The strange rituals of entrepreneurs before big pitches

The unexpected business rituals that calm entrepreneurs’ nerves before a pitch

The comfort of these business rituals and personal traditions creates a sense of familiarity and control when facing investors who hold the keys to their company’s future. After talking with dozens of founders about their pre-pitch habits, we’ve uncovered some truly unusual practices that successful entrepreneurs swear by.

The 10-minute walking ritual before important meetings

Over the years, I’ve established a ritual to help me focus and remain calm before big pitches or client meetings, and it’s become an important part of my routine. Before any important pitch, I go for a 10-minute walk with no technology or distractions. I’m usually outside, away from everything. This simple act allows me to clear my mind, get my blood flowing, and reset my thoughts. It’s a mental reset, like pressing the “reboot” button for my brain. I’ve discovered that physical movement combined with quiet time boosts my confidence and clarity. This works for me because it is more than just an escape; it is also about gaining perspective. My focus is not on the pitch itself, but on my ability to communicate effectively. 

I’ve walked through the streets before pitching important deals and even speaking with the media. It gives me a feeling of control. My nerves calm down, and by the time I walk into the meeting, I’m focused, grounded, and prepared to deliver. This practice may seem insignificant, yet it is one of the main reasons I can remain calm under pressure. The physical and mental reset is effective every time, especially during the inevitable business ups and downs that every entrepreneur faces.

David Haskins, CEO of WrongfulDeathLawyer

The humble power of pre-pitch instant noodles

Just me, my chopsticks, and that weirdly soothing smell. It’s not about the food, it’s the mood. I slow down, stop trying to impress anyone and reset before I step into pitch mode. This ritual, simple as it might seem, centers me. It’s a physical and mental signal that it’s time to focus. Slowing down to enjoy something as mundane as noodles pulls me away from the hustle of preparation and into a state of calm readiness.

Burak Ozdemir, Founder of Morse Code Translator

The power of 30-minute digital disconnection before pitches

Before any high-stakes pitch or investor call, I follow a simple but essential ritual: I disconnect from all screens for 30 minutes. No emails, no notifications, just a notebook and pen. During this quiet time, I write down why Poper matters, what pain we solve, who we serve, and what drives us to build it every day.

This habit helps cut through the noise and reminds me of the mission, not just the metrics. I also play “Time” by Hans Zimmer on a loop, it puts me in a focused, almost cinematic headspace where everything else fades away. I’ve learned that clarity beats over-preparation. When you’re deeply aligned with your purpose, the pitch flows naturally. This approach has helped me overcome many of the myths of entrepreneurship that suggest success only comes from constant connectivity and hustle.

Karan Bhakuni, CEO of Poper.ai

Creating powerful pre-pitch momentum through visual memory

Having scaled multiple businesses past seven figures, I have been on both ends, giving and receiving a funding pitch. Back in the day, I was always nervous and emotionally attached to my startup, my company, and my pitches. I’m sure every founder can relate to this, but being very emotionally attached would derail my pitch and I might go into negative momentum during cross-questions with investors. To calm my nerves and be grateful for the business I’ve built, I go through our personal albums or content collection back when we started the company. I’ve made this habit of documenting our entire journey and turning back some pages fuels my confidence and humbles me for how far I’ve come.

This pre-pitch ritual also emotionally detaches me from the end result. Since I’m reminding myself of the struggle and the things successful people sacrifice to build something meaningful, I walk into the room focused on the mission, not the outcome.

Mike Falahee, President of Marygrove.com

Workspace tidying

One of the things I do is to take a moment before every pitch to tidy up my workspace. I make sure everything is in order, even if it’s just a few minutes spent clearing my desk or organizing papers. There’s something about this physical act of creating order that mentally prepares me to present clearly and without distractions. It’s like a reset, ensuring I don’t carry any unnecessary clutter into the pitch.

I also have a very specific pre-pitch drink ritual. It’s not coffee or water. I brew myself a strong cup of mint tea. The act of drinking it forces me to slow down for a moment and gives me a mental break, allowing me to focus on the upcoming conversation instead of getting lost in the details. It’s calming and sharpens my focus. These rituals keep my mind clear and help me feel more composed when I walk into a room to present.

Sean Clancy, Managing Director of SEO Gold Coast

Building performance calm through brief but meaningful team exchanges

Before a big pitch, I always make sure to connect with my team in a small but meaningful way. It’s a little ritual we’ve developed over the years. We’ll gather for a quick moment, sometimes it’s a fist bump, other times it’s just a brief chat to remind everyone we’ve got each other’s back. If it’s a really big pitch, I’ll even send a quick text to my partner. It’s nothing extravagant, but it’s a way to ground myself and boost my confidence. 

Those little gestures serve as reminders that we’re a team and that we’ve already done the hard work. In these moments, I also think about how our team’s different hobbies and entrepreneurship journey have shaped our culture. That connection brings energy into the room.

Erwin Gutenkunst, President and Founder of Neolithic Materials

Creating the perfect pitch atmosphere through sensory anchors

Before any high-stakes pitch, I swear by my “Mochi Mindset Method.” Thirty minutes before the call, I whip up a Matcha-Mango Smoothie (matcha for focus, mango for optimism) and take my golden doodle, Mochi, on a 10-minute “walk-and-talk.”  I narrate my pitch aloud to her as we stroll, her head tilts and tail wags are my first focus group. If she yawns, I simplify the jargon; if she barks, I know I’ve struck a nerve. Back at my desk, I cue up “Doodle Zen” on Spotify (a playlist mixing lo-fi beats with faint dog park ambiance) and place Mochi’s favorite toy, Mr. Squeaks, on my desk as a “confidence totem.”

