The Story of KidPitch

Hi, I’m Jessie, co-founder of KidPitch alongside my daughter, Layla.

I began working with children in college, supporting families navigating grief and complex medical challenges. Those early experiences shaped my deep respect for resilience and the importance of creating safe, supportive spaces for young people.

After earning my MBA, I launched my first business and later stepped into leadership roles in youth development and nonprofit growth. I eventually opened Storybrook Play Cafe, building a welcoming community space for families.

When our son received a complex diagnosis, I sold the cafe and began serving families through the Utah Parent Center, supporting children impacted by disability. That experience deepened my commitment to inclusion, confidence-building, and real-world preparation for all kids.

When Layla entered middle school, she became interested in business.

As technology rapidly changed, I began questioning whether our education system was truly preparing kids for the future of work. As I taught her and her peers about entrepreneurship, I noticed many believed success was simply about going viral. Few understood what it actually takes to develop, pitch, and build something meaningful.

I believed we could do better.

So I studied, consulted with educators and entrepreneurs, listened to parents, and most importantly, learned from kids. From those conversations, KidPitch was born.

KidPitch blends 25 years of experience in entrepreneurship, youth development, leadership, and inclusion. Layla and her peers continue to help shape the program, keeping it fun, relevant, and real.