(Left to right) Small Business Boot Camp Series 3 award recipients Rachel Aulet-McGann, Ashanti T-Mack, Rachel Kehinde, Sawida Worley and Richard Rosario.
Photo courtesy of Ponce Bank
Ponce Bank closed out 2024 by honoring the latest graduates of its Series 2 and Series 3 Small Business Boot Camps, a free program designed to empower local entrepreneurs with the skills and resources needed to achieve their business goals.
These boot camps featured a series of programs providing essential business planning, strategies and tools for growth to local small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.
Seven local business owners were recognized for their outstanding business ideas, which they pitched to a panel of judges. Each received awards and funding to help grow their ventures, courtesy of Fiserv, a global provider of payments and financial technology. Fiserv also supported the program by providing subject matter experts, including its own leaders and community partners, to guide participants through the boot camps.
Among the graduates were two standout entrepreneurs, Tosca Marleen and Haizel McIntyre, who completed the Series 2 Small Business Boot Camp. Marleen, the founder of JDM and Partners, a company specializing in branded partnerships and creative facilitation, received $5,000 to further her business endeavors. McIntyre, the owner of Making Money Movers, NYC, a financial education service for individuals and organizations, was awarded $10,000.
The five graduates of the Series 3 boot camp were Rachel Aulet-McGann, Ashanti T-Mack, Rachel Kehinde, Sawida Worley and Richard Rosario. McGann was awarded $2,500 for her business, Moments Always Remembered, LLC, which crafts timeless keepsakes meant to honor and preserve memories of loved ones. Another $2,500 was awarded to T-Mack for her business, Keep it Tight LLC, a support and recovery center for post-operative care. Kehinde received $10,000 for her small business, Gina Andremise LLC, a jewelry company offering luxurious, sustainable and functional jewelry for women and jewel admirers alike. Worley got $5,000 for her business, Oia Wellness, which sells elite skincare and body products. Rosario, who runs Richard Rosario Photography in Throggs Neck, was provided with $2,500.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities,” Ponce Bank President and CEO Carlos Naudon said. “These deserving award winners are true entrepreneurs, providing jobs, cultural diversity and inspiration to Ponce Bank customers, and to all who live and do business in the communities in which we serve. At Ponce Bank, we’re proud to support these emerging community-based business leaders in their journeys through this powerful, essential educational initiative. We salute them today, and will continue to stand by them going forward.”
Since it was first launched in 2020, Ponce Bank’s Small Business Boot Camp has been completed by over 1,100 people from across New York City.
The Business Outreach Center Network, a Brooklyn-based company dedicated to providing financing to small business owners from underserved groups, helped ensure the success of the boot camp through its support. The mission of the organization is to improve the economic prospects for low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs and their respective communities.
“We are incredibly proud to have partnered with Ponce Bank and Fiserv to support and celebrate the success of the Ponce Small Business Bootcamp series 2 and 3 for all boroughs,” Nancy Carin of the Business Outreach Center Network said at the graduation ceremony.
“Graduating these talented cohorts of entrepreneurs marks a significant milestone in our mission to foster economic inclusion and uplift underserved communities. We are especially thrilled to recognize the inspiring businesses that pitched their businesses and won awards as part of the series. Their achievements highlight incredible innovation and success within our community. Together, we are dedicated to continuing our efforts to create opportunities and drive growth for local businesses.”
Those who graduated took part in a four-session program held last October. These sessions provided them with foundational information on the topics of Marketing and Branding, SEO Optimization, Cybersecurity and MWBE Certification, respectively.
“Community Development Financial Institutions like Ponce Bank play a critical role in closing the wealth gap by providing access to financial services in low-income communities, as well as access to capital for diverse small businesses and entrepreneurs,” said Neil Wilcox, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Fiserv. “Our collaboration with the bank fulfills our mutual commitment to enable small business growth and help entrepreneurs create positive impact in our communities.”
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