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Rising Tide Capital's News, Events, and Community Voices

VOL 51 October 2014

NEWS:

Our Local Economy Summit Was a Huge Hit!

The Third Annual Start Something Champions Gala is in Two Weeks!

Breaking News: Alfa Recognized As Leading Social Entrepreneur

Savion Glover Headlined Our First-Ever ARTfest! in Newark

CBA Grad Helped Create One of Jersey City's First Farmer's Markets

CBA Graduates on the Rise

RTC In the News

EVENTS:

Our November Calendar

Upcoming CBA Information Session

Spanish: November 10 @ 6:30PM- Ironbound Community Corporation, 432 Lafayette St., Newark, NJ

Passaic County: November 18 @ 6:30PM- Alexander Hamilton Recreational Center, 685 East 34th St., Paterson, NJ

Hudson County: November 19 @ 6PM- St. Paul's Lutheran Church Community Center, 440 Hoboken Ave, Jersey City, NJ

3rd Annual Start Something Champions Gala

November 13, 2014 @ 6PM-Hyatt Regency on the Hudson, 2 Exchange Place, Jersey City, NJ 07302

COMMUNITY:

My American Dream

What's New on MLK Drive?

Our Local Economy Summit Was A Huge Hit!

Earlier this month we gathered 150 local leaders and entrepreneurs at Saint Peter's University to discuss opportunities for small business growth. We engaged attendees in highly interactive presentations, panel discussions and breakout sessions to work out solutions for a more inclusive economy for small business owners

We heard from Judy Wicks, leader of the Local Living Economy Movement and Mayor Fulop who announced the city's $1.2 million advertising campaign featuring local small businesses to promote Jersey City as a destination. A highlight of the day was Co-Founder of Priceline.com Jeff Hoffman's pledge to participate as a mentor to film and media entrepreneurs at the Business Development Incubator at NJCU. Read More.

The Third Annual Start Something Champions Gala is in TWO Weeks!

Join us for an evening of celebration and inspiration on November 13 at the gorgeous Hyatt Regency on the Hudson, just minutes away from Manhattan on the PATH train to Exchange Place. On that evening, the three winners of the Start Something Challenge will receive their cash prizes. Each of the remaining seven finalists will receive an iPad air and we will announce the winner of the People's Choice Award.

Our annual celebration also recognizes the work local and national leaders in entrepreneurship. This year's honorees include The Paul and Phyllis Fireman Foundation, Whole Foods, NJCU and Numi Tea. We look forward to celebrating with you at our Gala, for tickets click here!

To learn about the 2014 Start Something Champions Gala, click here.

BREAKING NEWS: Alfa Recognized as Leading Social Entrepreneur

Congratulations Alfa! Our CEO and co-founder Alfa Demmellash won a 2014 Social Venture Network Innovation Award! Alfa was among four business leaders, selected by a panel of 16 expert judges, based on the innovation and impact their businesses demonstrated in solving social, environmental and economic problems.

"Receiving the SVN award was a great honor because this group of leaders has similar interests in economic justice, environmental issues and transforming our world into a better place. It is truly a remarkable network, and being recognized by your peers is always very rewarding and humbling."

Savion Glover Headlined Our First-Ever ARTfest! in Newark!

While ARTfest!-a celebration of the entrepreneur in every artist-has been an annual event in Jersey City since 2009, we decided to host a second ARTfest! in Newark this year for the first time ever. We invited Rising Tide Entrepreneurs and Essex County small business owners to participate as vendors. There were also live performances from Jazz musician and Rising Tide Entrepreneur Brianne Ford, as well as Soul and Hip-Hop artist J Ross.

The audiences truly enjoyed hearing renowned tap dancer, Savion Glover's story and were able to ask him questions about his journey as a successful artist entrepreneur.

To learn more click here!

CBA Grad Helped Create One of Jersey City's First Farmers Markets

Personal trainer, chef and holistic wellness coach, Maripili Rodriguez isn't just the owner of Next Wave Fitness, an ever-active member of the Jersey City community, this Rising Tide Entrepreneur is now also a board-member of the Riverview Farmers Market located at Riverview-Fisk Park. As the Programming Co-Chair she organizes the market, securing vendors, live music, and other programming.

"The Riverview Farmers Market is an important part of our community. Prior to this, Jersey City didn't have fresh produce at an affordable price. The farmers market is also an affordable way for local entrepreneurs to get their services and products out there, while networking with other businesses. It's a great way to provide something that is viable to the neighborhood."

Learn more.

CBA Graduates on the Rise

Rising Tide Community Wins Big at the Small Business Summit

Last week, RTC staff and entrepreneurs as well as Start Something Challenge finalists attended the 9th Annual Small Business Summit. Not only did the Rising Tide Community receive complimentary tickets from the host, Ramon Ray, but two Rising Tide Entrepreneurs received prizes to assist in their business endeavors!

CBA graduate Corin Wright won a free website makeover from Wix and Chrishan Wright won a HP Multifunction Laser Printer, valued at $500. Learn more here.

Taking Their Business To The Next Level

Congratulations to CBA grads Corin Wright, Nicole Silva and Universe Konadu who moved on to the next level of the Chase Mission Main Street Grant Program. Thanks to your support they gained 250 and have the potential to win $250,000 for their businesses. Wish them luck!

Help Dawn Produce Books for Kids, By Kids!

Dawn McLaughlin CBA graduate and owner of Positively Publishing, which produces multicultural kids' books, is currently fundraising through Indiegogo to fund the creation of her first book. She hopes to publish a series of books "for all kid, by kids" that will help close the diversity gap in children's literature and empower kids to create income for themselves through royalties.

"Designing the books is next and we have an amazing designer lined up! The final step is getting the books printed, but we will need some help!" Dawn said. Support her by clicking here!

RTC In the News

Entrepreneurship and Local Communities Focus of Jersey City Summit- After attending the Local Living Economy summit, American Entrepreneurship editor Jeanne Gray published an article highlighting the main points of the event.

Savion Glover will headline free ARTfest! event at Rutgers Newark- Brick City Live featured ARTfest! in their online publication.

Alfa Demmellash Recognized for Impact On Poverty- Alfa participated in a live interview via Google Hangout with Devin Thorpe, a Forbes contributor and fellow social entrepreneur. They spoke about Alfa's recognition by SVN and her work through RTC.

My American Dream

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month Business Services Coordinator, Victoria Rodriguez, explains how growing up in an immigrant household inspired her to work in the micro-business development field for more than 20 years.

"One thing my parents both stressed is that my sisters and I are Americans and part of the American Dream. And this, I think, is why I enjoy my work so much. I love teaching people to help themselves, build their businesses, change their local economies and, ultimately, change neighborhoods where they live.

Hispanics are the largest group of people starting businesses in the US and I think that's really important because entrepreneurship is helping them to bridge a gap. It's so much fun for me to work with entrepreneurs and to see them 'getting it.' I always get asked about what I do for a living. When I say that I work for a nonprofit that helps people build businesses, the response is almost often, "You help people make money? And I say yes, but it is so much more than that. It's about growing society in a way that, at least in my experience, truly works."