05.11.23
Erica Watson, the woman behind a hair care company called MixxTresses Hair Collection, has won the top prize in M&T Bank's Harlem Multicultural Small Business Lab pitch competition. Carver Federal Savings Bank is a partner in the program.
The final competition was held this month at the Harlem Commonwealth Council. Judges included representatives from M&T, Carver, Elevate Digital, and consultancy Covenant Seven. It is the finale of of six-week which is connected to M&T's celebration of US. Small Business Month.
Watson’s brand—which offers extensions as well as liquid haircare products—won $16,000.
She toppped others winners that included a cold-pressed juice company (Cellful Organics, second prize, $12K) and a community center called The Bodega Lounge (third prize, $6K).
In total, 60 entrepreneurs from the Harlem area participated in the Harlem Multicultural Small Business Lab, the fifth in a series of programs launched by M&T Bank in Buffalo in 2021 to help multicultural small businesses access the resources and knowledge needed to grow. The Harlem Multicultural Small Business Lab helps entrepreneurs deepen their business expertise and gain insights into creating business plans, understanding credit and the underwriting process, accessing capital, marketing, networking and more.
"The feeling is indescribable; this was such an invaluable experience," said Watson in a statement. "I feel so elated, so motivated, and so ready to take my business to the next level."
The final competition was held this month at the Harlem Commonwealth Council. Judges included representatives from M&T, Carver, Elevate Digital, and consultancy Covenant Seven. It is the finale of of six-week which is connected to M&T's celebration of US. Small Business Month.
Watson’s brand—which offers extensions as well as liquid haircare products—won $16,000.
She toppped others winners that included a cold-pressed juice company (Cellful Organics, second prize, $12K) and a community center called The Bodega Lounge (third prize, $6K).
In total, 60 entrepreneurs from the Harlem area participated in the Harlem Multicultural Small Business Lab, the fifth in a series of programs launched by M&T Bank in Buffalo in 2021 to help multicultural small businesses access the resources and knowledge needed to grow. The Harlem Multicultural Small Business Lab helps entrepreneurs deepen their business expertise and gain insights into creating business plans, understanding credit and the underwriting process, accessing capital, marketing, networking and more.
"The feeling is indescribable; this was such an invaluable experience," said Watson in a statement. "I feel so elated, so motivated, and so ready to take my business to the next level."