Whatever Floats Your Boat
/Pitch It Winner and Nature Enthusiast Cheyenne Adams Launches Paddle TXK
By Lauren Simmons
Photo by lauren simmons
Cheyenne Adams couldn’t believe her ears when the judges told her she had won $7,500. She had stood before a panel of judges during the Pitch It Texarkana entrepreneurs contest on Thursday, March 30th and presented her idea for Paddle TXK, a kayak rental business at Bringle Lake.
“I did not expect to win. Everyone had brilliant ideas; there was no one I thought didn’t deserve [to win],” Cheyenne said. “All the other contestants were incredibly supportive, gave me hugs, and said they would come kayak with me.”
Cheyenne was the 1st Place winner in the 2023 Pitch It Texarkana contest. (submitted photo)
The annual contest, which began in 2022, accepts 100 applicants from the Texarkana area, all who submit business proposals that they believe deserve funding. The judges then narrows the pool down to ten contestants. These top contestants are brought before a panel of judges, composed of local entrepreneurs, to whom they give a three-minute pitch of their business idea. The winner of the competition receives $7,500 to fund their venture.
Annemarie Sullivan, the owner of Sullifarm and Kitchen, was one of the judges on the panel. She said Cheyenne’s organization and passion for the subject was what caused her to stand out above the rest.
“Cheyenne had already done quite a bit of work and research on her pitch, providing us with a brief business plan that showed sustainability, profitability, and viability,” Annemarie said. “Her pitch showcased something that would provide outdoor entertainment, be a family-friendly activity, and improve on an already existing piece of our city.”
Cheyenne wasn’t the average contestant. Her name entered the competition in an unusual way, she explained. Adams, a waitress at Verona Restaurant, said her boss, Paul Estes, was the one who signed her up for the event.
Cheyenne stands on the peak of Rattlesnake Ridge in Roland, AR. She says her love for the outdoors is present in every area of her life. (submitted photo)
“Cheyenne is very outdoorsy,” Estes said. “She is hiking or camping every weekend. We have talked several times about how cool it would be to have a more useful outdoor space close to us.”
While her entry into the contest was unusual, her motives were clear: Cheyenne’s passion for outdoor recreation is an evident theme in her life—and one that she knew could benefit Texarkana.
“I love the outdoors. And I love kayaking because it’s something I can do with my children. Everyone complains that Texarkana has nothing to do, but there is plenty to do; it just has to be utilized,” Cheyenne said. “Kayaking is family friendly, and it’s very inclusive for all ages and sizes.”
In addition to kayaking, Cheyenne loves to paddle board on Bringle Lake with friends and family. (submitted photo)
Cheyenne said that, whether she won the competition or not, she was motivated to stick with her plan and create a new culture around Bringle Lake. Her vision is to turn Bringle Lake into a family-friendly hangout spot for the entire community—and it all starts with Paddle TXK.
Cheyenne said her first step after winning the competition was to buy 15 new kayaks, paddles, and life jackets. The unexpected challenge? Paperwork.
“I have always admired her determination and ‘never give up’ attitude.”
“It’s a much more lengthy process than I imagined, but not in a bad way. The bulk of paperwork has been in insurance and safety procedures. But working with the city has been awesome. They are going to such lengths to keep people safe,” she said.
Cheyenne said her main supporter through this process has been her best friend, Brianna Lancaster. She cited Brianna as being her primary advisor, helper, and cheerleader throughout the project.
“Cheyenne lets nothing bring her down,” Brianna said. “She is a single mother of two lovely girls, and I know she wants to show them the way to real happiness and success. She has always had a soft spot for our community and the people who love to live here.”
Her mother, Patrecia Adams, agreed, stating that Cheyenne has displayed a passion for life and an independent spirit since she was a child.
“I have always admired her determination and ‘never give up’ attitude,” Patrecia said. “She always deals with challenges head-on, and rarely, if ever, gets discouraged. She just keeps going, no matter what.”
The highest priority for Paddle TXK is safety. While Cheyenne expects no problems, she has implemented different plans to make sure her customers stay safe no matter what happens.
Cheyenne holds one of the kayaks which will be used for Paddle TXK, the new kayak business by Bringle Lake Park West. (photo by lauren simmons)
“I want everyone to know that this is going to be super fun and super safe,” she said. “I’ll be happy to teach anyone anything they need to know. And if you’re nervous about going out on a kayak, then I will go out there with you, because I know trying new things can be nerve-wracking.”
Cheyenne intends to open on July 4th. Paddle TXK boasts 12 single kayaks, two tandem kayaks, and two pedal boats, which hold four people each. The fee is $25 for one hour and $10 for each additional hour, or $50 for the whole day. Kayakers are required to wear life jackets at all times as well as adhere to a dress code based on safety requirements. Anyone under 15 years old must have an adult present. Paddle TXK is already pre-booked to host cookouts, birthday parties, and homeschool field trips, and they are open for future event bookings.
Cheyenne’s future plans for Paddle TXK include getting more kayaks on the water, expanding to more locations around Texarkana, and generally creating more local outdoor activities. She especially hopes to see Bringle Lake Park become “more of a hangout spot, with picnic tables and food trucks,” she said.
Cheyenne along with her daughters Delilah, 9, and Aurora, 11, at Bringle Lake for some fun in the sun. (Photo by lauren simmons)
Becki Campbell, Cheyenne’s sister, said that she is proud of Cheyenne for her hardworking and humble spirit.
“She has a true desire to see the city of Texarkana flourish,” Becki said. “She’s honest and dedicated to doing things right, even when it’s difficult and time-consuming. I know she’s thrilled to see her vision come to life, and I can’t wait to see her continue to succeed.”
Paddle TXK can be found at Bringle Lake Park West on University Avenue by Texas A&M-Texarkana. As of July 4th, 2023, they are open for rentals from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday through Saturday, from May to September. Visit the Paddle TXK Facebook page for more information.