The winner of the Latina SmallBiz Expo Pitch Competition takes $1000 Cash Prize

The Latina SmallBiz Expo Pitch Competition winner last night took the Grand Prize of $1000 in cash. Princess Plie and Friends was chosen among 11 Guerreras (warriors) who participated at the Pitch your Business to the Media Competition last night at the Campus Center Atrium in NJIT, Newark NJ. Second place was a tie between Villakuyaya Emeralds from Ecuador, a company that imports and sells gourmet organic chocolate fused with teas and other non-traditional ingredients, and Around The Way Girl Inc., a national organization based in Washington DC that supports girls of color.

The winner receives:

• A $1000 cash prize from LatinasinBusiness.us
• The opportunity to win an additional $1000 and great service when she opens a business account with Bank of America
• A Magnum Bottle of Champagne courtesy of our Supporter Moet&Chandon
• A ticket to attend next Friday Red Shoe Movement signature event in NYC –a value of $119
• Special promotions donated by our sponsors and supporters
• The opportunity to be featured and interviewed at all present media

“I have a special place in my heart for Latina entrepreneurs,” said Susana G Baumann, founder and Editor-in-Chief, LatinasinBusiness.us and the organizer of the event. “Entrepreneurship is an amazing ride, and the ups and downs are totally worth the journey. So I want to tell MIS GUERRERAS and all of you starting and building your businesses to find and cherish your vision; learn who you are –your unique story, your personal brand– your aspirations and your purpose; then make a habit of letting the world know who you are! Become an expert at telling your story! And always keep that fire inside you growing every day! Persist, persist and persist,” she shared.

A tie in second place winners belonged to Sol Berrios (L) , Board Member of ATWGirl Inc. and Tania Molina (R) founder of Villakuyaya

“Entrepreneurship is not an easy road and Latina entrepreneurs find many obstacles. But as I said in the beginning, you don’t have to do it alone. There are hundreds of Latina leaders and organizations willing to help you on your journey,” Baumann said. “We were very fortunate to have some of these Latina leaders last night with us to support our work. We are very grateful to them! Women need to support each other as men do,” Baumann said.

Among the Latina leaders present at the event were the fantastic networker, public speaker, and contestant that came all the way from TEXAS, Ivette Mayo, founder of Power on Heels Network and Yo Soy Expressions. Texas was in the house!

Minue Yoshida and Yai Vargas, Latina leaders present at the Pitch Competition

Other Latina leaders that gathered to support the event were Yai Vargas, leader of The Latinista, an organization that gathers thousands of women around the country; Minue Yoshida, who prepared some of the contestants for the Pitch Competition; and Carolina Robles, -co-founder of WeLIFT. “These leaders are building community around them and helping others rise with them. These powerful Latinas deserve our recognition and support.” Baumann said.

Present at the spectacular night counted were 46 exhibitors that provided great support to the participants. It was a night of making connections and finding resources for Latina entrepreneurs. LatinasinBusiness.us donated $2000 from General Admissions tickets to the Latino Networks Coalition to be destined to Puerto Rico and Mexico Disaster Relief.

“Several people are asking already when is the next one, and some sponsors have already committed their support for next year. We are thrilled that our dreams have come true. It happened, it did happen!” Susana concluded..