The Urban League of Louisiana is proud to announce that Sherilyn Hayward, Owner of Leroy’s LipSmack’n Lemonade, emerged as the winner of the National Urban League’s 2022 Small Business Matters Pitch Competition! The event took place virtually on Saturday, July 23rd at 11:45am-1:15pm CST. The event was a part of the Small Business Matters segment of the National Urban League’s 2022 Conference. The pitch competition was sponsored by Nationwide.
The competition featured 3 finalists from Urban League affiliates across the country:
- UAVistas (Urban League of Greater Cleveland)
- 8Myes (Urban League of Philadelphia)
- Leroy’s Lipsmack’n Lemonade (Urban League of Louisiana)
Judges included:
- Stefan James, AVP Marketing for Personal Lines Direct, Nationwide
- Arian Simone, Co-Founder and General Partner, The Fearless Fund
- Cy Richardson, Senior Vice President, Economics and Housing Programs, National Urban League
- Marc Parham, Director, Entrepreneurship Center, Urban League of Greater Atlanta
- Andrea & Frances Guichard, Owners, Gallery Guichard (Chicago) and Winners of the 2021 Pitch Competition
- Host: Melissa Knowles, CNN News Correspondent
Each finalist presented their plans for growth and how they would use the funds if awarded. Awards were granted at 1st Place ($10,000), 2nd Place ($5,000), and 3rd Place ($2,500). All finalists were amazing and the decision did not come easy for the judges. In the end, Sherilyn Hayward of Leroy’s LipSmack’n Lemonade emerged as the 1st Place winner, 8Myles in 2nd Place, and UAVistas in 3rd Place. Congratulations to each of the participants!
Congratulations Sherilyn!
Sherilyn Hayward took home the 1st Place prize of $10,000 during the NUL 2022 Small Business Matters Pitch Competition.
Sherilyn is the Founder and Owner of Leroy’s LipSmack’n Lemonade, a lemonade beverage manufacturing company based in Baton Rouge, LA. The company is committed to suppling a clean, refreshing, freshly squeezed- thirst quenching experience for consumers across the country. Their products have no additives, no artificial flavors or colors.
The business was started in 2014 after participation in a local lemonade Day for her 6-year-old son, Leroy III. Leroy’s LipSmack’n Lemonade was created to help kids like Leroy with disabilities to understand that their special need is not a limitation, and that they can succeed at entrepreneurship and have more options. Leroy works in the business, and the company also hires special needs young adults.
Today, Leroy’s LipSmack’n Lemonade can be found in 36 stores and restaurants in the Baton Rouge area including 4 Rouse’s Markets and all LSU sports arenas. In addition, the Leroy’s LipSmack’n Lemonade Truck can be found at local schools, businesses, and festivals year-round! Plans for expansion include offering products in other cities across Louisiana, and in Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas….just to start!
Sherilyn was nominated to apply for the 2022 NUL Small Business Matters Pitch Competition by the Urban League of Louisiana. Mrs. Hayward has been a client of the ULLA Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation since 2020. She is a graduate of the Scale Up! Louisiana Program and emerged as the winner of the 2021-22 ULLA Women-In-Business Challenge!
