Amidst the bright lights and pulsating energy of Manhattan, Jimmy Newson, the Impact Influencer, found himself graced with the exhilarating experience of attending the 1010 WINS Small Business $10K Challenge. Held on December 7, 2023, at the cutting-edge Audacy Studios, this event encapsulated the fierce spirit of entrepreneurship and competition. As five dynamic small businesses contended for the much-coveted top prize of $10,000, Jimmy got the chance to witness first-hand the influential power small businesses exert on their respective communities, further reinforcing his passion for social impact through commerce.
Even before he had the chance to witness these amazing entrepreneurs, he spent time learning about Kyria A. Harris and her amazing business called Keys to Abundant Life. She was there to support her colleague and friend, competing for the $10K prize.
Meet The Amazing Small Business Finalists
- Cooking Cosmetics Inc.
- Yard Card Mother Inc.
- Quiick Briick Inc.
- BeeFavored, LLC
- Anthony’s Cheesecake & Restaurant
What is the Small Business $10K Challenge?
The 1010 WINS Small Business $10K Challenge is a contest conducted by Entercom New York, LLC, for small businesses based in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. The contest is intended for privately owned and operated businesses, for-profit entities such as a corporation, a limited liability corporation, a partnership, a limited partnership, or a sole proprietorship, and that have up to 100 employees.
Program Overview
The event program is primarily led by Rob Walsh, who is the former NYC Small Business Services Commissioner and current 1010 WINS Anchor of The Bottom Line for Small Business. The event opens with an introduction to Steven Miley, the Chief Marketing Officer for Dime Community Bank, who will provide a business update. The Vice President of Audio & Digital News for Audacy New York, Ben Mevorach, then takes the stage to reflect on the eight-year run of this program, which will culminate in the awarding of $200,000 to various small businesses after the evening’s award. Furthermore, Walsh conducts an interview with the previous 1010 WINS Small Business $10K Winner from June 2023, Kristin Daggan. Kristin is accompanied by her Mother-in-Law, Jean Daggan, and both are co-owners of the Clay and Kiln Studios based in Staten Island. Finally, shout out to Mark Businski for keeping the program running smoothly.
Figure 1 – Kristin Daggan and Jean Daggan, owners of Clay and Kiln Studio
Deep Dive on the Five Finalists
Cooking Cosmetics Inc
Gena Surphlis: Founder
https://www.linkedin.com/in/genasurphlis
Cooking Cosmetics Inc., led by owner Gena Surphlis, offers innovative workshops targeted at students between 8 and 18 years of age. These workshops teach students how to leverage food and natural ingredients in creating their own personal care products, essentially promoting the concept of wellness and beauty. The focus is not just on external beauty but on internal well-being, too.
Specifically, for the age group of 9-14 years, students learn how the foods they consume also contribute positively to their skin. This is achieved through interactive cooking classes that underscore the dual benefits of food for health and skincare. For students between the ages of 13-18, the workshops teach how to maintain healthy skin using products made from food and natural elements. The students are taught the critical skill of reading labels on skincare products to understand and minimize the usage of harmful synthetic ingredients.
URL: https://www.cookingcosmetics.com/
Yard Card Mother Inc
Regina Dixson: Founder
The Yard Card Mothers is a business owned by Regina Dixson and her partner in Long Island, NY. The business revolves around yard sign rentals for any occasion, be it holidays, school-related, or any special occasion. Their service is unique as they offer to come to the customers’ location to set up the Yard Card signs. Originally starting as a hobby, Yard Card Mothers has now transformed into a small enterprise, attracting a loyal customer base across the city.
More than just a business, Yard Card Mothers actively engages in philanthropic activities. Their dedication to community service involves giving back to the community in any way possible. They often organize fundraising activities for schools and charities. They also show their generosity by providing free cards to those in need. Their vision is not merely commercial; their main focus is to continue serving their community while nurturing the business simultaneously. Their activities can be followed through their Facebook page, which is linked below.
URL: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069390513443
Quiick Briick Inc
Jessica Brewlington – Founder
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-brewington/
Quiick Briick Inc., under the leadership of Jessica Brewlington, is focused on providing innovative solutions to build greener, smarter cities and homes through the creation of upcycled eco-bricks. These eco-bricks are not just environment-friendly but also built to last, boasting characteristics like fireproof, weatherproof, bulletproof, and lightweight. Quiick Briick Inc. is positioning itself at the intersection of waste management and construction, two major concerns for global sustainability. Their strategy aims to mitigate plastic pollution while transforming the way cities are built.
