One last push: Doula bootcamp founder wins PHKC’s $10K pitch after setting due date for success
May 2, 2024 | Taylor Wilmore
James Hogue gave himself a deadline: score a big win for his fledgling nonprofit by May 1 or pursue another career. On April 30, he earned the validation he needed — winning The Porter House KC’s Pitch Night and a $10,000 cash prize.
“Today’s the day right before May, and so the opportunity for us to continue is amazing,” said Hogue, founder of Fathers Assisting Mothers, Tuesday after the award announcement. “It feels really good that what I’m doing is what I’m supposed to be doing and that things are starting to shape up on a much bigger level.”
James Hogue, founder of Fathers Assisting Mothers, receives $10,000 check from Porter House KC; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
The first-place victory cemented Hogue’s belief in the viability of the venture, which is dedicated to equipping expectant fathers with birth education through a male-focused doula training program. Fathers Assisting Mothers empowers dads-to-be to engage actively and knowledgeably in the childbirth journey through coaching, bootcamps, and events.
Hogue appreciates the opportunity from PHKC to delve deeper into the numbers and business aspects of Fathers Assisting Mothers, he said, crafting a canvas of the venture and repeatedly analyzing finances for a more accurate understanding.
“My plan, my competition, my finances, all those things in one place — I hadn’t had an opportunity of people walking me through how to put it all on paper,” he said. “Now, I know that my new price is one that not only gets the mission done, but also feeds me as a business owner.”
James Hogue pitches during the Porter House KC’s Pitch Night event; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
Host Kevin Manning and Miranda Schultz, Porter House KC, entertain the crowd during the Porter House KC’s Pitch Night event; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
PHKC’s pitch night awarded $20,000 overall to entrepreneurs and celebrated the end of the program’s fifth cohort. PHKC supports early-stage businesses facing barriers to launch or achieve growth by providing resources, education and support.
“Each of the pitchers went through their own growing journeys,” said Miranda Shultz, director of operations for PHKC. “Then you get to solidify that and to see their progress on stage was really cooI. I think that the important piece was just for the public to be able to see their growth.”
Click here to learn more about The Porter House KC.
Ravon Johnson, founder of KurlCulture KC, a natural hair salon catering to all curly and coily hair textures, also received the boost she needed for her business, securing second place and $7,000. The funds will support her pursuit of further education in Black hair care and treatment through college classes.
“It’s kind of hard for me to believe. I have terrible stage fright, and so being able to get in front of 50 people was in itself a win for me,” said Johnson. “Even if I didn’t get this, I still could have felt like a winner because I did that.”
Ravon Jefferson, Kurl Culture KC, pitches during the Porter House KC’s Pitch Night event; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
Iyshia Sims, ‘Amir’acle Body Butters and More, accepts her $3,000 check from Charon Thompson, Porter House KC, during Porter House KC’s Pitch Night event. Photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
Third-place winner Lyshia Sims, founder of ‘Amir’acle Body Butters, received $3,000 for her business that provides all natural products like body butters, face moisturizers, face mask, deodorant, and lip balm for beauty without the guilt.
Check out a brief photo gallery, then keep reading. (And see more pitch photos below!)
Cohort members, organizers, and judges at The Porter House KC’s Pitch Night. Photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
Additional Kansas City pitchers who competed at Tuesday’s pitch night included:
Meko Burnett, Raw Imij Nails, pitches at Porter House KC’s Pitch Night. Photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
Raw Imji Nails (Meko Burnett) — Specializes in delivering healthy nails and toes through her manicures and pedicures, using custom-made oils and scrubs and reshaping and reworking nail plates to her clients’ desires.
William Fondren, Hive and Harvest, pitches during the Porter House KC’s Pitch Night event; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
Hive and Harvest (William Fondren) — Meticulously crafted coffee beans, roasted to elevate the coffee experience.
