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Volume 36                                                                                                                                                                 August 2013 
In This Issue
SSC 2013 Is In Full Swing
RTC Entrepreneurs Gain Access to Capital
RTC In The Community
Three Rising Tide Entrepreneurs Receive Incubator Spaces
What's New on MLK Drive?
Five Questions with AmeriCorps VISTA Russell Bornstein-Burd
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Making a Difference in the life of an entrepreneur means helping a talented individual  build a business that will sustain his or her family, provide jobs, and keep cash circulating in our communities. Every penny counts. Show your support for our entrepreneurs today!

 

Rising Tide Capital 
in the News
 
Jersey City Independent  

NEWS: 
SSC To Award Grants to NJ Businesses
Jersey City Independent
 

VIDEOS: Della Crews of News 12 spotlights Start Something Challenge 
News 12 NJ  
 
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 Start Something With Us!


Greetings!  

 

"Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy." 

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

Last week we commemorated the 50th Anniversary of Martin Luther King's I have a Dream Speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Though Civil Rights have come a long way, a larger struggle for economic equality that transcends race continues.

 

Since inception, Rising Tide Capital has made its home on Martin Luther King Drive. Inspired by Dr. King's work, together with a growing community of partners and funders, we empower underserved entrepreneurs with the skills, knowledge, and resources they need to start and grow strong businesses.  While the ways that we have carried out our mission have grown and evolved to meet the needs of our entrepreneurs, our mission has remained the same.  

 

Whether it is free incubator spaces, providing access to  financing, or a business strengthening opportunity like The Start Something Challenge, we are finding new ways to serve our entrepreneurs.

 

In turn, they are creating opportunities, not just for themselves and their families, but within their communities:

These are just a few of our entrepreneurs who are Starting Something and turning their dreams into reality. We invite you to Start Something with us. Whether you donate your time or your dollars to our mission, we cannot do this work without you!

 

Sincerely,

The Rising Tide Capital Team     

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Start Something Challenge 2013 Is In Full Swing  

 

 

With the September 6 Start Something Challenge deadline rapidly approaching, RTC staff continues to work with participants on their entries. In August, more than 30 entrepreneurs attended two 2-hour workshops where they learned how to create their short submission videos through Animoto.
 

RTC will team up with content marketing company Magnet Media to host a Google Hangout. This will be the first time RTC has ever offered an online training session to its clients. Participants will receive a "YouTube crash course" on getting their video noticed. While this Hangout is open to the public, it should be especially useful to Start Something Challenge participants, as video views count towards progressing in the competition.

 

Interested? You can attend the session from the RTC headquarters at 6:30pm in Jersey City (334 MLK Drive) or by using this link. 

 

Opportunities for Business Financing 

Money

 

Finding appropriate sources of business financing is a challenge for most small businesses. While a recent SBA report highlighted that small business lending improved in 2012, the number of micro-loans over the past year actually decreased.

 

In August, Rising Tide Capital offered entrepreneurs opportunities to learn about and access valuable opportunities for funding:

 

Lending Panel/Exchange Launch Party- Aspiring entrepreneurs and finance experts gathered in Newark, NJ, at the Financing Your Small Business in a Tough Economy Panel Discussion and Rising Tide Exchange Launch Party, to network, gain advice from local lenders and bankers as well as learn about the upcoming launch of the improved lending platform, Exchange 2.0.

 

Start Something Challenge-  Entrepreneurs have the opportunity to win $30,000 in cash and prizes to start or grow their businesses. Through this business pitch competition they can gain exposure and financing for their business ideas. The prizes are:1st Place $10,000 | 2nd Place $7,500 | 3rd Place $5,000

 

Rising Tide Entrepreneurs Making Strides

This month, Rising Tide Entrepreneurs used their skills and business acumen to provide affordable products and services to their communities!
 
Diahann De Ruggerio (on right) hopes to enrich, empower, and engage her students through her Enrichment Dance Class for at-risk youth. The dance program will build character and  self-confidence through the art of merengue and salsa.

 

Natalie Habig and Clodec Johnson brought 20 women from various backgrounds together for the Women's Empowerment Conference, an inspirational event geared toward helping women achieve their personal goals.

 

Reggie White will be opening his Halal Cafe this Saturday. He plans to support his community by offering high-quality, affordable food. He wants his success to serve as  an example to youth in his community, demonstrating that with hard work and determination, anyone can achieve their dreams. 

 

Three Rising Tide Entrepreneurs Receive Incubator Spaces

This August, three recent Community Business Academy (CBA) graduates were selected from a large pool of aspiring entrepreneurs to each receive a free 6-month residency at incubators across Northern New Jersey. These residencies include unlimited access to meeting and conference rooms, free Wi-Fi, printing capabilities and the opportunity to network with other small business owners.

 

What's New on MLK Drive?

Shanea Phillips joined the team as the new Public Relations Assistant- AmeriCorps VISTA 

Roger Cervantes was promoted to Program Manager for Business Acceleration Services

Mary Sansait was promoted to Program Manager for The Community Business Academy 

Bryan Franklin was promoted to Fundraising Coordinator when his Americorps VISTA term ended

We said "goodbye" to Tia Smith and Grace Chung when their VISTA terms ended.

Five Questions with AmeriCorps VISTA Russell Borenstein-Burd


 

Last May, aspiring social justice advocate Russell Borenstein-Burd, a Cornell College graduate with a degree in Psychology, joined Rising Tide Capital (RTC) as the Programs and Community Outreach Assistant. A native of Elizabeth, NJ--Russell brings experience living and working in the community that RTC serves, Spanish language skills and a passion for service. He will help RTC's programs team reach out to the local community and support the launch of RTC's first Spanish-language Community Business Academy. He being a part of the Rising Tide team, and the rewarding experience of assisting entrepreneurs and seeing their business in action.

 

 

 

 

 

Learn More About Russell