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ABlake Enterprises presents @ 1 Million Cups Wilmington

ABlake Enterprises presents @ 1 Million Cups Wilmington

1 Million Cups is a free, weekly national program designed to educate, engage, and connect entrepreneurs. Developed by the Kauffman Foundation, 1MC is based on the notion that entrepreneurs discover solutions and network over a million cups of coffee.

Every Wednesday morning, one or two early-stage startups present their companies to a diverse audience of their peers, mentors, educators, and advisors.

4 reasons to present at 1MC

 

Each founder presents for six minutes, followed by a 20-minute question-and-answer session with the audience.

Afterward, each startup receives feedback via audience comments and questions from local organizers and in our session were also students from DelTech Community College.

The culture surrounding 1 Million Cups is that of a supportive, neutral space welcoming entrepreneurs to be open and honest about their businesses and the challenges they face.

1 Million Cups is led by more than 300 volunteers in 35+ states, one U.S. territory, and six time zones. It attracts an estimated national weekly attendance of more than 2,500 people.

On Wednesday, May 4th, I presented ABlake Enterprises in front of a diverse audience which also included two of my “bestie” friends, Lisa Bryant of LBAFG Consulting, and Nicolle Surrett, NspiredbyNicolle .

1MillionCups

 

I am not going to lie and say that I wasn’t initially nervous, because I was.  As I sat there listening to Dillon, a young entrepreneur who presented prior to me I began to think, “what have I gotten myself into…I wonder if they think ABlake Enterprises is a pipe dream…or if they think I am too old to start a Social Media Management and Consulting Business but once I got started all of those question and anxieties disappeared.  

1MillionCups

 

1MILCups Presentation

 

Towards the end of my presentation which ran a bit longer than 6 minutes, my throat began to get dry.  I was too nervous to drink a cup of coffee prior to my presentation so I was definitely parched by the end of it.    

Fortunately, I had attended a previous presentation by Lisa and knew what to expect and since there weren’t many audience questions afterwards I was able to grab a cup of coffee, do a little networking before heading out to work.

coffee time

I highly recommend that all new business startups present at a 1Million Cups program, not only for the feedback but to also gain a little more experience in presenting in front of an audience of potential clients.

great opportunity for start ups support from my sistahs 1 Million Cups  

 

Thank you Paul, Mark, Kadesha and Brenda!

 

 

ABlake5x7PC-Front-proof


Independent Resources, Inc. #LaunchSpace Small Business Program Award Presentation

Independent Resources, Inc. #LaunchSpace Small Business Program Award Presentation

Hello friends, I hope all is well in your world.  Last week I had an opportunity to attend the IRI Small Business Program Award Presentation, as well as the honor of being one of the five judges.  

This Dolphin Tank Award’s program was IRI’s first and it was an excellent way in which to feature the hard work and dedication of the participants involved in the LaunchSpace Small Business Program.

Independent Resources, Inc., is a federally funded, private non-profit, non-residential organization providing services to persons with disabilities. IRI is a statewide organization with offices located in Wilmington, Dover and Dagsboro. Each office provides services that consumers consider critical in gaining control over their lives; services they feel will enable them to function in the community of their choosing.

#LaunchSpace Award Presentation Winners

Front Row: Larry Henderson (IRI Executive Director), Latoshia Caldwell (Finalist), Barbara Monaghan (DDC Chair), Emmanuel Jenkins (Runner-up)

Back Row: Cathy Woodhouse (First State CPAs Relationship Manager), Khalil Abdul-Majid (Finalist), Tina Riley (Entrepreneur of the Year), Ken Anderson (DEDO Director), Senator Brian Bushweller (state senator for 17th district), Antionette Blake (Social media and blogger consultant) and Jackie Reyes (Small Business Program Coordinator)

Khalil Abdul-Majid

Khalil Abdul-Majid: “Inspired by Touch Massage”

Latoshia Caldwell

 Latoshia Caldwell – Caldwell’s Helping Hands

Emmanuel Jenkins

Emmanuel Jenkins – We Stand 4 Something

Tina Riley

Tina Riley – Tina Riley’s Imaginarium

The program began with welcoming remarks from Dr. Tes del Tufo, then each participant presented their individual Business Plans.  As a judge, I along with Senator Brian Bushweller, Ken Anderson, Barbara Monaghan, and Cathy Woodhouse were given the arduous task of scoring them in 7 areas.  

I must admit that each participant did such an amazing job that it was hard not to rate them all “excellent” in each category.   I was truly impressed and definitely inspired by their plans, goals and overall presentations, I walked away thinking that I really needed to step up my game!

#LaunchSpace Awards program

Ken Anderson and I presented each with a Certificate of Completion and then the presentation of Accomplishments & Awards was made by Senator Bushwell, Cathy Woodhouse and Barbara Monaghan.  

In addition to a cash prize, the winner also received in-kind contributions, including my donation of 3 hours for Social Media and e-marketing training valued at $500.

Larry Henderson

The program ended with concluding remarks by Mr. Larry HendersonExecutive Director of Independent Resources, Inc.  It was yet another opportunity on a Thankful Thursday to be blessed with the ability to volunteer time to such a worthy organization.

#LaunchSpace presentation table Dr. del Tufo Cathy Woodhouse   #LaunchSpace #LaunchSpace Winners Mr. & Mrs. Jenkins New Year ~ New You

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