Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, turkey, and… unsolicited advice from family members. As you pass the stuffing, the inevitable happens: your drunk uncle asks, “So, what exactly is this startup thing you’re doing?” Suddenly, you’re faced with the challenge of explaining your big idea to someone who thinks TikTok is just the sound a clock makes.
Whether you’re eager to share your entrepreneurial vision or simply trying to survive the dinner table discussion, there’s a right way—and a very wrong way—to navigate this conversation. In this blog, we’ll explore the do’s and dont’s of pitching your startup during Thanksgiving, ensuring that your business dreams don’t get roasted alongside the sweet potatoes. So, grab a glass of wine (but maybe not as much as Uncle Joe’s had), and let’s dive in!
Do’s:
Keep it light and simple.
Start with a casual approach. “Hey, Uncle Joe, I’ve got this cool idea…”
Keeping it conversational while approaching the subject is key to grabbing his attention. Your uncle doesn’t need a deep dive into your business plan or a lecture on market disruption. Use simple, relatable language to describe your idea. Instead of saying, “We’re leveraging AI to disrupt the logistics industry,” try, “We’re building a smarter way to get packages delivered.” Clear and concise explanations will resonate more than buzzwords. Remember to be prepared! StartupNV’s Executive Director, exited founder, and seasoned investor, Jeff Saling advises: “Perfect your elevator pitch. Attention spans will be especially short and split…. and have the deal docs and wiring instructions ready to send from your phone.”
Appeal to his interests.
Find something he can relate to.
Find a way to tie your startup to something your uncle cares about or knows. If he’s into sports, explain how your idea could help fans. If he’s a foodie, mention its potential impact on restaurants. Making it relatable will keep his attention and make your pitch more memorable.
Flatter him (a little).
Drop lines like, “You’ve always been good at spotting great ideas!”
Nobody likes a know-it-all, especially your drunk Uncle Joe. So, right when he seems to be dozing off from the conversation, ask him what he thinks of your ideas and leave space for him to share his. Bouncing ideas off of one another can make the exchange feel more natural and not one-sided. Make sure to listen to his ideas and “take” them seriously.
Let him know others are excited.
Tell him why everyone is going for seconds.
From seasoned investor, Joshua Curtis, here is some advice on showing excitement and spiking curiosity if your uncle is actually a savvy investor.
“As investors, we know that you love your stuffing, if you didn’t you wouldn’t be crazy enough to be a founder, but we want to see that everyone loves your stuffing too. Show us the demand! If you’re pre-revenue show us that you’ve done in-depth market research and have feedback from potential customers that they would purchase your product at your price. If you have revenue, show us metrics that indicate positive growth and adoption. Telling us your stuffing is the best is one thing, showing us through consumer interest and adoption is the best way to get us to grab our forks and get in line.”
Stay patient and flexible.
If he derails the conversation, gently steer it back or know when to pause.
With so much good food and good company, the conversation can certainly change every now and then. It’s important to know when to steer the conversation back to the topic and when to let the conversation flow on to the next, this can also be a chance to indulge in a second slice of pumpkin pie.
Don’ts:
Don’t get overly formal.
It’s Thanksgiving, not Shark Tank. Relax and match the vibe.
Pitching can be daunting whether it’s a room full of investors or during a networking event, but remember that this is a relative! There’s no need for a blazer, a slideshow, or corporate jargon about market penetration or scalability. Instead of diving into a stiff elevator pitch as though you’re talking to venture capitalists, take a moment to read the room. Your audience is family, not investors, and the Thanksgiving table is meant for laughter and connection—not a business boardroom.
Don’t turn it into a one-sided monologue
There’s nothing worse than feeling like you’re stuck in a never-ending lecture, especially at the dinner table.
If you dominate the conversation with a long-winded explanation of your startup’s mission, vision, and market potential, your uncle—and everyone else within earshot—might start tuning out. Thanksgiving is about sharing, not showboating. Instead, keep your responses brief and conversational, and let your uncle ask questions. The discussion will feel more interactive and less like a TED Talk no one asked for.
Don’t argue or get defensive.
If he says, “That’ll never work,” thank him for his thoughts and move on.
Chances are, your uncle might be unfamiliar with how your industry works but as your relative who wants to look out for you, he might be prone to pointing out the risks of your ideas instead of highlighting the positives. Make sure to avoid being defensive and instead, remind him that with great risk comes great reward.
Be careful not to over-stuff the offer just because he’s family. .
Know what your Ask is and be prepared with the deal terms you’re willing to offer ahead of time. You can find other ways to emphasize why this opportunity is special (early access to a high-potential investment).
Let’s hear from investor and StartUpNV’s Vice President, Madeline Feldman.
“Don’t promise equity in the family heirlooms as part of the deal, or over-promise equity just because you’re family. Blood may be thicker than water, but it’s not thicker than gravy. Remember to keep plenty of gravy for yourself and future investors. You can always share your riches with your family once you have them … (in cash!).”
DON’T Forget the Real Reason for Thanksgiving
At the end of the day, Thanksgiving is about gratitude and togetherness, not pitching your startup.
Be thankful that you have someone to pitch to, the opportunity to innovate, and a table full of great food to eat. If the conversation starts to derail or feel tense, pivot back to the holiday spirit. Approaching these moments with humor, patience, and perspective can turn even the most chaotic Thanksgiving pitch into a story worth sharing next year. You can hope, but don’t expect Uncle Joe to become your next investor.
Conclusion
Uncles are often wild cards; a single wrong move could turn your pitch into a heated debate about cryptocurrency at the kid’s table. As tempting as it may be to pitch your next big idea to your drunk uncle at Thanksgiving, it’s important to strike the right balance between enthusiasm and respect for the holiday setting. Remember, building support for your idea is a marathon, not a sprint, and the holidays are best enjoyed with laughter, good food, and meaningful connections.
Save the full pitch for a more appropriate time. Perhaps… during StartUpNV’s favorite day of the week, Pitch Day! Pitch Day happens every other Wednesday at the International Innovation Center in Downtown Las Vegas, and virtually from anywhere in Nevada,at 2pm. Catch the next one on December 4th, @ 2pm. You can also apply to pitch here.
