CENTER VALLEY, Pa. — Twenty-one entrepreneurs and community members gathered April 16 at Penn State Lehigh Valley for a LaunchBox Ladies Speaker event that focused on the art and evolution of the business pitch.
Hosted by Lehigh Valley LaunchBox powered by Penn State, the program featured speaker Giana Jarrah, founder and CEO of With Meraki Co., alongside moderator Jevata Crawford, founder of Project Move, for a discussion on how entrepreneurs can effectively communicate their ideas and connect with audiences.
The event took place in the Ronald K. De Long Gallery against the backdrop of the spring painting exhibit, “Like It Is” by Femi J. Johnson. The setting reinforced the event’s emphasis on storytelling as a key component of successful pitching. Jarrah shared how her approach has evolved since launching her company, noting a shift from highly technical presentations to more connection-driven messaging.
“The ‘why’ is really important,” Jarrah said. “It’s how you get people to believe in what you’re building.”
Jarrah, a 2022 graduate of Lehigh University’s biomedical engineering program, founded With Meraki Co., a women’s wellness company focused on probiotic and prebiotic supplements for urinary and vaginal health. She said her personal experiences helped shape both her business and the way she communicates its mission.
Crawford, a 2021 LaunchBox Idea TestLab winner and member of the LaunchBox Ladies committee, reinforced the importance of authenticity in pitching. Drawing on her experience leading Project Move, a move management and estate clearing company serving the Lehigh Valley, she encouraged participants to clearly communicate their passion and purpose.
“If you don’t believe in what you’re saying, your audience will feel that,” Crawford said.
The event also reflected a broader shift for the Lehigh Valley LaunchBox, which is preparing to expand its presence in downtown Allentown and increase its focus on smaller, community-centered programming.
The next opportunity for entrepreneurs to engage with LaunchBox Ladies will be the 4th Annual LaunchBox Ladies Pitch Competition on June 24 in the Nittany Café at Penn State Lehigh Valley. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., with the competition beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Participants will compete for a $2,500 grand prize, a $1,500 runner-up prize and a $1,000 Audience Choice prize. The event is open to the public and will include light refreshments.
“The pitch competition is a LaunchBox Ladies signature event that provides a supportive platform for up-and-coming female entrepreneurs,” said Tiffany Valdes-Madera, business development coordinator at Lehigh Valley LaunchBox.
More information and registration details are available on the Lehigh Valley LaunchBox website.