Melissa Littleton

Congratulations to all the winners and competitors of the inaugural pitch competition."

TCC business student Melissa Littleton was one of two Tacoma entrepreneurs who recently won the inaugural Business Idea & Pitch Competition, a partnership between Tacoma Community College and the William Factory Small Business Incubator.

Littleton is currently pursuing a business degree focused in entrepreneurship and will continue her studies in the fall in the Applied Management BAS degree program at TCC. Inspired by her four children, Littleton’s idea is a reversible children’s clothing line that will optimize versatility and reduce clutter. She will be using the awarded funds to mockup clothing samples for her up and coming fashion line.

William Factory virtually hosted the finals for its first annual Business Idea & Pitch Competition with TCC on Friday, April 17. After receiving numerous applications in January, the field was narrowed down to four finalists. Each of the finalists worked with a mentor to prepare for the final competition. Melissa Littleton and another winner were awarded $1,000 each from Commencement Bank and William Factory and as well as other business support services from local organizations.

William Factory Small Business Incubator is a non-profit that assists small businesses and entrepreneurs through their formative years, providing access to resources such as mentorship, financial capital, education, technology, business strategy and connections. Since 2018 it has been located in Building 18 at Tacoma Community College.

“Congratulations to all the winners and competitors of the inaugural pitch competition. The William Factory hosted a great event and Tacoma Community College’s business programs were pleased to participate,” Mary Jane Oberhofer, Program Chair of Entrepreneurship and Global Logistics, Applied Management BAS Degree said. “We look forward to working together to foster more great talent and ideas for next year.”

Photo used by permission of Melissa Littleton