Jarita Frazier King, Women’s Business Center client, wins business pitch event in Vicksburg

Jarita Frazier King, Women’s Business Center client, wins business pitch event in Vicksburg

Alcorn State University’s newest Women’s Business Center is already producing award-winning entrepreneurs after its recent opening.

Jarita Frazier King, a client of the WBC and owner of Natchez Heritage School of Cooking, won a pitch event during Innovate Mississippi’s Hinds Community College/Small Business Development Center Vicksburg Pitch Event. The reward included $7,600 in funding for business development.

Innovate Mississippi works directly with pre-revenue and post-revenue startups to develop business strategies, find funding, and grow businesses. The company also organizes investor resources in Mississippi to help clients secure early-stage funding. The company has significant economic impact, as it has helped develop over 1,500 new companies and connected them with over $181 million in seed and venture capital, resulting in new high-paying jobs being created in the state.

The accomplishment caught King off-guard, as she never expected to receive recognition during the event.

“I was shocked,” said King. “I did not expect to be selected to compete, nor did I think I would win. I was nervous during the competition. Despite being a public speaker, this opportunity was different. My husband, my business partner, attended too and saw how nervous I was. Had it not been for him telling me that they called my name, I think I would’ve still been in disbelief.”

King credits Daye Dearing, director of the Center, for assisting her and leading her to the perfect professional to help her formulate her business pitch.

“The Center would send me emails about workshops and its experts. I called Daye Deering for help, and she gave me more details about finding a pitch expert to help me. She introduced me to Mrs. Sandra Howell, and for three days, Mrs. Howell worked with me on my pitch project.”

King is grateful for the Center’s presence.

“The WBC provides great resources. The Center has assisted me in providing a family legacy for my children by helping my business develop the Drive Time Meals Delivery and Meal Manage System. The WBC and its partners are helping me become a driving force in bringing products from the Fram truck to the table.”