May 28, 2025 (press release) – The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC) brought together some of the city’s most promising small business owners today for the highly anticipated pitch competition, WIN 2.0: Pitch Smart, Win Big. In the live, high-energy showdown, one entrepreneur rose to the top—Tiffany Brown of Wicks NOLA Candle Company, earning the opportunity to have their product sold in Dutch’s Corner, the Convention Center’s in-house convenience store frequented by nearly 800,000 visitors each year.
Four finalists—Chef Diva Foods, Wicks NOLA Candle Company, El Guapo and Glassblower Ben—pitched their shelf-ready retail products to a panel of judges representing both the Convention Center and local business leaders. Products were evaluated for market viability, branding and scalability. Ultimately, Wicks NOLA Candle Company impressed the panel with a compelling business story, strong retail potential and a product that stood out for its creativity and readiness.