That’s why the BankUnited Small Business, Big Dreams: Women in Business Challenge is essential. Contestants can win up to $15,000, which means big things for small businesses. This series is a snapshot of where some former winners are now, including updates on how the prize helped fuel — and fund — business goals.

The business: The Magus Films

Contestant: Xenia Marcinko, Executive Producer

Contest: Year 2 - 3rd place

Xenia: At the time we entered, I was taking a few different college courses, and I was becoming aware of a lot of the resources for small business owners here in Miami. It was through one of those courses that someone shared with me the opportunity to apply for the Small Business, Big Dreams challenge. 

We’re an audiovisual production company that opened in Miami in 2017, but we are originally from Venezuela. When we came here, we opened our business from scratch. Even though we had a few years of experience, we needed funding to fuel our marketing. That included developing our website, advertising, and getting leads. We also needed help with the daily operations. Those were some of the things we were seeking when we applied. After we won third place, we applied that funding towards some of those things. 

We’re a production company, so we work with stories. We create a narrative that emotionally connects brands with people. We used those skills to create our application video sharing our story, where we come from, what we do and what we’re seeking. After we were pre-selected, we had to pitch for three minutes. After we passed to the next phase, we had to pitch again for five minutes. Sometimes, when business owners pitch, they are so focused on elevator pitching — providing their unique value proposition — that the pitch sounds automatic. You forget to add your essence, and who you are. Numbers, funding and plans are important, but you’re seeking to connect with the judges and audience. That connection is only possible when you share something about yourself. Every time I pitched, from that first application video to the first and second competition pitch, I enjoyed telling our story. I think that was one of the things that helped us win.

We won in September of 2022, so almost two years ago. Our target audience has evolved over the past two years, moving from only serving small businesses to serving advertising agencies, mid-market and corporations as well as helping small businesses to work with mid-market corporations. We now offer branding videos, corporate videos, and commercials. While we are producing more creative works, our storytelling background is still vital to our ability to tell good stories. The money we won, along with money we won from another contest, enabled us to make those changes. We invested in new cameras, lenses, lighting, and sound. All of that helped elevate the quality of the services we offer. We hired a production coordinator who helps me with operations. We’re also working with a sales representative who is seeking leads for us, helping us further pivot to our new target market. 

First, write out your pitch. Don’t put yourself in a position where you speak without knowing what you will say. One of the things that helped me, especially because English is my second language, was to write down everything I wanted to share and to rehearse it like I was a standup comedian or a theater actor. 

Secondly, take your time when you pitch. Some people get nervous, and they rush it. Try to enjoy it. When I pitch, I’m happy to share who we are and our story. I’m happy to see everyone connecting with what I’m saying. 

Lastly, share something about yourself. You are a person creating a business, but who is that person? Why are you starting that business? When you share why you started, everything comes together because someone hearing you will connect with what you’re saying. Remember that even if you don’t win, feedback from the judges and the business connections you make are invaluable. I think, as small business owners, we forget people are willing to help in our process of growing, launching, changing, and evolving. Regardless of the step you’re in, you can find 2resources — and free resources! — to help. 

We just launched a spec commercial for a parfum brand named Boy Smells by LES. It was written and directed by Nelson Isava and it was produced in the beautiful city of New York. You can watch it here.

In honor of National Women’s Small Business Month in October, BankUnited’s Small Business Big Dreams: Women in Business contest offers women business owners the opportunity to earn up to $15,000 towards furthering their business goals. Learn more about how and when to enter here.