Keisha Jordan pitches during the Porter House KC’s Pitch Night event; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
Complex Flavors (Keisha Jordan) — Urban wallpaper and textile company, celebrating Black culture through custom fabrics, furniture, pillows, and home decor.
Dorothy Betts, Layla is my Joy, pitches during the Porter House KC’s Pitch Night event; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
LaylaIsMyJoy (Dorothy Betts) — Book company providing children’s stories with activities for the whole family.
Carlie Shockey, Beauty Enhancement by Carlie, pitches during the Porter House KC’s Pitch Night event; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
Beauty Enhancement by Carlie (Carlie Shockey) — Specializes in eyelash extensions, body hair removal, and customized facials.
Michelay Green pitches during the Porter House KC’s Pitch Night event; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
Mich on the Mix (Michelay Green) — Offering customized bartending services for special events.
Angela Hughes pitches during the Porter House KC’s Pitch Night event; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
Just a Little Suga (Angela Hughes) — Cottage bakery that provides sweet treats such as pies, cupcakes, cakes, rolls, and more.
Rachel Blankenship, RR Mediation Services, pitches during the Porter House KC’s Pitch Night event; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
RR Mediation Services (Rachel Blankenship) — Domestic court mediation services, helping families decide what works best for them.
Grace Finley, Grace Finley Fitness, pitches during the Porter House KC’s Pitch Night event; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
Grace Finley Fitness (Grace Finley) — Private training studio offering in-person and online training tailored to each individual’s fitness goals.
Deaunte Thomas pitches during the Porter House KC’s Pitch Night event; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
Duddy (Deaunte Thomas) — Self-taught painter turned muralist and art instructor with artwork focused on realism, abstract and impressionist art.
Check out a photo gallery from The Porter House KC’s Pitch Night event below, from Startland News reporters Nikki Overfelt Chifalu and Taylor Wilmore.
Featured Business
Taylor Wilmore
Taylor Wilmore, hailing from Lee’s Summit, is a dedicated reporter and a recent graduate of the University of Missouri, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism. Taylor channels her deep-seated passion for writing and storytelling to create compelling narratives that shed light on the diverse residents of Kansas City.
Prior to her role at Startland News, Taylor made valuable contributions as a reporter for the Columbia Missourian newspaper, where she covered a wide range of community news and higher education stories.
2024 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
WATCH: Faces of KC entrepreneurship find strength in numbers, community resources
A new video from KCSourceLink highlights the faces of Kansas City entrepreneurship — featuring makers, innovators, tech founders and social entrepreneurs — and their connection to the resource network and ecosystem infrastructure in Kansas City. “It takes very special people to be able to put everything on the line,” says Reggie Gray, executive director of Black…
We Create KC report: Half of top VC-backed companies tapped early-stage support
In 2018, 50 percent of the top venture capital-funded companies in Kansas City got their start with early-stage investment programs that emerged after 2012, according to We Create KC 2019, KCSourceLink’s sixth annual state of entrepreneurship report. “That high percentage shows us how important these early-stage investment programs are to our entrepreneurs and our ecosystem,”…
KCultivator Q&A: Jonathan Bender boils down his talents to curate KC food scene
Editor’s note: KCultivators is a lighthearted profile series to highlight people who are meaningfully enriching Kansas City’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The KCultivator Series is sponsored by Plexpod, a progressive coworking platform offering next generation workspace for entrepreneurs, startups, and growth-stage companies of all sizes. He’s mastered the art of pairing the perfect cookie with the crispest…
Time to see green: 3 startups spring into Digital Sandbox KC proof-of-concept program
The path from concept to commercialization has three reinvigorated travelers this spring, Jeff Shackelford said Thursday, announcing the latest early-stage entrepreneurs to join Digital Sandbox KC. The program’s newly joined startups include a tech-driven legal solution and two companies using artificial intelligence to innovate their industries, said Shackelford, executive director of Digital Sandbox KC. “As…