New Entrepreneurs Graduate from Ponce Bank Small Business Boot Camp
Ponce Bank celebrated the graduation of its Small Business Bootcamp in Bronx, Manhattan, and New Jersey, awarding six local businesses with funds to support their growth. The program, launched in 2020, has seen over 1,100 participants and provides free business planning, strategies, and tools for local entrepreneurs. Fiserv, a leading financial technology provider, sponsored the awards.
The top winners, receiving $10,000 each, were Jennifer Silvestre's Nasir + Idie Kids (Bronx) and Wioletta Sudol's The Helper Bears, (Manhattan/NJ). The initiative, supported by The Business Outreach Center Network, aims to improve economic prospects for traditionally underserved groups. Ponce Bank President and CEO Carlos Naudon emphasized the importance of small businesses as 'beating hearts of our communities'.
Ponce Bank ha celebrato la laurea del suo Small Business Bootcamp nel Bronx, a Manhattan e nel New Jersey, premiando sei aziende locali con fondi per sostenere la loro crescita. Il programma, lanciato nel 2020, ha visto oltre 1.100 partecipanti e offre pianificazione aziendale gratuita, strategie e strumenti per gli imprenditori locali. Fiserv, un importante fornitore di tecnologia finanziaria, ha sponsorizzato i premi.
I vincitori principali, che hanno ricevuto ciascuno $10,000, sono stati Nasir + Idie Kids di Jennifer Silvestre (Bronx) e The Helper Bears di Wioletta Sudol (Manhattan/NJ). L'iniziativa, supportata dalla Business Outreach Center Network, mira a migliorare le prospettive economiche per gruppi tradizionalmente svantaggiati. Il presidente e CEO di Ponce Bank, Carlos Naudon, ha enfatizzato l'importanza delle piccole imprese come 'i cuori pulsanti delle nostre comunità'.
Ponce Bank celebró la graduación de su Small Business Bootcamp en el Bronx, Manhattan y Nueva Jersey, premiando a seis negocios locales con fondos para apoyar su crecimiento. El programa, lanzado en 2020, ha tenido más de 1,100 participantes y ofrece planificación empresarial gratuita, estrategias y herramientas para los emprendedores locales. Fiserv, un proveedor líder de tecnología financiera, patrocinó los premios.
Los ganadores principales, que recibieron $10,000 cada uno, fueron Nasir + Idie Kids de Jennifer Silvestre (Bronx) y The Helper Bears de Wioletta Sudol (Manhattan/NJ). La iniciativa, respaldada por la Business Outreach Center Network, tiene como objetivo mejorar las perspectivas económicas para grupos tradicionalmente desatendidos. El presidente y CEO de Ponce Bank, Carlos Naudon, enfatizó la importancia de las pequeñas empresas como 'los corazones que laten en nuestras comunidades'.
폰스 은행은 브롱크스, 맨해튼, 뉴저지에서의 소기업 부트캠프 졸업을 기념하며, 여섯 개 지역 기업에 성장을 지원하기 위한 자금을 수여했습니다. 2020년에 시작된 이 프로그램은 1,100명이 넘는 참가자를 기록했으며, 지역 기업가에게 무료 사업 계획, 전략 및 도구를 제공합니다. Fiserv, 선도적인 금융 기술 제공업체가 이 상의 후원사입니다.
10,000달러를 각각 받은 주요 수상자는 제니퍼 실베스트레의 Nasir + Idie Kids(브롱크스)와 위올레타 수돌의 The Helper Bears(맨해튼/NJ)였습니다. 비즈니스 아웃리치 센터 네트워크가 지원하는 이 이니셔티브는 전통적으로 소외된 그룹에 대한 경제적 전망을 개선하는 것을 목표로 합니다. 폰스 은행의 사장 겸 CEO인 카를로스 나오돈은 '우리 지역사회의 뛰는 심장'으로서의 소기업의 중요성을 강조했습니다.
Ponce Bank a célébré la graduation de son Small Business Bootcamp dans le Bronx, à Manhattan et au New Jersey, en offrant des fonds à six entreprises locales pour soutenir leur croissance. Lancé en 2020, le programme a vu plus de 1 100 participants et propose des plans d'affaires, des stratégies et des outils gratuits pour les entrepreneurs locaux. Fiserv, un fournisseur de technologie financière de premier plan, a parrainé les prix.
Les principaux gagnants, recevant chacun 10 000 dollars, étaient Nasir + Idie Kids de Jennifer Silvestre (Bronx) et The Helper Bears de Wioletta Sudol (Manhattan/NJ). L'initiative, soutenue par le Business Outreach Center Network, vise à améliorer les perspectives économiques des groupes traditionnellement sous-servis. Le président et CEO de Ponce Bank, Carlos Naudon, a souligné l'importance des petites entreprises en tant que 'cœurs battants de nos communautés'.
