Palmetto Goodwill awards $60K to local businesses
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Five Lowcountry business owners were awarded thousands of dollars last Friday after a 'Shark Tank'- inspired showcase hosted by Palmetto Goodwill.
Five small business owners who were the top graduates of Palmetto Goodwill's Microenterprise Accelerator Program (MAP) delivered their business pitches in front of three-panel judges hoping to win investment funding.
The three-panel judges were Herbert Drayton III, who is a managing partner at HI Mark Capital and former Palmetto Goodwill board chair; Michelle Woodhull, president at Charming Inns of Charleston and Palmetto Goodwill board member; and Jackie Berger, executive director at Lowcountry Local First.
The top finalist was NeighborCuts Landscaping, run by Odius Bonneau. Bonneau was the first person in his family to attend college and become a homeowner. NeighborCuts is a community-driven company helping others meet their lawn goals.
Bonneau plans to use the $25,000 from Palmetto Goodwill to purchase equipment and hire additional staff.
Second place went to The Art Couple Parties & Events LLC, which is owned by Rostina Mincey, Palmetto Goodwill team member, and husband Eugene Hardin. The Art Couple does at-home paint parties, allowing anyone to experience the fun of painting.
The owners plan to use the $15,000 to enhance paint party experiences by adding new elements like a photo booth.
Sensational Spirits, owned by Kadeem Elmore, came in third. The premium mobile bar and beverage company services the tri-county area. The $10,000 awarded will go towards growing the Sensational Spirits brand and training new mixologists.
Indie video game development studio Sunset Studios, owned by Rodney Clay, is dedicated to creating immersive, story-driven games. The $5,000 will help fund the studio's first developed game, Escape Mars. The game is currently set to launch in Fall 2026.
Paula Jenkins Home Inspections, owned by namesake Paula Jenkins, also received a $5,000 investment. Paula provides thorough inspections for buyers, sellers, investors, and homeowners. She plans to use her funding to market and grow her business.
The MAP program will be offered once again to team members, their families, and MAP program participants.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Local startup looking for kids to test new product
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – The winner of the Youngstown Business Incubator's Shark Tank competition last year is looking for families to test its new product. Read next: New retail theft task force makes first arrest in Ohio Little Tusk is a financial literacy edtech startup dedicated to teaching children in kindergarten through eighth grade about financial responsibility in a fun and engaging way, according to a news release from YBI. It is the brainchild of Jordan and Lauran Woolley, of Austintown. The company is now looking for local children ages 8 to 12 to participate in a user testing experience designed to gather feedback and shape the future of the project. 'We're excited to take this next step in bringing Little Tusk to life,' said Lauran Woolley,founder of Little Tusk. 'Participation and feedback are vital to our success, and we can'twait to showcase what we've been working on.' Parents and guardians who are interested in the opportunity can sign their children up for consideration beginning Friday, June 13, online here. The testing takes place at YBI, at 252 W. Boardman Street in Youngstown, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 12. There will be various sessions, and selected participants will be contacted with more details. There will be prize packs for kids and Dunkin' Donuts gift cards for their accompanying adults as a thank-you for their time and insights. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Miami Herald
12 hours ago
- Miami Herald
China EV company ignites surprising jobs controversy in U.S.
