Three Shark Tank participants, left to right: Alexis Zuniga, Savanna Bramlett and Andres Chavez-Mendez

Three Shark Tank participants, left to right: Alexis Zuniga, Savanna Bramlett and Andres Chavez-Mendez

More than 100 participants, volunteers and investors came together for Just in Time’s annual Pathways to Professional Power Conference, where this year’s theme, Trailblazers: Forge Your Own Way, challenged young people to envision, and create their own paths forward.

Throughout the conference, participants connected with professionals and heard from panels of local entrepreneurs and business owners who shared insights from their own career journeys.

Keynote speaker Erin McBride, founder of the nonprofit Foster The Earth, brought the Trailblazers theme to life by sharing her inspiring story of entrepreneurship before one of the day’s biggest highlights: JIT’s Shark Tank Competition.

Participants and coaches after the breakout session

Panel discussion during the “The Business Behind the Business” breakout session

Three aspiring entrepreneurs took the stage to pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges for a chance to win $3,000 in seed money.
This year’s first-place prize went to Savanna Bramlett, founder of Pop Up Cinema!

Pop Up Cinema creates fully curated outdoor movie experiences for birthdays, family gatherings, date nights, sports watch parties and special celebrations. Savanna’s concept includes everything from screens, projectors and seating to themed décor, popcorn machines, snack packages and s’mores setups.

“I wouldn’t be here or doing any of this without it. And not only that, but Just in Time has helped me grow my business so much throughout this competition by making the business plan and working with a business coach. So it’s been really nice throughout the whole thing. Just the fact that they have this opportunity for young entrepreneurs.”

With $3,000 in seed money behind her idea, Savanna is now forging her own way from promising entrepreneur to business owner – putting the spirit of Trailblazers into action.

Looking for a way to give back? Fight hunger in the JIT community by donating to our pantry! We are always in need of shelf stable, easily made pantry items like beans, canned meat, pasta, cereal, peanut butter. If you’d like to drop off some items, please contact us at (619) 770-1850 or simply leave your donation at the front desk.