Post-pitch, win or lose, I reward myself (and Mochi) with a “Doodle Debrief”, a peanut butter Kong for her, dark chocolate for me. It’s not superstition; it’s science. The ritual triggers dopamine loops that dissociate pitches from panic. As my grandfather taught me: “Luck favors those who prep like a pro and play like a pup.” 

John Talasi, CEO and Founder of Financer.com

The power of lucky socks

When I’m getting ready for those all-important pitches, I rely on two trusty sidekicks: my lucky socks and some good ol’ rock ‘n’ roll. My socks, which are as red as a tomato and have more patches than a pirate ship, have been my companions for nearly ten years. They’ve witnessed a parade of pitches and always seem to sprinkle a bit of luck. Sure, they don’t match anything, but who cares about fashion when luck’s on the line?

And then there’s AC/DC. I crank up “Highway to Hell” to get the blood pumping. It might not be the most soothing choice, but it sure gets me revved up and ready to tackle anything. These quirky habits might sound a bit offbeat, but they’ve become my secret weapons for turning jitters into excitement and strolling into that room like I own the place.

Ihor Shulezhko, founder of Rankup and the IhorShoo project

The dark roast ritual

One thing I do to prepare myself for high-stakes pitches is brew a very specific coffee. I’ve settled on a strong, dark roast, something with a bit of intensity to match the occasion. It’s become a ritual for me to make this coffee first thing in the morning before a big pitch. There’s something calming about the process, grinding the beans, letting the aroma fill the room, and watching the coffee drip into the cup. It’s my moment of focus. While the coffee is brewing, I take a few minutes to breathe deeply, clear my mind, and remind myself of the points I want to cover during the meeting.

I remember one pitch a few months back where we were negotiating a large-scale lighting contract with a major builder. It was a crucial deal for Festoon House, and the pressure was definitely on. I woke up a couple of hours early, prepared my coffee, and spent those first few minutes alone with my thoughts. I reviewed my notes, imagined the flow of the conversation, and mentally ran through potential questions the client might ask.

That small ritual helped me enter the pitch feeling calm and ready. When I walked into the room, I wasn’t as nervous as I might have been if I hadn’t taken those few quiet minutes. I was focused, clear-headed, and able to present our proposal confidently.  For me, the coffee goes beyond a caffeine boost, it’s a mental reset that clears my mind and helps me make the most of the moment.

Matt Little, Founder and Managing Director at Festoon House

Wearing your history

I have this one navy blue blazer that I always wear when I’m meeting big clients or walking into something that could shift the direction of the business. It’s nothing flashy. It’s simple, clean, and comfortable. I’ve worn it during some of the most important milestones in my life, the first time I pitched Topnatch to a major multinational, the day we signed our first cross-border logistics deal, even the day we officially moved into our first real office.

It’s hard to explain, but wearing that blazer feels like bringing all those past wins into the room with me. It reminds me where I started, how far we’ve come, and that I’ve already faced tougher days than whatever’s in front of me. It’s not really about superstition, it’s more of a mental thing. It helps me walk in grounded and settled, instead of second-guessing myself or overthinking how I’m coming across. In this business, especially when you’re dealing with customs issues, freight commitments, and big clients who expect you to have all the answers, being calm and collected counts for a lot. That blazer just puts me in that headspace faster. I don’t wear it for anything else, it stays in the back of my closet unless it’s one of those days that matter.

Emil Calangi CEO of Topnatch Freight International Inc. 

The confidence mindset

When I have a high-stakes pitch coming up and I get nervous, I give myself a pep talk. I remind myself that I don’t need to get the clients to like our business. They already do and that is why they are giving me time and a chance to present my pitch. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be taking a chance on us. I remind myself that they looked at our products and liked what they saw.

The pitch is a chance to help them understand how we can solve a need for them. They are hoping we are an answer to their problem and that we are a perfect fit for them. Therefore, they are not looking for reasons to reject my pitch. In fact, they are looking for a reason to work with us and the pitch is just a formality, a mutual thing that I don’t need to be nervous or scared about. It grounds me and keeps me calm enough to handle the pitch.

Lev Tretyakov, CEO and Head of Sales, Fortador

Sound frequencies as pitch preparation tools

As the founder of AI Humanize, I have a few quirky rituals that help me prepare for high-stakes pitches. One of my go-to habits is listening to a specific calming playlist that’s curated with tracks in the 432 Hz frequency, which I believe helps enhance focus and reduce stress.

Before any pitch, I like to start my day with a traditional Chinese breakfast of congee. It’s not just about nourishment; the simplicity and warm comfort keep me grounded and centered.

Additionally, I practice a mantra I’ve developed over the years: “I create connections, not transactions.” This mindset shift reminds me to focus on relationships and shared visions rather than just the business aspects.

Ethan Moss, Founder of AI Humanize

Conclusion

So, next time you see a founder clutching a strange trinket, wearing mismatched socks, or muttering what sounds like a personal mantra before their big moment, don’t judge. These quirky pre-pitch rituals might seem irrational, but they’re part of the beautiful, messy human side of entrepreneurship that spreadsheets and business plans don’t capture. In a world where founders are expected to be confident, prepared, and always “crushing it,” these private rituals reveal the vulnerability that connects us all. Honestly, if wearing the same unwashed “lucky” shirt for four successful funding rounds works for you, who are we to argue with results?