2009 Finalists

Crystal Cotton - Crystal Clear Connextions

Crystal Clear Connextions is a new communications consulting firm providing workshops and customized consultations to individuals and small businesses.  From help with your resume or interview skills to corporate communications and websites, Crystal Clear Connextions does it all.  With extensive experience in HR and communications, Crystal decided she wanted to venture out on her own in 2008.  She started the business with a loan from Project Enterprise to set up her website and create promotional materials.  Since starting up, Crystal has been able to cut back on her hours at her regular job in order to spend more time on the business.  Crystal is now able to enroll people in workshops online and hopes to soon be operating her business full time.  To put a professional touch on all your communications, contact Crystal at www.crystalconnext.com.

Wayne Devonish - Working Minds Management & Development

Wayne has more than 11 years of property management experience having worked in leasing, appraisals and development, which he leveraged to create WMMD. WMMD began operations in July 2005 and provides maintenance services, administration, tenant screening and even court services for property owners and building associations.  When Wayne came to PE, his business had been incorporated for five years, but had no clients and no income.  In the past four years, with two loans from PE, he has built infrastructure to enable him to manage multiple properties by purchasing necessary software, and aggressively marketed and networked his business.  Operating out of his home in Brooklyn on a part-time basis, Wayne has gone from having no clients to overseeing five buildings with more than 60 units.  For professional property management in New York City, contact Wayne at wmdkaos@aol.com.

Derrick Guest - Griot's Roll Film

Derrick started Griot’s Roll Film and became a member of Project Enterprise in 2006. Griot’s Roll Film is a film/video production and post-production company working with independent film, record labels, small businesses, non-profit organizations, and now city agencies. Griot means Story Teller in Swahili and is operated by Derrick full-time from his apartment in Harlem. Through two loans from PE, he was able to purchase a camera, other equipment, and insurance. In 2007 Griot’s became certified as a MWBE (Minority and Women Business Enterprise) with the City of New York enabling him to link into lucrative city contracts.  Derrick has worked on promotional videos, training films, commercials and online video content for his clients.  Griot’s now has three regular free-lance employees. For film/video production services to tell your story, contact Derrick at www.griotsrollproduction.com.

Bobby Hoyte - Headmaster International

Bobby’s uncle owned a barbershop and introduced him to cutting hair, which he did on the side to earn a little extra money.  He began styling women’s hair and became fascinated with hair weaving techniques soon developing his own unique Ultraloc hair weaving system.  The Headmaster International, incorporated in 2004, styles hair and weave extensions.  Additionally, Bobby demonstrates the Ultraloc technique to other stylists and salons as part of his business.  Recently he began demonstrating his techniques at trade shows and also developed a DVD which he sells at other salons and individual stylists.  Bobby has secured several salon contracts across the country and overall his business is growing steadily.  Bobby operates his business full time and now has a part-time assistant. For hair extensions to make you your own headmaster, contact Bobby at bobbytheheadmaster@yahoo.com.

Bridgette King - King's Pet Kare

Bridgette has turned a love of animals into a profitable business.  After an unsatisfying job in marketing, Bridgette looked into ways to turn the pet-sitting favors she was doing for co-workers into a way to make money.  Bridgette approached and was turned away from several banks to fund her business.  Without funding to really launch the business, Bridgette began walking and boarding dogs from her home and worked her way through grooming school.  Bridgette came to PE in 2008 and was finally able to access financing so that she could afford the grooming equipment she needed to offer that service.  Earlier this year, Bridgette accessed a second loan to rent a storefront in Harlem where she plans to open a pet store with boarding facilities.  To have your pets treated like royalty, contact Bridgette at www.kingspetkare.ws.

Gustavo Robalino - Robalino & Robalino Construction Company

Gustavo operates a construction and general contracting company with his cousin Jorge.  They do much of the work themselves, but as needed they hire additional workers to complete jobs.  From flooring to repairs and refinishing, Robalino & Robalino does it all.  Gustavo came to PE, in 2006, after he left his full time employment, working construction for others, with a dream of owning his own company.  Today, Gustavo and his cousin operate the business full-time.  Three loans from Project Enterprise helped Robalino & Robalino to expand by purchasing a vehicle to travel between jobs, additional equipment and get incorporated. Robalino & Robalino became an incorporated business with the help of PE’s pro bono law firm Dorsey & Whitney.  Gustavo has been able to secure many contracts for jobs and has recently completed his largest job of transforming a one family home into a two family home.  For construction jobs big or small, contact Gustavo 347-791-1043.

Cynthia Shields - The Parenting Training Network

When Cynthia first came to PE in 2002, she did not know what type of business she wanted to start.  She began selling candles and other knick-knacks, but it simply wasn’t her passion or expertise.  With PE’s help she began refining a plan to utilize her own expertise which was a background in working with mothers in substance abuse programs.  By 2006, the Parent Training Network (PTN) was operating on evenings and weekends and Cynthia provided all the trainings herself.  PTN conducts workshops to both train parents and social service employees that work with parents.   Cynthia provides training on parenting skills and challenges, special education, career development and a variety of childcare-related classes.  This year, after completing PE’s business plan course, Cynthia was able to transition to running the business full-time and now has three consultant trainers to help manage demand for her services.  To polish up your parenting skills, contact Cynthia at shieldscynthia@yahoo.com.

Marquis Taylor - Mogul Sports Group

Marquis managed to turn a love of the game into a thriving business when he started Mogul Sports Group, an international athlete representation and sports marketing firm specializing in basketball.  Marquis acts as a liaison between his clients and professional basketball leagues overseas.   Mogul also arranges appearances and events for their athletes for businesses who want to use an athlete to build their business or brand.  He joined PE in 2008 and accessed a loan to launch his website where he showcases his clients.  His current client roster includes 7 basketball athletes, and he has been able to secure contracts for many of them.  Earlier this year, Marquis held his first training event in Puerto Rico where he was able to sign some of his clients to play there.  He has also become the official representation for Ecuador’s basketball league and for a semi-pro team in upstate New York.  When you are ready to go pro, or need a professional athlete, contact Marquis at www.mogulsportsgroup.com.

Karen Vanderburg - Eternal Beauty Salon

Karen operates, Eternal Beauty Salon, a full service hair and nail salon in the Bronx offering hair services, manicures and waxing.  When she came to PE in 2007, she had plans to utilize the basement of her existing salon space to offer spa services, but the landlord announced he would double the rent.  Undeterred, Karen relocated three doors down and came to PE for help.  She got a loan to renovate the new location and purchase new equipment.  The new space is larger and has allowed her to hire additional stylists and expand her service offerings.  Since moving to the store, her sales have considerably increased.  She is also keeping better books and has begun filing her business taxes with PE’s help. Karen operates the business full time and has 8 stylists working for her. For a great salon experience, contact Karen at karenofeternal@aol.com or 1324 Gunhill Rd, Bronx.

George Williams - Ujamaa Communications

Ujamaa Communications provides computer services, tech support, networking and computer repair services for individuals and small businesses.  George has been a member of Project Enterprise since 2002 when his business was operating part-time.  Slowly he built his customer base until he was able to quit his job to operate Ujamaa full-time.  With PE’s help, George opened a storefront in the beginning of 2007 in Harlem.   PE also helped George connect to other business owners to build his client base. The store is a one-stop shop offering repair services as well as internet access, graphic design and other technical services.  To keep up with growing demand for his services, George has hired contract employees to assist with repairs and staff the store. To keep your computers running smoothly, contact George at www.ujamaacom.net.