What does the creator of a baby sound machine designed
primarily to soothe colicky babies have in common with the maker of vegan and
gluten-free granola and related products?
Both female entrepreneurs who received mentoring services
from SCORE Bucks County, Samantha Myers, founder of ByeByeCry and Rochelle Berg, who founded Living Smart Granola, nabbed the top
awards in the recent Spark
Bowl.
To request a SCORE mentor, visit score.org/buckscounty.
Held at Delaware Valley University, the fourth annual “Shark
Tank” style competition featured business pitches from five Bucks County business
finalists who were selected following a preliminary pitch prior to the
in-person competition. Each business finalist was paired with a student team
and an advisor who worked collaboratively to create a compelling five-minute
pitch while contemplating business projections, costs associated with making
and selling products and future growth.
The first-place winner, Myers won $12,000, which she said
will be earmarked for marketing, as well as keeping her soon-to-be-launched
ByeByeCry app updated.
“My dream is to go on ‘Shark Tank.’ After a few rounds of
pitching, I would definitely love to apply,” Myers said. “My vision for the app
is to have a global impact on families around the world struggling with colic
and let them know they’re not alone.”
A Warrington mom of two colicky daughters, Myers got the
idea for her sound machine while on maternity leave with her youngest daughter
and launched ByeByeCry in March. Myers told judges she’s sold more than 1,100
sound machines, which are available for purchase on Amazon.
Considering an estimated 30 percent of the 3.75 million babies born in the U.S.
have colic, Myers estimates that her product will net $1.5 million in three
years.
Her subscription-based app will offer the 10 sounds
available on the ByeByeCry sound machine, as well as five bonus sounds, along
with 24/7 tips for parents and caregivers of colicky infants.
Read
Samantha Myers’ story.
Like Myers, Berg’s business was built from a personal
passion. In her case, that devotion focused on creating healthy granola
products that anyone can enjoy, regardless of their dietary needs. A
second-place winner, the New Hope entrepreneur claimed $6,000 and plans to
invest the award into marketing her nutritious homemade products. To date, she
has not spent any money marketing her granola, which she produces in 100-pound
batches every two weeks.
“This has all just been from people liking our stuff and our
small community spreading the word for us,” she said. “My product tastes better
than everything else out there. Anyone with an allergy can eat it and that’s
such a rare thing.”
Berg’s products can be purchased online (with free delivery
in Bucks County) and can be purchased in-person at several area farmers
markets. Looking ahead, Berg told judges she anticipates doubling her revenue
in 2024 and sees her product in health food stores, as well as Whole Foods.
Read
Rochelle Berg’s story.
In opening the Spark Bowl, Tanya Casas, Delaware Valley
University School of Business, Arts and Sciences Dean said the competition
allows students to see firsthand some of the planning and problem-solving that
young businesses contemplate. The contest also highlighted what the university
does best: “experiential education and experiential learning,” she said.
About SCORE
Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 11 million aspiring entrepreneurs. Each
year, SCORE provides small business mentoring and workshops to more
than 375,000 new and growing small businesses.?With more than 70 members
across Bucks and Eastern Montgomery counties, SCORE Bucks?County?provides
over 4,300 free mentoring services annually to local small
business owners through one-on-one counseling and small business
seminars. To stay up to date on news and happenings, join SCORE Bucks
County’s email list. Text SCOREBUCKS to 22828.
