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In a world of movers, makers and shakers, the Louisiana 4-H Program is on the hunt for innovative, business-minded students to compete in the 4-H University Tiger Tank Entrepreneurship Contest. Each summer, 4-H’ers with entrepreneurial spirits have an opportunity to pitch their business ideas to some of the savviest “Tigers” — or judges — in Louisiana. Whether 4-H’ers are working hard to make it in “Death Valley,” or they dream of making it in Silicon Valley, the panel of strategically recruited Tigers will fight to support businesses that have potential to be successful.
The Tiger Tank Entrepreneurship Contest offers youth the opportunity to create a product or service-based business plan and pitch. There are two divisions offered: Ideation and Up and Running. Many of the business ideas are inspired by the competitors’ 4-H project work. The winners of each division receive a cash award sponsored by the Mott Foundation. They are encouraged to reinvest the award to strengthen their business and personal entrepreneurial skill sets.
As the 2021 Tiger Tank contest winners reflected on their experience, they shared the following insights.
Natchitoches Parish 4-H members Katie Anderson and Hannah Roquemore won the Ideation division with their Amazing Graze business idea for on-the-go charcuterie-style snack boxes.
■ What was your favorite part of preparing for and competing in the 2021 Tiger Tank contest?
My favorite part of preparing and competing in the Tiger Tank competition was presenting our pitch to the judges. Preparing and making our business model was enjoyable, but presenting our business was exciting. Everyone gets nervous, but I was lucky to have such a great partner to answer questions with.
■ What was your biggest takeaway from the contest?
My biggest takeaway from this competition was right after the competition. Hannah and I started giggling because there were some obvious mistakes in our budget! That’s okay, and we knew we were there to learn. Miscalculated budget or not, it worked out in the end.
You may have learned some new skills while preparing for the contest. How do you think these skills will help you in the future in your career?
Through this contest I learned many new skills. I’d never written a business plan before. Now that I’ve moved away to college and am majoring in marketing, I know I’ll be writing more business plans. The contest motivated me, and I feel excited about my college major.
■ What was your favorite part of the Tiger Tank contest?
My favorite part of the Tiger Tank competition was the actual competition day. Pitching to the judges was a great experience. Even though it was nerve-racking, it was awesome to get feedback from the judges on what they would do if they were in our position.
■ What was your biggest takeaway from the contest?
My biggest takeaway from this competition would definitely have to be that this could be a really successful business that could be scaled beyond the one that we’ve piloted at our local farmer’s market.
■ You may have learned some new skills while preparing for the contest. How do you think these skills will help you in the future in your career?
Tiger Tank helped me develop skills I can use in my future career, for example by knowing your community and your potential customers. You have to know your community to know what they might like and be willing to purchase. Living in Louisiana, we knew that many of our potential customers would like spicier things. Knowing this, we included spicier meats on our charcuterie board and in our snack boxes.
Tangipahoa Parish 4-H'er Eliza Foster won the Up and Running division with her Breakfast Laid Daily business, which focuses on marketing and selling freshly farmed chicken eggs to local businesses and individuals.
■ What was your favorite part of preparing for and competing in Tiger Tank?
My favorite parts of the Tiger Tank contest were creating eye-catching visuals, practicing for my friends and family, and getting to show other people how a little work can go a long way. My creativity was able to shine through in this contest by having to create a poster to represent my business. Practice makes perfect, and practicing allowed me to show off my business in an informal yet effective way. Presenting my business to the panel of judges made me truly realize how far I have come. This business started out as a 9-year-old trying her hardest to scratch up a few pennies. Now it has become a 14-year-old being able to not only please herself but help the community also.
■ You may have learned some new skills while preparing for the contest. How do you think these skills will help you in the future in your career?
Some new skills that I have learned from this contest are memorization skills, confidence and patience. I had to memorize my business pitch, which took time and effort. Walking into a room full of judges you have never seen before is pretty scary. Confidence is important so that you look prepared and not scared. Patience is important. For the contest, I had to wait for my turn. I had to wait for the judge’s question, and I had to wait for the results of the contest. All these skills will be used in life as time goes on.
