Pitch Perfect: UCHS Junior Gets Down to Business at Regional Competition
Areanna Whittington knows how to talk business.
The University City High School junior placed third this weekend in a competitive field of young entrepreneurs when she successfully pitched her jewelry business, Arey’s Creations, to a team of judges.
It was part of a pitch competition hosted by the Parkway Spark program and Masterclock of St. Charles County. Areanna was one of 26 teams to compete. UCHS entrepreneur teacher David German said Areanna hit the right note when she pitched her growing business with the motto “Be creative, be unique, be one of a kind.”
She’s already sold more than $2,400 in handmade jewelry since she started her company in January. German said she's always marketing her business. Indeed, she made four sales during the pitch competition.
“With Areanna, she lets herself be a little playful. She allows her personality to come into her pitch, and she’s very professional in her presentation,” German said.
I really get in the zone when I speak, " Areanna said. "I didn't really know how I was doing until the end when people said they were really engaged in my presentation."
Areanna is part of German’s Entrepreneur 2 class, which is part of a new Catalyst program, a collaborative program that enables students from University City, Brentwood, Clayton and Ladue to work together at the Medici MediaSpace, a maker’s space for innovative business ideas. She was selected to compete at the Parkway Spark event after first winning a smaller pitch competition through Catalyst.
Her pitch is really common sense. She tells people, “you can go to Claire’s and wear what everyone else is wearing, or you can express your personality through one of a kind jewelry,” German said.
UCHS students don’t have to travel far to purchase Areanna’s jewelry. She works after school in the Uniquely U store in the high school where her items are now for sale. Her items can also be purchased at www.areyscreations.com.