Local entrepreneurs Jnicholle Glover and Charletta Broome are still on cloud nine after walking away as top winners of the ROC Urban Entrepreneurship RIT competition. The duo, who are the founders of Urban Euphoria, LLC, an entertainment venue in downtown Rochester, claimed their $25,000 business growth check and joined some of the area’s newest business owners at the Aug. 25 celebratory event at the Hyatt Regency Rochester.
For the first time since the start of the pandemic, the Center for Urban Entrepreneurship, located at 40 Franklin St., hosted the highly successful business competition, which was open to all businesses operating within Monroe County.
Peter Parts
Lindsay Tarnoff, founder, owner and chief chocolatier at Laughing Gull Chocolates, presents her business plan to the judges.
Other contest winners were Laughing Gull Chocolates, purveyor of high-quality organic chocolates made locally with transparently sourced ingredients, owned by Lindsay Tarnoff (Rochester Rotary 4-Way Test Award); Sew-N-City Hair Salon, specializing in sew-ins and weaves, wig customization and fitting, make-up, lashes, braided styles, crochet looks and haircuts, owned by Shannon Scott (Prize of people’s choice and the Urban League of Rochester award); and Morgan’s Cereal Bar, featuring a variety of hot and cold cereals, diverse cuisine and beverages, and a food truck, owned by Cheria Anderson (Urban League of Rochester award).
The competition was open to business owners who have an existing business plan and business model that generates a minimum of $25,000 in annual gross revenue. Participants were required to meet at least once with a business coach during the competition, as well as attend boot camp sessions, which covered game etiquette, financial literacy, and business plan review and updating. Judges looked at the businesses’ unique competitive advantage, marketability, owner/team industry expertise, business financial strength and company growth. Ten businesses were chosen to compete.
“We are so pleased with the quality and variety of submissions we received for our business competition,” said Ebony Miller-Wesley, director of the RIT Center for Urban Entrepreneurship. The center was created to help reshape the regional economy and build wealth within the urban community by being the hub for urban entrepreneurial programs and research.
“We are always looking for business owners who are passionate about their ideas and their potential for success,” she added. “This competition gives us the unique opportunity to serve those businesses who may be challenged by securing access to capital or need some direction as they look to the next steps in their entrepreneurial journeys. We hope to continue to have an impact that will help them grow within Monroe County and provide services to our communities.
Lindsay Tarnoff is the founder, owner and chef chocolatier at Laughing Gull Chocolates on East Main Street in Rochester. It was Tarnoff’s first time participating in this type of business competition, and she said the experience was invaluable.
“We had the opportunity to really emphasize who we are, our values, by solidifying a plan and understanding the numbers,” Tarnoff said. “We are proud Rochesterians and it was an honor to meet other local businesses who are also invested in the community. We feel fortunate to participate and winning the Rochester Rotary 4-Way Test is a privilege that connects us even more to our community and will help launch our growth forward. We are excited about our next steps as a business.”
Glover’s Urban Euphoria can host more than 200 people in the historic Jonathan Child mansion, named for Rochester’s first mayor, on Washington Street, and offers guests unique options, including soul food catering and event promotion.
“The willingness of RIT’s Center for Urban Entrepreneurship advisors and instructors to share their expertise has had a powerful impact on us as leaders,” said Glover. “We truly appreciate every gem and plan to continue to rely on CUE for guidance and direction as we grow our business.”
The pageant, which is expected to return in 2023, was sponsored by RIT, the Rochester Economic Development Corp., the Urban League of Rochester and the Rochester Rotary.
Go to the Center for Urban Entrepreneurship website for information on programs and services.
