Pin Drop Founder Tim Elinski competes against 9 other Arizona businesses and brings home the grand prize of $10,000 as part of a Shark Tank-like business pitch event in Flagstaff, Arizona.
The Tour
As part of the 2023 Moonshot Pioneer Pitch Tour stopping in 10 rural communities across Arizona including Winslow, Verde Valley, Quad Cities, Yuma, Sierra Vista, Globe-Miami, Payson, and others, 10 businesses were selected as finalists and invited to gather and compete for cash and prizes.
How the Pitch Works
With 5 minutes to tell your story, participants create pitch decks and present their business launch or expansion plans at the Annual Shoemaker Awards Banquet which draws over 120 guests. Elinski shared the story of Pin Drop and how the company started nearly five years ago. He included information about his experience in the trades, as a general contractor and in historic restoration, the different price points and features of Pin Drop, and the plans he and his wife Ruth Ellen have for future expansion. He also included how he plans to support economic development in the Town of Miami overall.
"I design, build, sell, and rent premium solar powered and self contained micro campers from our headquarters in historic Miami, Arizona. However, 20 years ago I was just a general contractor with a serious camping addiction."
- Tim Elinski, Founder, Pin Drop Travel Trailers
Business pitch events are plentiful in major cities within Arizona, but not in rural areas. Moonshot Az proudly supports rural partners to create entrepreneurial ecosystems in their respective towns and cities. Now in its fourth year, the Moonshot Pioneer Pitch event has grown and event leaders continue to see innovative and viable businesses launching across rural Arizona. Next year, the organization plans to host 15 tour stops.
For the Elinski's, the pitch presentation was more than just about how they manufacture tear drop style camper trailers, it was also an opportunity to shed light on rural, to share more about the unique qualities and historic value of towns like Miami that have much to offer the state's overall economy.
While Tim Elinski has been a tradesman and in the trades for over 20 years, Pin Drop Travel Trailers will celebrate its 5 year anniversary this coming fall, and has plans to scale production and hire more employees. This made Tim and Pin Drop a viable candidate for the Moonshot Pioneer Pitch competition, which seeks out founders and business owners whether you have an idea on a napkin or you have an established business and you are looking to expand.
The benefits to participating in Moonshot go beyond the chance to win cash and prizes. Founders and entrepreneurs connect with other business owners and mentors that assist in advancing business skills, identifying resources, and planning strategically for launch and growth.
"I look forward to leaning on new partners and utilizing the resources available to help advance our business while still staying true to the core values of Pin Drop," said Elinski.
"We are invested in rural. We selected Miami, Arizona as the headquarters for Pin Drop. One hundred years ago, Miami, Arizona was a huge economic driver for the state of Arizona. While it has lagged behind the last couple generations, we see huge potential in the town, the Copper Corridor, and the region."
- Tim Elinski, Founder, Pin Drop Travel Trailers
About Miami, Arizona
At just one mile long, Miami Arizona has hit above its weight class for generations, producing a huge share of the nation's copper. The entire town is historic, and was developed quickly at the beginning of the 20th Century in response to vast copper mining in the region. A classic boom town with lots of history and character, this small town lies in route between Globe and Superior, a rich compliment to the Copper Corridor communities.
Pin Drop Expansion
Pin Drop Travel Trailers has recently invested in another historic property in Miami to double the production footprint. As part of this plan, Pin Drop also restored a hundred year old building for use as a short term rental property to promote tourism in the region, as well as a waypoint for Pin Drop customers coming in to prepare for their pick up and walk through. Located in historic Miami, Arizona, The Cactus Alley is a tastefully renovated home with unique history. Only one block off Sullivan Street, enjoy access to antique shopping, the Bullion Plaza Cultural Center, and authentic Mexican food. A short drive to downtown Globe, Superior, Roosevelt Lake, Besh Ba Gowah Park, and Boyce Thompson Arboretum, make Cactus Alley your gateway to hiking, mountain biking, and exploring the Copper Corridor's history and the rugged beauty of the area.