Ponce Bank feierte den Abschluss seines Small Business Bootcamp im Bronx, Manhattan und New Jersey und vergab an sechs lokale Unternehmen Mittel zur Unterstützung ihres Wachstums. Das 2020 gestartete Programm verzeichnete über 1.100 Teilnehmer und bietet kostenlose Geschäftsplanung, Strategien und Werkzeuge für lokale Unternehmer. Fiserv, ein führender Anbieter von Finanztechnologie, sponserte die Preise.
Die Hauptgewinner, die jeweils 10.000 US-Dollar erhielten, waren Nasir + Idie Kids von Jennifer Silvestre (Bronx) und The Helper Bears von Wioletta Sudol (Manhattan/NJ). Die Initiative, die von dem Business Outreach Center Network unterstützt wird, zielt darauf ab, die wirtschaftlichen Perspektiven traditionell benachteiligter Gruppen zu verbessern. Der Präsident und CEO von Ponce Bank, Carlos Naudon, betonte die Bedeutung von kleinen Unternehmen als 'die schlagenden Herzen unserer Gemeinschaften'.
- Ponce Bank's Small Business Bootcamp has trained over 1,100 entrepreneurs since 2020
- Six local businesses received awards ranging from $5,000 to $10,000
- Partnership with Fiserv provides financial support and expertise to the program
- Collaboration with The Business Outreach Center Network enhances support for underserved entrepreneurs
- None.
Six local businesses receive awards from Ponce Bank and Fiserv after impressing judges
NEW YORK, July 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ponce Bank recently celebrated the graduates of its Bronx, Manhattan and New Jersey Small Business Bootcamps, part of a series of programs providing essential business planning, strategies, and tools for growth, free of charge, to local small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, helping them achieve their goals.
During the event three local 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 leading global provider of payments and financial technology, including the popular 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, will receive
$10,000. - Melissa Groneveldt, Yummy Tummy, gluten free, sugar free sweets and treats, will receive
$7,500. - Saraciea Fennell, The Bronx is Reading, promotes literacy and fosters a love of reading, will receive
$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, will receive
$10,000. - Emely Martinez, Roxanna, affordable, elite fashion for all body types, will receive
$7,500. - Chere Montgomery, WealthStorm Consults, Business Consultants, will receive
$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.
Nancy Carin, from The Business Outreach Center Network shared these remarks at the graduation ceremony: "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 in the Bronx, Manhattan and New Jersey. 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 the incredible innovation and success within our community. Together, we are dedicated to continuing our efforts to create opportunities and drive growth for local businesses in the Bronx, Manhattan and New Jersey.”
The most recent session brought together entrepreneurs for a four- session program, held during this past May and June. Participants engaged in sessions that provide foundational information for start-up businesses, including small business banking, accounting principles, business planning, and how to qualify for business loans.
During the graduation event, the award recipients shared what these funds mean to them and how the experience impacted their growth as future business leaders.
Jennifer Silvestre, Nasir + Idie Kids (Clothing Brand for Children with Disabilities) observed: “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? And so the boot camp really allowed us to think through what next steps we can take advantage of at each stage.”
Wioletta Sudol, The Helper Bears, LLC (Rebuilding Neighborhoods by Connecting Communities) commented: “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.”
“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, Fiserv. “Our collaboration with the bank fulfills our mutual commitment to enable small business growth and help entrepreneurs create positive impact in our communities.”
In addition to award funding, Fiserv also provided subject matter experts for The Small Business Bootcamp, including Fiserv leaders and community partners in the entrepreneurship space.
About Ponce Bank (Part of the Ponce Financial Group, NASDAQ:PDLB)
Founded in the Bronx in 1960 during a time when most financial institutions were fleeing the area, Ponce Bank has been on a mission to improve financial outcomes for minority and immigrant communities throughout the New York Metro area ever since. The bank has grown to 13 branches, 5 mortgage loan offices, 2.8 Billion in assets, and its parent company Ponce Financial Group is listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange (PDLB). Ponce Bank consistently ranks near the top of all CDFIs in the country for housing focus and impact lending.
About Fiserv
Fiserv, Inc. (NYSE: FI), a Fortune 500 company, aspires to move money and information in a way that moves the world. As a global leader in payments and financial technology, the company helps clients achieve best-in-class results through a commitment to innovation and excellence in areas including account processing and digital banking solutions; card issuer processing and network services; payments; e-commerce; merchant acquiring and processing; and the Clover® cloud-based point-of-sale and business management platform. Fiserv is a member of the S&P 500® Index and has been recognized as one of Fortune® World’s Most Admired Companies™ for 9 of the last 10 years. Visit fiserv.com and follow on social media for more information and the latest company news.
Contact:
Sergio Vaccaro
sergio.vaccaro@poncebank.net
718-931-9000
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