New Entrepreneurs Graduate from Ponce Bank Small Business Boot Camp
July 24 2024 - 3:49PM
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
Vaccarosergio.vaccaro@poncebank.net718-931-9000
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