Business & Tech

Morristown Business Owner Honored for Invention

Julie Pilas', of Elephant Nose, received "Media Choice Award" for "Catch-It" animal waste collector.

No one likes to pick up animal, uh, presents.

That was the thinking of Julie Pilas, owner of on South Street. In 2010, she invented the "Catch-It," a hands-free way to make sure Fido's leavings aren't left where they were left. in our series last year.

Since then, Pilas has brought the product out of beta testing and into the world, to be judged by the public and her peers.

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It seems they have judged the "Catch-It" well, as Pilas' invention received "The Media Choice Award" at the Own-it Ventures Conference & Expo, held Oct. 29 at the . The mission of Own-it Ventures, based in New Jersey, is to break barriers for women entrepreneurs, according to its website.  

"We inventors were given the opportunity to pitch our product to several panels–retailers, investors and the media," Pilas said. Judges in the Media Room included News 12 NJ, NJ Monthly Magazine, NJ.com Women In Business Bloggers and the Courier News.  

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After pitching products, five inventors were asked to pitch their products again, Pilas. She, and the "Catch-It," were one of the the lucky five. "Some were asked to only go back into one room, I was asked to go back into two (Investors & Telebrands)," she said. "Soon after the pitching was over for the second time the winners were announced and I had been awarded 'The Media Choice Award' for best product.

"While the day had me on pins and needles with lots of questions, lots of pitching and lots of drama I was both excited and proud of the outcome," Pilas said. "Being able to show the 'Catch-It' to such influential people, with a one-on-one forum, is a great opportunity."  

For more information on Julie Pilas' "Catch-It" waste collector, visit thecatchitwastecollector.com.

For more information on Own-it Ventures, visit ownitventures.net.


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