Native Hawaiian and Cherokee business based in Kailua, Hawai’i, USA wins $1,000 and advances to the Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale
On September 13th, Pow Wow Pitch, an Indigenous-led non-profit organization that hosts a Turtle Island wide Indigenous Business Pitch Competition for Indigenous entrepreneurs, presented in partnership with RBC, Shopify and Mastercard Canada, announced Isabelle Dabbs, the Native Hawaiian and Cherokee Founder of Witch’s Brew Nutrients, a business based in Kailua, HI, USA as the 2024 Pow Wow Pitch Innovation Semi-Final Winner. Isabelle has won $1,000 and is advancing to the Grand Finale for a chance to win $25,000 to grow her business.
More than 300 Indigenous entrepreneurs from across Turtle Island (Canada and the United States) applied to Pow Wow Pitch this year for their chance to win cash prizes and advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale. From the 300 applicants, 100 were selected as Semi-Finalists and provided with training and mentorship to prepare for their semi-final pitch to the Judges.
Last Friday, four Youth Semi-Finalists had the opportunity to pitch their organizations and community initiatives in one-minute for their chance to win an industry prize and advance as a finalist.
Judges included Chad Garlow, Senior Manager of Indigenous Peoples Development Program at RBC; Johannes Valdes, Senior Social Impact Manager at Shopify; Imtiaz Qureshi, Manager Deal Management at Mastercard Canada; Sara Aghvami, Director of Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Belonging at Best Buy Canada; and Pamela Devonshire, Business Development Manager of ecommerce and Parcels at Canada Post.
“I’m hoping to build and market my business, help communities form a deeper connection to nature, and revive ideas of sustainability and care for our aina (land) all across our country.,” shared Isabelle Dabbs, Founder of Witch’s Brew Nutrients. “There’s a lot that goes into starting a business. You’re able to learn things about yourself and grow as an individual, and that’s what makes starting and running a business so special. All I can say to other Indigenous entrepreneurs is to remember that no idea is too big or too small, and so long as you stay determined anything is possible.”
Witch’s Brew Nutrients is a new, eco-friendly approach to the average plant fertilizer that uses all natural ingredients and traditional knowledge to help plants flourish. Isabelle and her father came up with the idea to find an all natural solution to regular fertilizer that normally contains chemicals and additives that degrades soil quality. Isabelle’s mission is to provide a sustainable alternative to farmers, gardeners, and those looking to lead a more sustainable life through horticulture.
Isabelle pitched to win funds to expand her small production into a larger scale to provide products across the island of Oahu and eventually into the mainland of the US to help more communities. Isabelle hopes to achieve this goal by purchasing the necessary machinery, bottles, and packaging to scale up production of her liquid fertilizer. She hopes to inspire other young Indigenous entrepreneurs to take on challenges and try something new.
“I’d like to thank my 8th grade Agriculture teacher, for always supporting me and getting me into this business in the first place, thank you Ms.Espie!” expressed Isabelle. “It was such a surreal and emotional moment when I found out I was moving forward, but I’m so grateful to everyone who has supported me so far and gave me the opportunity to be able to do this.”
The judges congratulate Isabelle for a job well done in her pitch and for clearly communicating how her passion for nature can promote ecological balance and inspire Indigenous youth.
“First I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of the youth who pitched their businesses, you all demonstrated courage and make me feel so proud to see such amazing emerging entrepreneurs,” said Naomi Sarazin, Executive Director of Pow Wow Pitch. “And way to go Isabelle on your Semi-Final win and for advancing to the 2024 Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale. Isabelle’s eco-friendly venture is a shining example of how Indigenous entrepreneurs are harnessing traditional knowledge to create sustainable solutions that support the protection and care of our lands. We look forward to spotlighting Isabelle and sharing more about Witch’s Brew Nutrients with the Pow Wow Pitch community and growing our impact together.”
Alongside selecting a winner, the judges also acknowledge the Runner Up for the Youth industry category. Simon Monteith, Founder of Simon the Scientist, was recognized for his engaging presentation and passion for inclusive science education for fellow Indigenous youth.
“Pow Wow Pitch is an incredible showcase of Indigenous trailblazers who are making a transformative impact on our communities with their resilience, ingenuity and unwavering commitment to success.” said Tracy Antoine, Senior Director of Indigenous Programs and Policies at RBC. “We’re so proud of all our participants and semi-finalists – their courage to participate leads to life achievements and their shared stories are truly inspirational. We are committed to supporting their growth and success in the future.”
“Being involved in Pow Wow Pitch is not just an honour, it’s a privilege to witness the creativity and innovation of Indigenous entrepreneurs,” said Kyle Brennan Shàwinipinesì, Senior Lead for Indigenous Entrepreneurship at Shopify. “It’s a reminder of the resilience and strength of our communities and the power of entrepreneurship to create positive change. Shopify has played a proud role in supporting Pow Wow Pitch, so it is exciting to see how things have grown over the years. What an incredible opportunity for Indigenous entrepreneurs!”
“The innovative thinking and solutions brought forward by all the Indigenous entrepreneurs involved in this year’s Pow Wow Pitch have been truly inspiring,” said Sasha Krstic, President of Mastercard Canada. “At Mastercard, we’re committed to working with partners like Pow Wow Pitch to unlock access to resources and opportunities for entrepreneurs across the diverse communities we serve to power economies and empower people. Congratulations to all the pitchers and congratulations to Isabelle on advancing to the next round.”
To watch Isabelle’s winning pitch, click here. To watch the Youth Semi-Final episode, click here.
Isabelle will now advance to the Pow Wow Pitch Grand Finale to pitch for the Grand Prize of $25,000, which broadcasts online on October 23rd. Register to watch the 2024 Grand Finale at powwowpitch.org/register.