Mommy Scrubs Secures $35,000 Victory at the eosera Foundation Pitch Competition

Empowering Women in Business: The Story of Mommy Scrubs

In a remarkable showcase of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit, Cherie Turner, the CEO and founder of Mommy Scrubs, won a staggering $35,000 at the fourth annual eosera® Foundation Pitch Competition, held at the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas. This event, lauded for its mission to uplift women entrepreneurs, witnessed a tearful moment of joy from Turner as she was announced as the competition's first-place winner.

This year, the pitch competition attracted over 250 applicants from across the country, marking a significant expansion from its previous Texas-only focus. The competition aims to provide seed funding to women-led businesses established under three years. Turner not only clinched the $30,000 first-place award but also snagged the $5,000 people's choice award, an affirmation of her vision.

“I am just overjoyed and overwhelmed with gratitude,” Turner expressed. “This is just a perfect, right-on-time blessing for Mommy Scrubs.”

The unique offering of Mommy Scrubs lies in its design specifically tailored for breastfeeding mothers in the healthcare industry. Turner’s journey began as she returned to work post-maternity leave as an occupational therapist in 2018. Faced with the discomforts of pumping breast milk in a scrubs outfit that often necessitated total undressing, she visualized a solution: comfortable scrubs that allow easy access for nursing mothers.

Her innovation features scrubs that snap down in front, facilitating a more practical and less stressful pumping experience while maintaining all the necessary functions of traditional healthcare attire. This patent-pending design has already been tested on a smaller scale, and with this new funding, Turner is poised to launch a comprehensive marketing campaign that will bring Mommy Scrubs into the spotlight.

As Turner celebrated her achievement, Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker opened the event with motivational remarks, highlighting Dallas-Fort Worth's recognition as the second-fastest growing region for women-owned businesses in the United States. She emphasized that a thriving city is built on encouraging future leaders through small businesses and entrepreneurship.

Elyse Stoltz Dickerson, CEO of eosera® and a past winner of the same pitch competition, shared her passion for supporting women founders. She remarked, “Each year, the pitch competition just tops the year before in energy and excitement. I always walk away feeling inspired by the finalists and energized by the audience who came to support them.”

In this year’s competition, Annika Lundstrom, CEO of ReMinded, came in second with her innovative clinical-grade saliva test for tracking cortisol levels, receiving a $5,000 award. Melissa Wood of Formus, who developed an AI tool for home design, placed third and won $2,500. Both women echoed the sentiment of gratitude for the support provided through the eosera® Foundation, particularly in a landscape where women receive just a fraction of venture capital funding.

The evening was enriched by sponsors such as iHeartImpact and Simmons Bank, who reaffirmed their commitment to investing in women-owned enterprises. As the event concluded, many left with a renewed sense of purpose and excitement, contemplating their roles in fostering an environment where women can thrive in business.

Mommy Scrubs is on the horizon, ready to expand its reach and influence in the healthcare apparel industry. With the support from the eosera® Foundation and newfound marketing resources, Cherie Turner is set to ensure that no breastfeeding mother has to sacrifice comfort for functionality in the workplace. The victory at the pitch competition not only signifies financial support but is also a testament to the power of community and the unwavering spirit of women entrepreneurs striving to make impactful changes in their industries.