Alchemy Sandbox winners are walking away with more than their $5K prizes, founders say

The latest round of Alchemy Sandbox competitors showcased the perseverance and resilience entrepreneurs need to be successful in the long run, said Charon Thompson, announcing five winners of the small business pitch competition.

“Businesses that continue to do well stay ready so they don’t have to get ready,” said Thompson, co-founder of The Porter House, which organizes the Alchemy Sandbox program. “When you stay ready, you’re prepared for all that’s happening and all that’s expected or may happen as a surprise because you’re making the public more aware of what you offer.”

The Porter House team — Dan Smith, Charon Thompson and Miranda Schultz — with past grant recipient Donnell Jamison, Deep Rooted, second from left, at the Alchemy Sandbox pitch competition; photo courtesy of The Porter House

Alchemy Sandbox provides the five winners not only $5,000 to support their back office, equipment cost, rental assistance, or general system needs, but all competitors gain enhanced skills related to pitching their business, understanding challenges ahead, and better knowing their markets, Thompson emphasized.

“You become comfortable with your business and what you sell, that you’re ready to sell it or talk about the story behind it, at any given moment, anytime,” he said of that always-ready mindset promoted by Alchemy Sandbox and The Porter House. “The level of determination will definitely define how prepared one stays or becomes.”

Remy Abigail, founder of RAW Art Acrylic Paint, was among the winning business owners named after the pitch competition. Hosted on the first day of Global Entrepreneurship Week-Kansas City, the grant recipients were announced this week on social media.

“This program is a game-changer in that it helps to not only give small businesses funding but also supports us along the way with workshops, feedback, resources, leading up to the final pitch,” Abigail said.

“I walked away feeling more confident about speaking about my business, knowledgeable about ways on which I can improve on my pitch, and not to mention the network of connections made with other change makers and influencers in the small business community here in Kansas City,” she continued. “This funding can help scale my business and push it through the statistical downfall of startups. I can’t wait to share how the funding has helped my business grow.”

Click here to follow Remy Abigail.

Other winners of the $5,000 grants included CRWND Illustrations, Dreams KC, Stellar Image Studios, and fightGLOBESITY.

Catina Taylor, Dreams KC, pitches during the Alchemy Sandbox pitch competition; photo courtesy of The Porter House

“Women and minority owned businesses often lack the ability to access the funding they need for technical support and/or capacity building,” said Catina Taylor, founder of Dreams KC, a nonprofit dedicated to literacy issues. “A program like Alchemy positions startup and growth stage businesses, social enterprises, and nonprofits to immediately build capacity and take action to move them forward. Anytime a program like this exists, businesses accelerate their growth.”

More than 40 businesses applied (or reapplied) for direct small dollar funding support from Alchemy Sandbox, according to The Porter House KC. And more than 20 of them participated in a related “How to Pitch” workshop facilitated by Jill Hathaway from the Missouri SBDC at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Alchemy Sandbox is supported through funding from UMB Bank.

CRWND Illustrations

Keliah Smith, founder of CRWND Illustrations — a maker venture that empowers women of color through art, cards and gifts — echoed the sentiment that the pitch competition was a game-changer for small businesses. 

“I attempted this pitch last year but backed out just before presenting because I didn’t feel worthy, ready or confident,” Smith said in a social media post. “This year, I told myself … ‘Girl, we have MOVES to make because it ain’t about you! People need your art and words.’ That’s it. That’s all. Can’t thank God enough for all the doors opening!”

Click here to shop CRWND Illustrations.

“This funding will allow so much growth in all aspects of my business, from product, to quality, to availability, more options and selections, creating a more heightened experience for my customers,” Smith said in a statement.

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