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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


Meet The Greek

A few weeks ago I attended a “Meet The Greek” event sponsored by Lisa Bryant and Associates Fidelity Group, LBAFG.com.  This networking event was held at Fusions Taster’s Choice, an Olive Oil & Vinegar Tasting Center in the Talleyville Shopping Center. 

Lisa and I had met previously in 2013, at the The Delaware Today 1st Annual Fashion Awards where we connected instantly, so it was my pleasure to support her in this endeavor.  As you can tell from these pictures, we both represented our individual Sororities well, she Zeta Phi Beta and I, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

Meet the Greek The owner of Fusions Taster’s Choice is Dolores Waddell, also a member of Zeta Phi Beta and an Olive Oil connoisseur extraordinaire!  Her shop is beautifully decorated with walls of Ultra Premium Olive Oils, Balsamic Vinegars, Sea Salts, Spices and Jams all with their own distinct flavors.  However, they accentuate the flavors of many foods and beverages as evidenced by the tasty treats prepared by Chef Bryan, including delicious Jerk Chicken Wontons. 

Fusions Taster’s Choice not only sells products, they also host fabulous tastings featuring some of the world’s freshest oils and vinegars including a few new pairings such as Dark Chocolate Balsamic & Blood, Blackberry-Ginger Balsamic & Persian. 

Meet the Greek

Ultra Premium Olive Oils

Jerk Chicken Wontons

Oils 1 Oils 3 Oils 4

You can order any of these items online as well as other natural body lotions, gels and scrubs, so make sure to check out the website www.fusionstasterschoice.com then get an early start on your holiday gift shopping.

Meet the Greek networking oils and vinegars In addition to scrumptious Wontons prepared by Chef Bryan, there was also an awesome assortment of decadent desserts prepared by Chef Dana, owner of Desserts By Dana.

Chef Dana Desserts by Dana 1 Desserts by Dana 2 Desserts by Dana 3 Michael J. Waller, proprietor of UniqueFreak, LLC had set up a large display of Greek Paraphernalia that he designs and custom creates.  The sight of the paddles brought back memories of my college days, some good…some not so good, however, I pushed those thoughts aside then purchased an engraved Sigma Gamma Rho purse .

Greek Paraphernalia

Meet the Greek Networking event

Meet the Greek networking event “Meet the Greek” was a great evening filled with food, fun and friends and I look forward to attending the next networking event sponsored by Lisa hopefully in the near future.

The goal of LBAFG is “To Change a Culture; Empowering a Generation to Change the Culture”.  So if  you or someone you know is a member of a Greek letter organization who wants to learn more about Lisa Bryant and Associates Fidelity Group workshops and seminars, check out her website www.LBAFG.com 

Meet the Greek Meet the Greek Networking Event

networking

Networking in Delaware

How about you, are you a member of a Greek letter organization?  If so, let me know which one and what are some of your fondest pledging memories?

Meet the Greek 31

Meet the Greek Networking Event