This story is part of a series featuring each of the fourteen startups in the CYstarters 2021 summer cohort. Each team has the opportunity to focus on their startup or business idea while receiving $6,500 or up to $13,000, along with mentorship, accountability, and educational sessions on how to build a business.

By Samantha Dilocker, ISU Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship

Founded by Iowa State University graduate student, Brynn Sweere, Pivot Entertainment Co. delivers professional entertainment to all of Central Iowa.

Get to know: Brynn Sweere

Age: 25

Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre, current Master of Science in Event Management at Iowa State University

Passionate about: Making the performing arts more accessible

Most recently I: Moved to Des Moines from NYC!

Currently working on: Pivot

When did you start working on Pivot?
I initially came up with the idea for a competition in one of my master’s classes before it was canceled during the fall semester.

Have you always seen yourself starting something?
Yes! I recently published an ebook, “Take It From A Recent Grad: How To Confidently Kick Ball Change Your Way Through The College Audition Process” on Amazon. While in New York City, I was an audition coach helping high school students get into musical theater and acting programs.

Why musical theatre and live performances?
I started performing at a young age. I got addicted to the feeling of helping audience members escape reality for a few hours. After spending many years in the professional acting scene, I recognized an opportunity in the Midwest to provide a resource to make the performing arts more accessible.

How have you grown since you started?
Pivot has given me an opportunity to combine two of my passions to fulfill a need. I have found that the tools I gathered in undergrad studying musical theatre are very applicable to becoming an entrepreneur.

What future milestones would you like to hit?
I want to continue customer discovery and define my target audience. I want to form working relationships with college students involved in the theatre and performing arts programs locally to be some of the first talent for hire on Pivot.

What is the biggest challenge you face each day?
Leaving Ivy, my eight-month-old Cavapoo puppy, each morning!

How has entrepreneurship at Iowa State impacted you?
My entrepreneurship journey at Iowa State has just begun!

What advice would you give to a smart, driven college student?
Take advantage of all the opportunities college has to offer, not just inside the classroom.

Where are you headed? And how would you invite others to join you?
I’m headed toward making the performing arts more accessible in the state of Iowa! I’m seeking eager performers to share their work and talents. I would invite others to join me by becoming a sponsor or partner of Pivot.

Follow Pivot Entertainment Co. on Instagram or visit www.pivotentertainmentco.com to watch Pivot enter the stage.