Accomplishments

Our “Special Events”

Business Plan Competitions

Winners of the 2002 Enterprising Woman Business Plan Competition: 1st place, Jocie Dye of Infusion -- A Coffee and Tea Gallery (center), 2nd place, Jacquelyne Washington of Conventional Technology, Inc. (right), and 3rd place, Jamila Payne of The Milla Group, Inc. (left). Photo by Solomon Wheeler.

The 2002 Enterprising Woman Business Plan Competition

In 2002, The Business Center partnered with The Temple University Small Business Development Center and The Enterprise Center to present The Women's Business Plan Competition. Sovereign Bank sponsored the event.

 

 

 

 

Presentation of $82,000 loan from Sovereign Bank to Infusion-A Coffee and Tea Gallery at the shop shortly after its opening In December 2002 on 7133 Germantown Avenue. Left to Right: Brian Hanlon, Sovereign Bank, Business Loans, Pete Kelly, President of Mt. Airy Business Association, Jason Huber, Owner, Infusion-A Coffee and Tea Gallery, Pamela J. Rich-Wheeler, Executive Director, The Business Center at New Covenant Campus, Morgan Johns, Community Banking SBA Department, Michael Kleiner, Secretary, MABA, George Butler, immediate Past President, MABA, Iola Carter, Director of The Avenue Project, Mt. Airy • USA. Front row: Aubrey Kenney, Assistant Vice-President, Community Banking Officer, Sovereign Bank, and Treasurer, MABA, Jocie Dye, Owner, Infusion-A Coffee and Tea Gallery, Betty Ann Felner, Director, Sedgwick Cultural Center, and Ana L. Gallardo, Economic Development Specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration, Philadelphia District Office. Photos by Jonna Naylor.

 

 

The Enterprising Woman –
The Savvy Entrepreneur Conference

The luncheon and keynote speaker at The Enterprising Woman Conference was Rebecca Mathias, Founder and President of Mother’s Work, Inc. Photo by George Butler.

In June 2001, The Business Center and Mt. Airy • USA organized their first conference for small business women, The Enterprising Woman – The Savvy Entrepreneur. Among the sponsors were Black Enterprise, Verizon, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, PECO-Exelon, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill National Bank, Primerica, Philadelphia Development Partnership, State Rep. LeAnna Washington, Summit Bank. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter.

The event attracted over 140 women with start-up and established businesses. Within the conference was a business plan competition. First prize was a $3,000 grant donated by Chestnut Hill National Bank and Sovereign Bank; second prize was a $500 gift certificate donated by Microsoft, and the third prize was a leather laptop bag donated by the Delaware Valley Innovation Fund. In 2003, we hope to double the cash awards.

Winners of The Enterprising Woman Business Plan Competition-2001 (left to right): Second Place -- Amy Chou and Andrea Chen of Cmy Pet, Inc.; First Place -- Diane Richardson of The Richardson Group, and Third Place -- Robin Ives of Firefly (Children’s Wear). Photo by George Butler.

Our “Graduates”

Three businesses have successfully “graduated” from The Business Center, securing market rate commercial office space in the surrounding area.

• Rhema Writing Concepts, an administrative and support company, is now located in Erdenheim.

• KKAJ, Inc., a steel construction company, is located in West Mt. Airy.

• American Financial Tax Consultants, an IRS compliance company for non-profits, is now located in East Mt. Airy.

Our “Testimonials”

New Business

“We couldn’t have opened without the help of The Business Center at New Covenant Campus.” Jocie Dye, President, Infusion--A Coffee and Tea Gallery and winner of 2002 Women’s Business Plan Competition Above with husband and co-owner Jason Huber Photo by Jonna Naylor

Pricing

“The classes helped me adjust my prices, and taught me how to charge according to my worth. Establishing networks and links with Temple University SBDC and The Business Center have opened new doors for me.” Michael Kleiner Public Relations Consulting and Web Design Photo by Jonna Naylor

Growing Business

“Temple’s SBDC course at The Business Center really helped me to focus on growing one aspect of my business at a time instead of trying everything at once.” Nnobi, Owner, Nnobi’s Natural Nack Braiding and Natural Haircare

Business Plan

“It was a great experience being one of the winners of the Enterprising Woman Business Plan Competition. The Business Center has provided me with on-going support. Together, we have developed ideas that have created additional revenue streams for my business.” Jamila Payne Photo by Solomon Wheeler

 

 

Consulting

“The consulting I’’ve received at The Business Center has helped me to restructure my business’ focus and take it to the next level.” Barbara Roane

Business Plan

“The business plan course was very encouraging. It’s never too late to start writing your vision. It was basic step-by-step planning..” Charlayne McFarland Photo by Jonna Naylor

 

Recent Client Highlights:

Michael Kleiner is the recipient of the Home-based Business Advocate Award from the U.S. Small Business Administration for Eastern Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, and Region III (Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and District of Columbia). He also received The Communicators Awards Crystal Award of Excellence for Featuring Writing.

Mr. Peeper's Optical opened at 7228 Germantown Avenue in February, 2003, with the help of a $40,000 loan from Sovereign Bank. At the presentation, top row, left to right: Pete Kelly, President Mount Airy Business Association (MABA), Michael Kleiner, Secretary, MABA, George Butler, immediate Past President, MABA, Iola Carter, Director of The Avenue Project, Mt. Airy • USA. Front row: Aubrey Kenney, Assistant Vice-President, Community Banking Officer, Sovereign Bank, and Treasurer, MABA, Catalina Bautista, Owner of Mr. Peeper's Optical (Eyewear Consultants); Pamela J. Rich-Wheeler, Executive Director, The Business Center; Ana L. Gallardo, Economic Development Specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration, Philadelphia District Office. Photo by Jonna Naylor.

 

 

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