Ten Brooklyn entrepreneurs were honored for their success in the Brooklyn Public Library’s (BPL) Fourth Annual PowerUP! Business Plan Competition at an award ceremony Jan. 23 at the Central Library.
PowerUP! is a program that celebrates and rewards the entrepreneurial spirit of Brooklynites as it enhances the vitality of the local Brooklyn business community and economy.
This year’s finalists have some of the most unique business proposals the program has seen to date and, of the 286 participating applicants, 69 percent were women and 26 percent were born outside of the U.S.A.
Following are the winners with descriptions of their businesses, as presented by Dionne Mack-Harvin, BPL executive director.
The first place award for $15,000 in cash and $5,000 in in-kind services went to Jessica Stockton-Bagnulo and Book Nerd LLC, an independent book store that will find its niche in a competitive market by providing a uniquely Brooklyn bookstore experience — comfortable, community-based, offering excellent customer service and top notch events with local authors. The very convincing business plan was well-researched, well-written and demonstrated a wealth of experience and enthusiasm. With seven years experience in a variety of independent book stores in the city, the owner has built a network of contacts with trade associations, book distributors, small publishing houses and authors that will serve her well. She has even developed a following through her lively blog. Owning a bookstore has always been her dream and, given her experience, determination and passion, it will become a reality.
There were two second place winners who will each receive $5,000 and $5,000 in in-kind services.
• Victoria Watson and Matari Lukango of Healing Spa Essentials. Their plan not only describes an enticing product, it demonstrates a thorough understanding of the operations, target market, marketing techniques and the competition. Though starting small as a home-based business, the owners are clearly making plans to increase production and sales, identifying an incubator kitchen where they can produce their handmade goods, and working with the Neighborhood Law Project to trademark their products.
• Nicole Gates of SSQ, or Soul Sister Quisine. Food that feeds the soul as well as pleases the palate will be available through this take-out and delivery service establishment. Since first catering for friends in 2002, Gates has been taking food-handling courses, acquiring equipment, building her reputation and looking for the right location, as well as participating in last year’s PowerUP competition. She now has a partner, a location in Prospect Heights and is ready to roll. The menu will revolve around classic Southern soul food that is wholesome and delicious and will also offer low-calorie items and signature desserts.
There were three Merit Award recipients who will each receive $750 in cash.
• Kevin Byrdsong of BK Telecom. By identifying the telecommunication repair headaches of small to medium companies in the metropolitan area, BK Telecom aims to provide a remedy to this epidemic by offering a quick response time and courteous customer service. Relying on years of experience and an excellent set of skills, he has begun to build his company slowly. Last year he won PowerUP's honorable mention and this year he came back with a plan to obtain certification as a minority- or women-owned business and cash-in on the surge of development slated for Brooklyn.
• Erin Carney and Neil Carlson and Brooklyn Creative League. This husband-wife team created a business plan built around their recognition that the growing number of home-based freelance professionals need a work-space that offers more room than the kitchen table and more networking opportunities than walking the dog. Their plan calls for a location in the heart of Brooklyn's burgeoning creative neighborhoods that would offer a “green” designed office space, amenities and community, for a membership fee, of course.
• Marci Bohan and Gabrielle Napol itano-Swift of Still Hip Familiar with the many incredibly adorable AND expensive labels in children's apparel, these two young mothers' recognized how stretched most young family budgets are and have created a terrific solution. This cool new Clinton Hill shop welcomes families and their children to hang out, take classes and get to know each other, while they shop for gently used, but high-end resale items. Using inventory from eBay, yardsales and other parents, they will satisfy the growing need for kids and maternity items at affordable price. Reduce, reuse and recycle is their credo and fits right into the ecological trend to conserve rather than consume.
There were four Honorable Mention awards presented. Each winner will receive $500 in prize money.
• Ilana Kavadlo of Hand Maiden NYC. Capitalizing on the craft revolution, Hand Maiden NYC will satisfy the needs of a new crafty generation by offering a wide variety of products and services in a storefront location. The business will be a place where crafters can come together to attend classes, exchange ideas or just work. In addition to revenues from the sale of a full range of supplies, income will be generated by memberships fees and classes.
• Jennifer Stevens of Jennifer C. Stevens Consulting. There are more than 1.3 million people currently selling products on eBay to more than 200 million registered users. This firm will make it possible for others to join the ranks, or, if they are already registered, to improve sales.
• Rory Feldman and The Museum of Magic. The Museum of Magic is a not-for-profit educational organization. By preserving and displaying magic artifacts as well as offering educational and entertaining programs, it will be a celebration of the conjuring arts. Though there are a multitude of museums in NYC that attract millions of residents as well as tourists every year, there are none focusing on the fascinating world of magic. Opening and operating a museum in NYC is a big undertaking, but this business plan is the beginning of an idea that, with time and refinement, will be a big success.
• Kathleen Rhew of Semiology — apparel intersecting style and sustainability. Semiology has identified a new trend in apparel. It will offer a line of high-end T-shirts made of 100 percent organic cotton that target the growing market for earth-friendly goods. The ambitious business plan offered a detailed marketing strategy that would appeal to a woman’s conscience as well as sense of style.
© Brooklyn Daily Eagle 2008
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