Applying for Vogt Awards: Tips from 2024 Recipient Amanda Miah, Co-Founder of Besti

Pictured left to right: Hannah Estes and Amanda Miah, Co-Founders of Besti

Amanda Miah, co-founder of Besti, applied to the 2024 Vogt Invention and Innovation Awards to learn from area entrepreneurs, gain valuable insights on improving her company, build connections, and expand her network. Now a year later, Besti, a women’s period products and care company that specially curates and ships monthly care kits, has launched a wholesale channel with tremendous response, and its products are being sold by retailers in over 25 states.

The $25,000 in non-dilutive funding they received from the Vogt Awards directly supported inventory expansion, a critical component for meeting increased demand. Amanda sat down to answer some questions and provided her insights into the application process and what early-stage businesses can do to stand out.

What resources did you find most helpful when completing the application?
The most helpful resource was actually talking to previous Vogt Award winners. Learning from their experience helped me frame our story.

What did you do to prepare for the selection process?
I practiced our pitch relentlessly and spent time thinking through every possible question the review committee might have about our business model, market size, and growth strategy. I created a comprehensive data deck with metrics on our target market, unit economics, and projected scaling milestones.

What tips would you give this year’s applicants to help them make the final cut? What should they do to present themselves in their best light and stand out?
Be absolutely clear about the problem you’re solving and why now is the right time. For Besti, we didn’t just talk about making better period products, we presented data showing the market shift toward personalized wellness solutions and how our technological approach was uniquely positioned to capture this moment. Prepare concise, confident answers about your business fundamentals.

What would you tell business owners who may be considering applying for the Vogt Awards? Why should they apply
Apply! Beyond the obvious benefit of $25,000 in non-dilutive funding, the Vogt Awards process itself forces you to refine your business. The application questions made us critically examine aspects of our business model even more thoroughly. Even if we hadn’t won, that process alone would have been valuable. And the network you gain continues to provide support and opportunities long after the program ends.

What was the most valuable thing you learned during your participation in the program?
The most valuable lesson was learning to balance vision with practicality. The mentors challenged us to get extremely tactical about near-term execution, helping us create a much stronger strategic roadmap than we had before.

After being a Vogt Awards alumna for a year, how has Vogt Awards changed your journey as a founder?
The program connected me with a peer network of founders facing similar challenges, which has been an incredible source of support and practical advice.

How has it helped you grow your business? Where is Besti now compared to where you were last year at this time?
The impact has been transformative. When we entered the Vogt program, we were primarily focused on our D2C subscription service. Now, we have a wholesale channel, and our products are being sold by retailers all over the country. The mentorship we continue to receive and the connections we continue to build have been extremely valuable in fueling our growth.

What one thing do you wish you’d known before entering the selection room?
Just how big the selection committee was! Also, I wish I’d known about beta blockers, because I tend to get nervous!

Interested in applying to the Vogt Invention and Innovation Awards? Apply by June 9, 2025, for a chance to join the 25-year legacy of the program. For applications, criteria, and more, visit www.vogtawards.com/.