WILMINGTON – The Barclays US Consumer Bank, in partnership with West End Neighborhood House, hosted the 7th annual Barclays Small Business Vendor Fair. The fair showcased more than 40 entrepreneurs’ products and services from the Launcher Program, an initiative of local nonprofit West End Neighborhood House that has provided more than 1,200 aspiring entrepreneurs with training and financial support to help start or scale their small businesses in Delaware.
Speakers at the event included Delaware Lt. Governor Kyle Evans Gay; Wilmington Mayor John Carney; Paul Calistro, Executive Director of West End Neighborhood house and Barclays CEO, Denny Nealon.
Prior to the event, Launcher entrepreneurs were invited to showcase their businesses by participating in a virtual pitch competition, judged by Barclays executives, West End leaders, and local dignitaries.
“We received more than 75 fantastic submissions – nearly double last year – from a wide variety of industries and specialties across Delaware,” Denny Nealon, CEO Barclays US Consumer Bank, said in a press release. “These businesses are truly the economic engine of our community and Barclays is thrilled to help them take their first steps towards financial independence and driving economic mobility.”
Wilmington Mayor, John Carney commented to attendees, “It just fills my heart with gratitude, and I want to thank all the people who made this amazing program happen. I look forward to hearing about the winners and what they are doing, and if they’re not already planning to do so, to locate their business right here in Wilmington where our economy is driven by small business and small business expansion.”
“It’s no small feat to take your idea from conception to reality to growth and further success,” Delaware Lieutenant Governor Kyle Evans Gay said to the crowd of Barclays employees and current Launcher participants, “I want to thank every business for choosing Delaware to be the home for the work you do and the ways you contribute to the community. Delaware is home to over 28,000 small businesses, over 250,000 jobs, which makes that 60% of our workforce. We are a state of small businesses and that is what will continue to drive our economy.
Winners of the pitch competition are:
Grand Prize $5,000: Ashley and Jacob Rice of Natural Nest Play Café, a creative indoor play café
2nd Place $4,000: Chris Boozer of The Trash Porters, a waste management provider specializing in doorstep garbage collection, junk removal and more.
3rd Place $3,000: Murachi Ramírez Alvarez of Murachef, a Mexican catering business and culinary training program. (Instagram: Murachef5, Facebook: murachiramirez)
4th Place $2,000 (Tie): Vonda Benson of Aunt Vonda’s Kitchen Table, a cook-to-order soul-food restaurant that brings the warmth of home-cooked meals
Chevonne Boyd from The Hive on Loockerman, a business and event center designed to empower professionals, entrepreneurs, and creatives.
5th Place $1,000: Milly Morales-Perez of Celestial Beauty, a beauty services business that takes the time to understand each client’s vision and bring it to life with personalized care.
Kristen Bowen, Launcher Program lead said, “Since 2016 Launcher has trained over 1,200 individuals across Delaware through our 14-week business training program. Nearly 600 have had their dreams turned into reality by launching businesses right here in our state and these businesses have gone on to create over 1,100 new jobs. With support from funders like Barclays and Newcastle County, our entrepreneurs have gained access to over $1.3 million in capital to launch and grow their businesses.”
Jacob Rice, co-owner of Natural Nest Café, was overwhelmed upon winning the grand prize and spoke on behalf of he and his spouse Ashley who was at home with their newborn son. Accepting an oversized check for $5,000, Rice said to the gathered crowd of Barclays employees and local officials, “Thank you for allowing us to be part of this program. Our journey started with a simple vision to create a space for holistic wellness and play, and to bring it all together for kids and families.” Rice continued, “To have that grow into what it is today is truly special.”
