out. If you’re unsure where to start, book a free 15-minute Discovery Call and we’ll chat about your project or repair. Ready to get right to it? Book a 45-minute Confidence Call ($99) and get clear answers, a solid plan, and the know-how to move forward — no guesswork, no stress.
👉 Looking for a Speaker or Collaborator?
If your organization believes in empowering women, confidence and mindset, or workshops for women, I’d love to connect. Click here to book a discovery call with me today!
