Nikki’s Note Greetings from Silicon Valley!
Hello from Sunnyvale, with one of the judges, Eric Manlunus
This week, I’m reflecting on the excitement of my journey as an entrepreneur and the incredible experience of winning my first-ever investor pitch in Silicon Valley! Admittedly, I was nervous — 99% of the pitches in the competition were tech-focused, but I knew the only way to approach the competition was leaning into the very thing that makes us different. It reminded me of my early days in advertising gaining invaluable experience that still informs my approach to brand building today. Winning feels like incredible validation, but participating and putting myself out there is often the biggest task. Everything else is feedback! This recent win brought back that same exhilarating rush of winning a client and underscored the importance of refining our vision, importance of articulation and communicating trust to push forward.
With each step in developing my next project, I’m reminded of the power of differentiation and the intention entrepreneurs must have in crafting and owning their narrative. Today, I had the opportunity to talk with Ricky Silver, recently promoted to CEO of Daily Harvest, a premium, plant-based frozen food which started DTC and recently launched in retail. I’m grateful for his industry insights, which deepened my perspective on my new project. Check out his recent talk here for more insights into building an innovative food brand with emphasis on sustainability.
As we move into the end of the year, I’m feeling inspired by what’s next. To everyone following along, thank you for being part of this journey. Here’s to more wins, new chapters, and keeping our roots strong as we build toward the future!
Thank you to all Christeen Rico (not pictured) and her whole team that put this opportunity together. I’m looking forward to growing with all of you!
With respect and admiration,
Nicole Ponseca
Christina Laskowski
Special thanks to Christina Laskowski, my mentor for the competition, who recently passed away on October 23rd. As busy as she was with her responsibilities as an investor, professor at The University of San Francisco and a doting mother, she was incredibly generous with her time to me, offering me advice in crafting the pitch and believing in me and my abilities. We are saddened to hear of her passing and give our condolences to her family, friends and colleagues. A gentle reminder that whether life is brief or enduring, one truth remains — it is precious beyond measure.
5 Key Takeaways from My Pitch Experience that Might Help You!
Strategize, Prepare, and Rehearse in Advance
Dedicate ample time to refine and rehearse your pitch, with the aim of completing 90% of it at least two days before the event. This way, the remaining time can be spent polishing gestures, pacing, and using body language effectively on stage, which adds depth and presence to the delivery.
Know Your Stage of Development
Understand where you are in the life cycle of your product or business. It’s okay if not every aspect is fully developed in Angel or Pre-seed, but be prepared to explain why and outline your plan to address any gaps. Acknowledging this shows investors that you're intentional and strategic, even if there’s more to build.Incorporate Storytelling to Build Credibility
Experiment with storytelling. Most pitches focus the beginning on the problem and solution. I found I had more credibility in emphasizing my experience and my understanding of building a brand, which gave way to a natural progression to my next success!Prioritize Progress Over Perfection
Avoid getting caught up in making every detail perfect. Initially, your pitch may run long or seem rough around the edges; that’s okay. The goal is to move forward, adapt, and welcome constructive feedback, all of which refine your final presentation.Embrace Intentions and Connections
Be clear on your purpose for pitching and allow yourself grace to explore and grow. While winning is fantastic, the real value can also be found in clarifying your business vision and connecting with other founders. The relationships and insights gained from a group setting can be just as rewarding as the win itself.
MIAMI
Meanwhile, back in Miami
The 2024 Banana Catchup is a wrap!
A heartfelt thank you to all the kids, performers, attendees, organizers, and vendors who made the Second Annual Banana Catchup such a memorable event! It was a joy to spend time with you once again, and this year’s festival was truly special, with more food vendors and fresh twists on Filipino cuisine. Together, we’re sharing and expanding Filipino food and culture — one lumpia at a time! There was karaoke (naturally), fab food and good times.
Looking up the Filipino demographics in Miami, at last count there were 647 Filipinos in the area. I hope this kind of event brings us closer together, brings pride to Filipino-Americans and raises the awareness and curiosity to our culture.
Huge thanks to 1-800-Lucky, KN Public Relations, and my wonderful co-hosts, Cheryl Tiu and Darren Mendoza, for bringing this vision to life. Until next time, folks!
Photography: Cheryl Tiu
ENTREPRENEURIAL SPOTLIGHT
Ives and Bees
Sisters, Vanessa in St. Petersburg & Ivy in Miami, owners of Ives and Bees
“Our journey began with a passion for handmade natural soaps and candles, which has evolved into a commitment to offering a range of handcrafted natural products. Celebrating transparency and authenticity, we've also expanded our offerings to include a collection that showcases our Filipino heritage, aiming for greater representation. At the same time, we continue to strive to make our products as accessible as possible while running our small business in a conscientious manner. We hope you enjoy our products as much as we enjoy creating them!”
Ives and Bees is a Miami-based candle and aromatherapy company specializing in Filipino inspired scents and memories. I recently had the opportunity to talk with Ivy, co-owner, about the company and how she got her start! We are collaborating on my own scented candle in time for the holidays.
In the meantime, you can check out her wares here. These candles are around my home and the atmosphere is immediately calming and warm. My favorite is the Narra scent. Enjoy a discount with a minimum purchase of $50 using the discount code NICOLE. You can feel good buying stocking stuffers that support the environment as well as independent and women-owned businesses!
Chatting with Ivy from Ives and Bees, Filipino-owned sustainable candles, aromatherapy, soaps and accessories! She’s such a cutey! Thanks, Ivy!
Check out our chat here!
RECIPE SPOTLIGHT
Pancit Pusit
Photography: The Maya Kitchen
Ingredients
3 pieces pusit or squid
2 tablespoons garlic minced
1 medium onion sliced
2 pieces chili finger, remove the seeds and thinly slice
2 pieces laurel leaves
½ cup vinegar
¼ cup soy sauce
1 teaspoon fish sauce
1 cup water pepper to taste
400 grams sotanghon (bean thread noodles), slightly soaked in cold water
salt and pepper for seasoning
small bunch kinchay, thinly sliced
chicharon, crushed
8 pieces kamias (bilimbi fruit), sliced
Instructions
Prepare the squid by cleaning and removing the long plastic and the small sack of liquid ink inside. Set aside the squid ink for later use. Slice the squid into rounds including the tentacles. Include the tentacles, Wash thoroughly and drain. Set aside.
Sauté the garlic, onion, chili finger and the laurel leaves. The fire should be set on high. Immediately add the squid and continue to sauté for two minutes.
Put the vinegar, soy sauce, fish sauce and the squid ink. Let it boil. Add 1 cup of water. Let it boil for two minutes.
On medium fire, add the sotanghon or the bean thread noodles. Mix thoroughly until the noodles absorb the soup or the stock. Add salt and pepper to taste. Then add the sliced kinchay.
Garnish it with crushed chicharon. Toasted garlic can also be added as garnish to add more flavor but is optional.
Serve hot.
Recipe above from The Maya Kitchen