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07-16-24

Driving Entrepreneurial Success: Pizza Hut Canada’s Equal Slice Program

ICIC

Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC), ICIC’s signature program for small business owners in the mid-stage of their growth, is thrilled to mark its fourth year in Canada in 2024, made possible by the generous support and partnership of the lead sponsor, Pizza Hut Canada, as part of YUM’s Unlocking Opportunity Initiative. At the heart of this initiative is the Equal Slice Program, a pivotal component offering participants the opportunity to vie for one of five $20,000 CAD grants designed to fuel the growth and scalability of their businesses. Equal Slice has provided a combined $300,000 in grants to small business owners since its inception, helping them build capacity for sustainable growth and resiliency. The 2023 grant winners include Akilah Newton of Big Dreamers, Carolina Foresti of Carolina's Brownies, Jaime Ward-Yassin of Hero Academy, Nancy Wingham of Nuez Acres, and Cynthia Sweeny of Simply Good Form Inc. This year, ICIC will present two Canada Cohorts—one conducted virtually and the other in person in Toronto, Ontario. The nation is home to 150 ICCC alumni, and since their participation in ICIC’s programs, they have achieved an outstanding average growth of 125% in revenue. This success underscores the impactful outcomes of the ICCC program, and the vital role played by Pizza Hut Canada in supporting the growth and resilience of small businesses across the country. Read More


07-15-24

Disrupting Disparity: Dianne Austin’s Journey to Inclusivity in Wig Making

ICIC

Dianne Austin, a breast cancer survivor, founded Coils to Locs after experiencing the lack of culturally sensitive wigs for people of color during her chemotherapy. Losing her hair in just two weeks, she found no suitable wigs that matched her curly, black hair, prompting her to start her own business in 2019. Dianne became a certified wig maker and initially partnered with three hospitals in Boston, now collaborating with 22 hospitals to provide realistic wigs that help individuals maintain their identity. Her mission extends beyond cancer patients, catering to various conditions causing hair loss. Supported by ICIC, Dianne has expanded her business, emphasizing self-expression, individuality, and inclusivity in her advocacy work. Read More


06-20-24

What’s Marcus’ Why? Faith

ICIC

Marcus Williams is the founder and Principal Consultant of MW Consulting, a D.C.-based firm that supports clients in leveraging communications to connect with their stakeholders and customers. Despite his challenging upbringing, Williams holds impressive academic qualifications and has held leadership roles in the communications field across various sectors. His career success led him to debut appearance on the Inner City 100 Awards list in 2023 ranking at 19. He credits his faith in a higher power as the primary driving force behind his accomplishments. A member of multiple marginalized groups, including the LGBTQ+ community, Williams approaches entrepreneurship from a unique perspective. He is committed to diversity, inclusion, and empowerment in both his personal and professional endeavors. Read More


06-19-24

Scooping Up Success

ICIC

Haydee Gomez's journey from working in a gelato shop to owning her own successful frozen dessert manufacturing company, Bosco Frozen Desserts, is a story of passion, determination, and innovation. After moving from Venezuela to Canada, she discovered her love for gelato and eventually pursued her dream of owning a gelateria. Alongside her brother, Ezequiel, she founded Gelato Gourmet and rapidly expanded the business through hard work and resilience. Despite the challenges posed by the 2020 pandemic, Haydee pivoted the business model and successfully launched Bosco Frozen Desserts, which has since become a renowned local artisan frozen dessert manufacturer. Haydee's commitment to continuous learning and growth led her to participate in Santander's Cultivate Small Business program, providing her with valuable knowledge and resources. Looking ahead, the Gomez siblings are set to introduce a new product line featuring nostalgic flavors inspired by their Venezuelan roots as they continue to innovate and grow Bosco Frozen Desserts. Read More


06-18-24

Scaling Up: How a CSB Graduate Used a Santander Grant to Transform their Small Business

ICIC

Darlene Jones is the talented mastermind behind Star Fusion Brand, a series of successful restaurants in West Philadelphia known for their fusion of American and Thai flavors. After leaving her corporate sales career, Jones used her marketing expertise to launch her brand in 2015. Jones participated in Santander’s Cultivate Small Business program, which helped her secure a $20,000 grant. The grant allowed her to invest in her company, acquire new contracts, and purchase a specialty oven to fulfill large orders. The experience of owning a small business has been a positive one for Jones. Despite experiencing some challenges, Jones remains motivated and encourages other business owners not to give up. Read More



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