The company is in the exploratory phase of securing funding through multiple avenues, such as crowdfunding, grants, and accelerators, which reveals an ambitious and forward-looking approach. In addition to their commitment to sustainable offerings, Quiick Briick Inc. maintains a comprehensive focus on research, consistently seeking to revolutionize the construction industry through innovative, eco-friendly materials.
URL: https://www.quiickbriick.com/
BeeFavored, LLC
Theresa M Crichlow – Founder
BeeFavored, LLC, also known as the Honey Parlor, is based in New York and provides top-quality, healthy honey sourced from various bee hives located throughout the USA. BeeFavored’s line of products ranges from artisan honey blends to pure and raw honey, offering a wholesome and unique flavor that distinguishes it from conventional supermarket honey. The brand focuses on organic products and aims to upgrade the taste of honey without losing its natural benefits. Apart from this, they are known for their excellent customer service and place great importance on manufacturing their products safely.
In addition to honey products, BeeFavored also sells a variety of other goods, including sea moss harvested directly from the sea, homemade specialty jam, and a selection of spices and sauces. The company receives rave reviews from its customers, not only for its delicious honey but also for its excellent customer service. Their product line also has apothecary items and bling tennis shoes. The benefits of their organic honey include aiding in lowering blood pressure. The owner of BeeFavored, Theresa M Crichlow, is committed to encouraging pollination, supporting pollinator bee populations, enhancing honey production, and promoting sustainability and social responsibility.
URL: https://beeloved.ueniweb.com/
Anthony’s Cheesecake & Restaurant
Anthony Lauro – Founder
Anthony’s Cheesecake & Restaurant, located at 71 Washington Street, Bloomfield, New Jersey, has been a revered staple in the community for over a decade. Owner Anthony Lauro helms it. The establishment offers a variety of services, such as daily breakfast and lunch, and they are especially renowned for their delicious cheesecake. Moreover, the restaurant engages with its customers by offering daily specials via e-mail.
Despite challenging situations like the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricane Ida, the resilience of Anthony’s Cheesecake & Restaurant is laudable as it continues to remain operational and serve its loyal customers. As their reputation for quality products precedes them, they continue to elicit the patronage and delight of their customers, especially dessert lovers. In addition to its regular operations, the company is known for its admirable customer relations. Looking ahead, Anthony’s Cheesecake & Restaurant intends to continue its legacy for years to come.
URL: https://anthonyscheesecake.com/
And the Winner Is!
CONGRATULATIONS TO: Cooking Cosmetics Inc.
Regrettably, there can only be one winner. However, let’s explore how we can extend our support to all of these outstanding businesses. MFSB wishes to commence by extending an offer to all the finalists, providing them with a 1-year professional membership. In addition, we’re offering our exclusive Business Plan Boot Camp program and a complimentary 1-hour consultation to discuss business strategies.
Special Shout-Out to the Judges, Host, and Sponsors
We are sincerely grateful to the esteemed judges, Daniel Delehanty, the Community Development Director at Dime Community Bank, Dr. Susan Parish, the President of Mercy University, and Mike Cusick, the President of Staten Island Economic Development Corporation. Your insight, experience, and dedication played an invaluable role in the success of the Small Business $10K Challenge.
A huge shout out to the charismatic host and MC, Rob Walsh, the Anchor of 1010 WINS The Bottom Line for Small Business. Your eloquence and enthusiasm made the event engaging and exciting for everyone involved.
We also express our deepest gratitude to this program’s generous sponsors & partners – Audacy, 1010 WINS, and Dime Community Bank. Without your support and contribution, events like the Small Business $10K Challenge would not be possible. Thank you for supporting small businesses and believing in their potential.
In Conclusion
In closing, congratulations once again to Cooking Cosmetics Inc. for their well-deserved victory in the Small Business $10K Challenge. We applaud all the finalists for their unwavering passion and continued drive to impact our society meaningfully. We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to the partners and sponsors who have played pivotal roles in bringing this event to life and enabling these deserving businesses to thrive.
We look forward to more empowering and transformative journeys ahead. Remember, every time you choose to support a small business in your community, you’re backing someone’s dream and contributing to the economic growth of your local area. Here’s to the brave dreamers and the beautiful impact of small businesses in our communities!
Do You Need a Little Support with Predictable Growth in Your Business?
If you are a small business owner or entrepreneur and are in need of strategic support to foster predictable growth in your business, check out MFSB. We aim to be the world’s leading strategic support system for businesses like yours. Our vision is to provide unbiased education, reliable strategic support and to act as your trusted advisor for growth. Take the next step towards scaling your business by visiting our strategic membership and community page. We are committed to helping you CRUSH IT with Strategy and Growth. Let’s grow your business together!
