DeDivahDeals

Fashion and Fun after Fifty

Posts Tagged ‘new business’

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!

 

 

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Swahili Kitchen

Hello Friends and Happy Fri-Yay!

Is your palate stuck in a rut…do you find yourself always ordering the same foods…pizza, cheese steaks or Chinese takeout?  Do you want something different while supporting a new local business, then I suggest you try Swahili Kitchen on Main Street in Middletown.

Swahili Kitchen specializes in East African cuisine, specifically recipes from Tanzania, and although the menu is new it’s actually the second part of Manhattan Bagel, also owned by Rishen Patel and his wife Heeral.

The concept of adding a different offering in an already thriving breakfast business was a great idea, Rishen stated that after 2 p.m. no one was coming in to buy bagels so he decided to offer his native foods.  In Middletown you can find every type of food except African style which is what motivated the Patels to open Swahili Kitchen.

On Sunday, hubby and I stopped in and decided to try the chicken and beef items from the promotional menu, which also included Pork Kebabs, but you know we don’t eat pork.  If you like mildly spicy foods you will definitely enjoy the Chicken dishes, especially the marinated leg quarters called Sekela.  There was just the right balance of seasoning including curry and the chips weren’t soggy even with the veggie topping.  The promotional prices, currently $5 and under were very reasonable considering the portion sizes which were more than enough for leftovers.

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The Chicken Mishkaki is listed as being served on a skewer, but since we had take out it was simply placed in a Styrofoam container.  The Tamarind Sauce was a perfect compliment to this dish of very tender chicken cubes, potatoes, green peppers and onions slices.

What are called “chips” in Africa are actually what we call “fries”, and they are topped with a veggie mix of shredded carrots, cabbage and red onions and a perfect blend of spices.

Chicken Pili Pili is a spicy BBQ leg quarter served with white rice and coleslaw

Dinner was excellent and the side sauce added just the right amount of “fire” for me!

So this weekend if you are in the mood for something different head over to Swahili Kitchen which is located at 400 W. Main St. and their hours of operation are 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday (closed Monday)

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Eden’s Touch Bread Company

Hello Friends and Happy Saturday!

A few weeks ago at The Java House Cafe I had the pleasure of meeting Marissa G., owner/baker of Eden’s Touch Bread Company.  She was there to feature her Specialty Loaves of Homemade Breads, “made with love, no chemicals or preservatives”.  Eden’s Touch Bread Company delivers fresh baked products at affordable prices and delivers exceptional customer satisfaction.  The bakery is located in Collingdale, PA, however, they ship nationwide as well as make local deliveries to the Philadelphia tri-state area.  Eden’s Touch Bread Company also features other items including Gluten Free Gourmet Butter, Croutons and Bread Mixes (menu).

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I purchased two of the mini Banana Walnut loaves and couldn’t wait to get them home to try.  I had one warm slice with my afternoon tea and then my men ate the rest!  I wished I had purchased others to hide store in the freezer, I’ll place an online order.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

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Eden’s Touch Bread Company is a new business, only a year old and they recently launched a go fund me campaign to raise money for a larger oven.  The goal is to raise $500, and if you would like to donate and receive a gift certificate please click the bread pic below.

bigger better oven campaign

Make sure to sign up for their Newsletter to receive discount coupons and monthly specials.

dedivahdeals signature

Disclosure Statement
I was not financially compensated for this post, the product was purchased with my own money.  The opinions are 100% completely my own based upon my experience.

Eden's Touch Bread Company

Hello Friends and Happy Saturday!

A few weeks ago at The Java House Cafe I had the pleasure of meeting Marissa G., owner/baker of Eden’s Touch Bread Company.  She was there to feature her Specialty Loaves of Homemade Breads, “made with love, no chemicals or preservatives”.  Eden’s Touch Bread Company delivers fresh baked products at affordable prices and delivers exceptional customer satisfaction.  The bakery is located in Collingdale, PA, however, they ship nationwide as well as make local deliveries to the Philadelphia tri-state area.  Eden’s Touch Bread Company also features other items including Gluten Free Gourmet Butter, Croutons and Bread Mixes (menu).

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

I purchased two of the mini Banana Walnut loaves and couldn’t wait to get them home to try.  I had one warm slice with my afternoon tea and then my men ate the rest!  I wished I had purchased others to hide store in the freezer, I’ll place an online order.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Edenstouchbreadcompany-1

Eden’s Touch Bread Company is a new business, only a year old and they recently launched a go fund me campaign to raise money for a larger oven.  The goal is to raise $500, and if you would like to donate and receive a gift certificate please click the bread pic below.

bigger better oven campaign

Make sure to sign up for their Newsletter to receive discount coupons and monthly specials.

dedivahdeals signature

Disclosure Statement
I was not financially compensated for this post, the product was purchased with my own money.  The opinions are 100% completely my own based upon my experience.