August 05, 2019
It’s Rising Tide Capital’s 15th Anniversary, and 15 entrepreneurs have risen to the challenge and are competing for a grand prize of $15,000!
Fifteen of our RISE 50–three in each sector–completed the second round of the Challenge and are now moving on to our Sector Finals. Each entrepreneur will pitch head-to-head with those in their sector before a panel of five judges on July 25th. One entrepreneur in each sector will win $5,000, and be still in the running to win an additional $10,000 for their businesses.
These entrepreneurs and their businesses exemplify the true meaning of innovation, resilience, and leadership, and we are honored that they have chosen Rising Tide Capital as a platform to build their businesses.
Meet our RISE 15:
Amanda Ebokosia, The Gem Project (Community)
Amanda’s program boosts high school to college student engagement through service-learning initiatives, college readiness and workforce development services that take on a social justice approach.
Hilda Mera, S&A Auto Repair (Community)
S&A Auto Repair is much more than a professional and honest auto repair service. Hilda and her husband are committed to empowering women through our educational auto workshops, where they learn to understand the language of their vehicles.
Latrenda Zabaleta, Little Milestones Nursery & Early Learning Academy (Community)
Latrenda is committed to leveling the playing field for ALL children in Jersey City, regardless of ability. Little Milestones provides an equal and fair chance at educational success for every child, from the very beginning of their schooling.
Andres Diaz, ECO-LED House Numbers (Sustainablity)
Thanks to its built-in LED light that feeds on sunlight, ECO-LED House Numbers offers customers a self-sustaining and maintenance-free product that allows their property number to be always visible.
Tiffany Perry, BodyCafe LLC (Sustainablity)
BODYCAFE products create an intimate experience. They teach you how to love yourself again, starting with your biggest organ, your skin.
Jerome China, Lighter Side of Darkness Metal Sculpture Garden (Sustainablity)
Jerome collects and reclaims scrap metal and found objects to make sculpture which he displays in his Metal Sculpture Garden. Aside from its environmental impact, his garden and annex gathers like-minded people, nurtures their talent, and introduces fine, affordable art to customers.
Ashley Guzman, Sweet Ash Soap (Health)
Sweet Ash Soap is more than a soap business, it’s a promotion of love. People buy personalized handmade soap with a custom tag to show gratitude and love to friends, loved ones and sometimes even themselves.
Nia Reid-Allen, Myrtle&Flossie (Health)
More than retail, Myrtle&Flossie is committed to helping mamas on the continued journey of motherhood, by being a resource for “beyond the bump,” and helping them with all issues that come up post-baby.
Dominique Anderson, Amazing Strides (Health)
Amazing Strides provides inclusive community-based services and supports to individuals with various disabilities. We custom design our services so that each individual achieves their full potential for living meaningful and productive lives.
Eugene Barnes, Woke Empowerment (Expression)
Woke Empowerment explores social justice through the arts. Eugene and his wife Bernadette give underserved youth a voice and a place to express themselves.
Simone Anthony-Brown | Express Yourself Studios, LLC (Expression)
Express Yourself Studios offers its patrons the opportunity to explore art in a creative, non-judgmental, relaxing environment. We strive to be an exceptional experience for all– from our youngest customer to our oldest.
Zunyda Watson | Vibes After Dark LLC (Expression)
Zunyda empowers creative people to empower themselves. Vibes After Dark produces a healthy space for intergenerational connections, community, unity, self-expression, peace, creativity, and socio-economic progress.
Jesse Mcbride | Mademeals (Food)
Mademeals is committed to building a business that positively impacts our community, our health, and our environment by supporting responsible agricultural practices and providing job opportunities to those most in need.
Juli-Anne Royes-Russo | Juli-Anne’s Tropical Kitchen (Food)
Juli-Anne’s Tropical Kitchen is committed to creating superior nutritious snacks with no processed sugar, no soy or dairy & is gluten-free. We are a socially conscious company that advocates for food security, environmental sustainability and making the world a better place.
Karla Jimenez Moreno | Caidos del Cielo Bakery (Food)
Caidos del Cielo Bakery makes people happy having sweet treats that are allowed on their specials diets. We contribute to keep their healthy diet!
The sector winners will move on to the final round of competition, RISE: The Challenge Finale, on August 1st at Liberty Prime Steakhouse in Jersey City at 6:00 PM to pitch for an additional $10,000. Join us next Thursday to see who will move on in The Challenge.
