Arkansas's first all-women pitch competition celebrating bold ideas, early-stage founders, and the women building the future of business.
A high-impact evening where women entrepreneurs take the stage to deliver powerful 60-second pitches — no slides, no props, no notes. Just clarity, confidence, and vision.
Pitch registration includes the opportunity to pitch live on stage and three complimentary event tickets.
Build Her was created to elevate women entrepreneurs with bold ideas and early-stage businesses.
This high-energy pitch competition gives founders the opportunity to take the stage, share their vision, and connect with community leaders, mentors, investors, sponsors, and supporters who believe in women-led innovation.
Unlike traditional pitch events, Build Her keeps the focus on authentic storytelling, confidence, and communication. Each founder has just 60 seconds to pitch live — without slides, props, or notes.
For women founders, a mentor who opens a door, a sponsor who believes early, a customer who hears the story — Build Her brings those people into one place for one powerful evening.
A single stage moment can put your business in front of the people who change everything.
Sixty seconds. No slides. Just you, your idea, and a room that's rooting for you.
Meet community leaders who actively invest in women-led innovation across Arkansas.
The momentum doesn't end on event night. Build Her is a growing founder community.
Build Her is designed for women entrepreneurs ready to share a bold idea, early-stage business, side hustle, or founder story. You need a clear idea, a strong reason, and the courage to take the stage.
Submit your pitch application and tell us about your idea.
Selected founders are invited to pitch live on stage.
Refine your 60-second story with clarity and confidence.
Step on stage with no slides, no props, no notes.
Meet judges, sponsors, mentors, founders, and supporters.
Compete for prizes and leave with visibility and momentum.
Whether you are a founder, business leader, student, sponsor, mentor, or friend, Build Her is designed for you.
60-second live pitches from women entrepreneurs
Networking with founders, mentors, investors, and sponsors
Community-driven support for women-led businesses
Local business leaders and accomplished judges
Founder recognition and prize awards
Inspiration, collaboration, and innovation
Build Her invites women entrepreneurs to step onto the stage and pitch live in front of a supportive community of leaders, founders, sponsors, and judges.
$45 includes the chance to pitch live + 3 complimentary tickets.
Founders leave Build Her with new connections, new confidence, and new doors opening.
Build Her features a panel of accomplished women business leaders and entrepreneurs who are passionate about supporting the next generation of founders.
Nicole built and sold her marketing agency Mojo Marketing, and owns multiple Crumbl Cookies locations in NWA. She brings sharp insight, scaling experience, and big 'you can do this' energy.
April leads femPAQ, a mission-driven company changing the conversation around women's health and access to period care. Proof that purpose and profit grow side by side.
Ericka Young-Melber is an entrepreneur, community leader, and CEO of Young’s Moving Service, an award-winning company she built from the ground up after beginning her business journey at just 17 years old. Today, Young’s is recognized as Arkansas’s only 100% woman-owned moving company, proudly operating debt-free and delivering trusted residential, commercial, local, and long-distance moving services with excellence and integrity. Under her leadership, the company has earned numerous honors, including Best of the Best for eight consecutive years, Top 30 Leaders Under 30, and Top Family Business in Northwest Arkansas. In addition to Young’s Moving Service, Ericka owns and co-founded three additional companies, expanding her impact across business development, community empowerment, and service-based industries throughout Northwest Arkansas. A devoted wife and mother of six, Ericka is passionate about serving the senior community and building strong networks of women who uplift, empower, and lead together. As moderator for The Future of Work: AI & Women’s Careers, she brings energy, clarity, and a deep belief that women are not just adapting to the future — they are shaping it. Her guiding principle: “To truly MOVE forward in business and life: Motivate with purpose, Observe with intention, Visualize with empathy, and Empathize with heart.”
Owner and Founder of The Organizer Chicks, Amber Taggard is a Professional Organizer, time-management coach, and public speaker. She holds a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health, and is passionate about using her counseling psychology background to help people improve their mental and emotional health by creating peaceful and productive physical spaces. Professional highlights for her include being a contributor to Forbes, giving a TED Talk, and being a Better Business Bureau “Torch Award for Ethics” winner. She is also the Winner of Season 5 of “The Blox” – the world’s largest live-in reality TV show for entrepreneurs, which can be seen on Prime, and has returned as a Judge and Mentor for Seasons 13, 17, and 21. Amber is a mother of 4 incredibly fun kids, enjoys taking on a crafting project every now and then, and is working on writing a book that she hopes you’ll enjoy and benefit from.
Build Her was created by two passionate entrepreneurs committed to empowering women founders, strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and creating meaningful opportunities for women to grow, connect, and succeed. Together, they're building more than a pitch competition—they're building a community where bold ideas become thriving businesses.
Windy Elstermeier is the Founder and CEO of Pivotal Solutions and Jane Wick, where she helps organizations, entrepreneurs, and leaders develop stronger teams, healthier workplace cultures, and sustainable business growth. With extensive experience in leadership development, executive coaching, organizational strategy, and business consulting, Windy is passionate about helping people unlock their potential and turn bold ideas into measurable results. As co-founder of Build Her, she is dedicated to creating opportunities for women entrepreneurs by providing access to mentorship, education, community connections, and a platform where founders can confidently share their vision.
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Cat Hutchings is the Founder and CEO of WonderLight Jewelry, a women-led company based in Bentonville, Arkansas. Since launching her business in 2010, she has grown the brand into an internationally recognized company with more than 200,000 sales and products carried in hundreds of boutiques worldwide. Her passion for entrepreneurship, creativity, and empowering others is reflected in every aspect of her business. As co-founder of Build Her, Cat is committed to helping women entrepreneurs gain confidence, visibility, and meaningful connections within their communities.
Connect on LinkedInBuild Her is more than a pitch competition—it's a growing community dedicated to empowering women founders through mentorship, education, networking, and meaningful opportunities. Join us as we celebrate innovation, courage, and the next generation of women-led businesses.
Sponsors are more than financial supporters—they are partners in creating opportunities, building confidence, and accelerating the success of women entrepreneurs across Northwest Arkansas. Your sponsorship directly helps founders share their ideas, compete for prize funding, and connect with business leaders, investors, and the community.
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Your sponsorship helps fund more than an event. It helps create the entire Build Her Forward experience—from cash prizes for women founders to professional event production, participant gifts, food and beverages, marketing, photography, networking opportunities, and the resources needed to give 30–50 women a powerful platform to share their ideas.
Our goal is to remove barriers for women who want to participate while creating an experience that feels professional, exciting, and worthy of the bold ideas they bring into the room.
When you sponsor Build Her Forward, you're helping put women entrepreneurs on the stage—and giving them the visibility, connections, confidence, and resources to take their next step.
Interested in sponsoring Build Her but unsure which partnership level is the best fit?
Our team would love to discuss sponsorship opportunities, customized partnerships, and how your organization can become part of Arkansas's premier women's pitch competition.
Take your seat for the evening of pitches, prizes, and connections.
Reserve a SeatIncludes the chance to pitch live + 3 complimentary event tickets.
Apply to PitchBuild Her is more than an event — it's a launchpad. Apply, attend, or sponsor and become part of Arkansas's bold new founder movement.
