Sourced from the Amsterdam News (August 12, 2024)
Ponce Bank recently celebrated the graduates of its Bronx, Manhattan, and New Jersey Small Business Bootcamps, part of a series of free programs providing essential business planning, strategies, and tools for growth to local small-business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, to help them achieve their goals.
During the event, three business owners from the Bronx and three from Manhattan and New Jersey, who previously pitched their business ideas to a panel of judges, were recognized and presented with awards they can use to grow their businesses. The awards are sponsored by Fiserv, a global provider of payments and financial technology, including the Clover point-of-sale and business management platform.
The Small Business Bootcamp Bronx award recipients are:
• Jennifer Silvestre, Nasir + Idie Kids, apparel and fashion for children with special needs, $10,000.
• Melissa Groneveldt, Yummy Tummy, gluten-free, sugar-free sweets and treats, $7,500.
• Saraciea Fennell, The Bronx is Reading, promoting literacy and fostering a love of reading, $5,000.
The Small Business Bootcamp Man/NJ award recipients are:
• Wioletta Sudol, The Helper Bears, LLC, empowering older adults with tech education and confidence, $10,000.
• Emely Martinez, Roxanna, affordable, elite fashion for all body types, $7,500.
• Chere Montgomery, WealthStorm Consults, Business Consultants, $5,000.
“Small businesses are the beating hearts of our communities, providing jobs, cultural diversity, and aspiration to so many of our customers, and we’re proud to support these emerging community leaders in their journey through this powerful educational initiative,” said Ponce Bank President and CEO Carlos Naudon.
With the support of the Business Outreach Center Network, whose mission is to improve the economic prospects of traditionally underserved groups, including low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs and their communities, Ponce Bank’s Small Business Bootcamp has seen impressive attendance: More than 1,100 people from across the city have completed the Small Business Bootcamp since its launch in 2020.
During the graduation event, the award recipients shared what these funds mean to them and how the experience affected their growth as future business leaders.
“I think a lot of things with smaller businesses, especially coming from places like the Bronx, we just don’t know what resources there are. How can we move our business forward?…The Boot Camp really allowed us to think through what next steps we can take advantage of at each stage,” said Silvestre.
“My involvement gave me a lot of education so that I could lead a successful business, but winning this competition gave me the confidence I need, because people believed in my vision and what I’m trying to do to impact society,” Sudol said.