Although everything went wrong, we successfully pitched ChiChi at the Great Brands show in NYC! The room was packed with investors and food founders I admire (ALOHA, Sakara Life, Mezcla), and we handed out ChiChi chocolate chip waffle samples at our table.
And because failures are more interesting, here are the things that went wrong
1) We couldn’t find a microwave anywhere in midtown (I checked Target, Jack's, Lot-Less), so instead of serving regular ChiChi hot cereal, we had to improvise with waffles.
2) I didn’t rehearse the pitch ahead of time. While cooking waffles and talking with investors, I was simultaneously practicing the pitch in my head—not fun.
3) I forgot to eat breakfast (off-brand, I know, but we didn't have a microwave to make ChiChi!) and I felt terrible by midday due to stress and hunger.
But at the last second we pulled it together, we pitched our hearts out and made a few great connections (manifesting QVC 🫣).
Plus, I realized I need to have more fun at opportunities like these (I was stressed af)