02/27/2026
Watch until the end.
Jackie and Anastasia just competed at Business Battlefield 2026.
70 contestants. 8 finalists. Judges from Microsoft, Barclays Business School, London School of Business.
Jackie pitched BiteBack Herbal Salve a natural solution to stop dogs from chewing furniture. She took 2nd place.
Anastasia pitched South OC Socials, her newspaper promoting youth journalism in local communities. Finalist.
Both earned mentorship and internship opportunities in their fields of interest.
They were nervous walking in. They owned the room walking out.
But here’s what makes this moment so much bigger than an award:
These two young women have been doing this together since they were 7 and 8 years old.
Same partnership. Same determination. Different stage.
From that first wobbly pitch at the OC Business Fair to holding their own in front of world-class business leaders. This is what 8 years of growth looks like.
And Anya (last year’s winner, our honorary member). She is proof that once you’re part of this journey, you’re family.
This is Project Be You.
We don’t just teach kids to pitch. We walk with them, year after year, as they grow from nervous beginners to confident entrepreneurs who validate their ideas on bigger and bigger stages.
Jackie and Anastasia didn’t just compete. They showed up as the young women they’ve become.
And this is just the beginning.
(Swipe to the end to see where it all started.)
