IMPACT Pitch started with the idea of celebrating small businesses making an impact on their communities. We wanted a pitch competition that a mechanic, a junk hauler, a shoe repair/cleaning, or a coffee shop could win. We wanted to show people that running a small business is a force for good and a powerful way to make change.
I remember the first IMPACT Pitch very clearly. It was being held in Tacoma, WA, and my car battery died just as I was leaving for the event. Everyone was already there because we had also determined that a Pitch competition was not enough; we also needed to host a day-long small business conference for Veterans. So, in my suit and tie, I took the commuter train to Tacoma. It took about an hour and a half to get there, and my stress and anxiety most likely powered the train that day.
Like all first-time events, it had a homegrown feel. If you looked closely, you could see the strain of an organization punching above its weight. And yet we pulled it off. There was passion and energy in the room and an incredible feeling of accomplishment. Over the years, IMPACT Pitch has grown into a much more glossy and professional affair. We even have a host now!
During the pandemic we pivoted to livestreaming. At first, it was a necessity based on the times. However, this allowed the event to spread across the region. Now we have watch parties in other states, and the reach of the contestants is much broader. And through all of this growth, Harborstone Credit Union has been there for us as our title sponsor. Without their support, IMPACT Pitch would not exist, and this is as much their event as it is ours.
The venues have changed, and the crowds have increased, but from the very first IMPACT Pitch, the magic in the room has remained. Our mission, to celebrate how small businesses are changing their communities for the better, will never change.
While we kick off the next 10 years and more, it is sometimes fun to look back on some of those early challenges, though I could have done without the dead battery. This year, we are celebrating a decade of stories and successes, and we invite you to be a part of it.
Please join us in person or online on October 9th for IMPACT Pitch 2025.
About the author
Joe Sky-Tucker
(jO sky-tuck-ER)
Joe Sky-Tucker has over thirty years of experience working in the nonprofit world in a variety of positions and organizations, including direct experience working with “at-risk” youth and families in crisis, fund development, and strategic planning. He has also worked with “at-risk” youth in mental health settings, including foster care youth, children in locked psychiatric settings, and group homes. Further, he has worked to ensure hardworking families have access to safe, fair, and affordable financial services.
Currently, Joe is the President and CEO of Business Impact NW, an asset-building/community lender that specializes in supporting small and micro-businesses, helping them achieve financial stability through technical assistance and lending services. Joe has a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Washington.
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