Jim Chapman, newly appointed township supervisor of Green Charter Township in Western Michigan, quickly realized that his responsibilities extended beyond simple governance. His town, a small rural community, had faced economic decline for decades. Many young residents left searching for better opportunities, leaving behind an aging population with limited prospects. But in the summer of 2022, Chapman learned of a potential game-changing investment - a major international electric vehicle battery manufacturer planned to build a factory in town. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter With a price tag of $2.4 billion and the promise of more than 2,000 well-paying jobs, Chapman saw the project as the kind of economic revival the town desperately needed. Related: Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary makes bold prediction on U.S. economy As plans advanced, Chapman discovered that the company behind the factory was Gotion, an American subsidiary of a Chinese electric vehicle battery manufacturer. The company had grown rapidly, benefiting from China's push into the EV market and strategic expansions into the U.S. By 2023, Chapman had facilitated infrastructure improvements, and Gotion secured state subsidies to make the project viable. Initially, he believed concerns about the company's origins were secondary to the economic benefits. He remained committed to bringing manufacturing back to the U.S., seeing it as aligned with broader American economic goals. Opposition emerged when residents learned of the plan through grassroots efforts. Local realtor Lori Brock received an anonymous warning, prompting her and many others to attend township meetings. Crowds packed the venue, and for four hours, townspeople vented their frustration, accusing officials of pushing the project without transparency. Environmental concerns dominated the discourse - citizens worried about water consumption and potential contamination risks. Skeptical of Gotion's assurances, the community feared the factory would permanently alter their way of life. "I listened to four hours of straight public comment ridiculing him (Chapman), just screaming at the whole board, telling them how unethical they were and horrible people and how they were a disgrace," Brock told NPR in an intriguing, lengthy Planet Money report. "I mean, four hours of it, just irate people." More on the U.S. economy: Dave Ramsey sounds alarm for Americans on Social SecurityScott Galloway warns Americans on 401(k), US economy threatShark Tank's Kevin O'Leary has message on Social Security, 401(k)s Residents also questioned whether the promised jobs would resemble the union positions that once defined Michigan's automotive industry. They doubted whether local workers would truly benefit from the factory's presence. As debates intensified, Chapman's vision of economic renewal transformed into a political battleground. What seemingly began as a hopeful opportunity to restore prosperity to Green Charter Township became an emblem of the tensions between globalization and small-town values, exposing deeper concerns about the industries communities want shaping their futures. Related: Dave Ramsey sends strong statement on Costco A major issue in the heated debate was Gotion's connection to China. Many residents saw China as a geopolitical adversary and questioned why the U.S. should subsidize a Chinese-owned company. The feared that Gotion could be a Trojan horse for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) fueled outrage, with concerns about potential infiltration of a local cybersecurity program. Gotion's articles of incorporation in China contained standard party activity agreements, but company representatives insisted its U.S. operations were independent. Opponents, known as the No Go movement, accused Chapman and his board of corruption, NPR reported. As tensions mounted, the No Go movement coalesced around a strategy - recalling Chapman and his board members from office. By the fall of 2023, their efforts materialized into a recall election, aiming to take control of the local government and stop the factory's construction. Their campaign was highly organized, featuring door-to-door canvassing, phone banking, and even political advertisements. With support from prominent Republican politicians, No Go activists gained traction. In early 2024, Green Charter Township held its recall vote, resulting in Chapman and his entire board being ousted. The newly elected No Go politicians swiftly moved to block the factory. In response, Gotion sued the township, leaving the project in limbo. Chapman still hopes the plant will open and believes the factory would bring much-needed economic growth, according to NPR, while Brock maintains that manufacturing belongs in the U.S. - just not this factory in this town. Related: Scott Galloway sends bold statement on Social Security, US economy The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Entrepreneur
12 hours ago
- Entrepreneur
Crafting Men's Confidence
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. What began as an ambition to offer Indian customers the same high-quality fashion that was being manufactured for global giants like Zara, Mango, and Marks & Spencer has today evolved into a profitable, Shark Tank-backed D2C menswear brand. The Bear House, co-founded by Harsh Somaiya, was born out of a belief that Indian consumers deserved better design, fit, and fabric—online. "We thought if an Indian factory can design and manufacture for global brands, why shouldn't Indian customers experience the same premium products and quality? At that time, there was a common perception that good quality products weren't available online. So we decided to change that narrative," said Somaiya. Built on the pillars of great design, fit, and affordability, The Bear House chose a D2C-first approach to maintain control over the entire customer experience. "That means no middlemen, no dilution of brand story," Somaiya explained. "This helped us build loyalty and get instant feedback, which shaped everything from fabric choices to fits." The brand's breakout success was its innovative take on flannel shirts—traditionally warm and heavy—which they re-engineered using lightweight 100% cotton to suit India's climate. "Our flannels have been a bestseller since day one and still contribute to 40% of our shirts revenue," shared Somaiya. With 85% of its sales coming from marketplaces like Myntra, Amazon, and Flipkart, the brand has built a strong digital footprint across over 20,000 pincodes and has a loyal customer base of 20 lakh. It has also stepped into offline retail with stores in Bengaluru and Hyderabad, and is eyeing 10–15 more stores by FY 2025–26. Quick commerce, though a non-traditional fit for fashion, is another frontier the brand is testing. "We've made select collections available on Zepto as a strategic experiment and are noticing good results," said Somaiya. "We're confident that quick commerce fashion will be essential going forward." Internationally, The Bear House has begun its foray into the Middle East and is exploring further global expansion. Closer home, tech-enabled personalisation and new lifestyle categories are on the roadmap. "From bootstrapping to now building a brand with depth, it's been incredibly fulfilling," reflected Somaiya. "At the heart of it, we believe today's men don't just want clothes—they want brands with soul." Facts:
