Walter Robb and Teamwork Englewood, a Englewood community based organization, and the Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce are excited to announce the 2017 finalists for the Englewood Business Plan competition which will be held on Thursday December
Teamwork Englewood Community Room. “The finalists are commended for the time and dedication they contributed to this competition and getting their business started or expanded. They will all go on to the third and final phase: Blue Ribbon Pitch Competition.” Felicia Slaton Young, Executive Director of the Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce.
The top ten finalists range from urban gardening initiatives, to skin care products: Zanjabil, KNCAC, Obsidian Rising, LLC, KitchenNet, LLC, Altogether Love, Inc., Just E Skincare, Just Pure Hair & Beauty, My Crafty Table, Pamela Marie Bridal Boutique, Le Go-Be Great, The Blue Sapphire Experience.
“This is an opportunity for fledgling businesses to ramp-up their game and receive excellent supportive services in addition to having an opportunity to win BIG cash prizes to advance their business,” said Perry Gunn, executive director, Teamwork Englewood. “We seek the best talent with the brightest new ideas from the community to help create a vibrant and sustainable business district in the heart of Englewood.”
The competition is presented by the Englewood Quality of Life Plan Jobs and Economic Development Task Force in collaboration with the Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce and are charged with identifying emerging businesses that are crucial for building a thriving enterprise zone in Englewood.
Task force members along a selection committee comprised of local business leaders and educators, will evaluate applicant submissions. Finalists will participate in a culminating, open to the public, “Pitch Competition” on Thursday, December 14th beginning at 10:00 a.m., that will feature a Blue Ribbon panel of judges including Walter Robb, former Co-CEO of Whole Foods Market the lead sponsor and originator of the competition.
Competition Collaborators
Operation HOPE, Creative Genius Law, The Greater Englewood Community Development Corporation, Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce, SCORE Chicago, Women’s Business Development Center, Jim Harbin, Marquette Bank, PNC, Andrea Zopp (World Business Chicago), Rosa Escarena, Greater Southwest Development Corporation, Chicago Foundation for Women, Bright Community Services, Accion, Boombox Chicago, I&S Wine & Spirits, and Calahan Funeral Home.
About Teamwork Englewood
Teamwork was formed in 2003 as part of the New Communities Program, sponsored by Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and the MacArthur Foundation. Its goal is to unite the many organizations serving Englewood residents and work toward the common goal of building a stronger community.
Created by St. Bernard Hospital, Greater Englewood Parish United Methodist Church and Pullman Bank Initiatives (a subsidiary of the former Park National Bank), Teamwork Englewood drew input from more than 600 residents to draft a “Quality of Life Plan” – a roadmap to a brighter future for Englewood. For more information, please visit: www.teamworkenglewood.org.
