W O M E N ’ S B U S I N E S S R E S O U R C E & E N T R E P R E N E U R S H I P C E N T E R

The Urban League of Greater New Orleans & The Idea VillageWomen-In-Business Challenge

Meet The Women-In-Business Challenge Participants:

The Women-in-Business Challenge is the inaugural program of the Urban IDEACenter, an entrepreneurial hub located in the Upper 9th Ward, launched by the Urban League of Greater New Orleans and The Idea Village. The Women-In-Business initiative focused on providing direct resources to support new business growth by female owners in New Orleans. Both the Urban League and The Idea Village have solid track records in providing entrepreneurial resources, business coaching, mentorship, networking opportunities, and facilitating access to capital for local entrepreneurs.

On October 14, 2012, ten female entrepreneurs were selected from a host of applicants to participate in the Women-In-Business Challenge, which in-volved a six week pre-accelerator business training program, including exten-sive consulting services. The 2nd phase of the challenge involved five finalists moving forward in an advanced program that included mentorship opportu-nities with skilled entrepreneurs that provided assistance with development of business models and strategic planning for the ventures as well as coaching for their pitch presentations during New Orleans Entrepreneurs Week.

Nicole Balthazar (DyverseCity, LLC)Ashley Despanza (PlanNOLA, LLC – GotPlanz?)

Keala Hughes (Key Models & Talent Agency, LLC)Velma Lewis, Ph.D (Sweet Rising Nursing Tutorial & Consulting Services,

LLC)Lisa McKenzie (Because I Am Enterprises, LLC – Ooh La Bra!)

Cynthia DeBiase (Sugar Cane Emporium, LLC)Stacy LaFleur (LaFleur Art & Design)

Bridgeja Baker (Creative Jewelry by Bridgeja, LLC)Carmen Jackson (Harper Hill Enterprises, LLC)

Brigitte Kellar (Clin Foci, LLC)

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Women-In-Business Challenge Pitch Finalists

Nicole Balthazar DyverseCity, LLC

Ashley Despanza PlanNola, LLC, GotPlanz

Nicole Balthazar DyverseCity, LLC

After unsuccessfully searching for an affordable space to start a cultural arts program, Nicole Balthazar commenced DyverseCity, LLC, a neighborhood entre-preneurial mall in the Broadmoor Arts

Gotplanz is a Social Planning service that allows users to fi nd, create and share their plans by consolidating all of the niche websites into one easy to use

District. A once-blighted warehouse now houses creative entrepreneurs with a focus on art and culture. DyverseCity accommodates product-based, creative, and service oriented businesses needing fl exible, but affordable business space that is customized to their specifi c needs. The organization is vested in community development and environmental preservation. DyverseCity’s expansion goals are to develop more dilapidated commercial properties in distressed neighborhoods, encouraging more entrepreneurs and breathing life back into these communities.

entertainment portal. Unlike any other, gotplanz addresses the logistics of planning your day. Not only do we detail what’s going on, gotplanz provides an additional layer to the planning process, taking into account mapping, traffi c, road construction, closings, sell-outs, crowd types and sizes, etc. With literally thousands of entertainment options, trying to keep track of all an area has to offer can be a daunting task for even the most social person. Gotplanz’s mission is to transform planning through technology, to provide an all inclusive entertainment portal and deliver a premier Social Planning experience allowing users to focus on having fun.

Our slogan says it all “Work hard, play harder!” Our vision is to be the premier Social Planning service providing the most comprehensive, dynamic and user-friendly entertainment experience.

Gotplanz is a Social Planning service that

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W O M E N ’ S B U S I N E S S R E S O U R C E & E N T R E P R E N E U R S H I P C E N T E R

Velma Lewis, Ph.D, Sweet Rising Nursing Tutorial, LLC

Lisa McKenzie, Because I AM Enterprises, LLC, Ooh La Bra!

Keala Hughes, Key Models & Talent Agency, LLC

Sweet Rising Nursing Tutorial & Consult-ing Services, LLC is a New Orleans-based company established to help disadvan-taged students succeed in nursing school programs. The company provides

strategic instruction to ensure their ability to pass licensing, national certifi ca-tion and required examinations. Velma M. Lewis (founder) earned a Ph.D. in Urban Higher Education at Jackson State University, and a Master’s degree in Nursing at the University of Southern Mississippi. Dr. Lewis spent more than 30 years teaching in baccalaureate degree nursing programs and practicing in major medical facilities, prior to establishing Sweet Rising Nursing Tutorial and Consulting Services.

Fulfi ling a need that many women have when it comes to buying outfi ts where a bra is desired, but an unsightly bra strap is not, Ooh La Bra! Owner Lisa McKenzie created a full line of decorative

interchangeable bra straps that are both fashionable and functional, providing the support women need and the fashion statement they want to make. The Ooh La Bra! product line includes designer bra straps, cami shapers, strapless bras and wrinkle remover pads for the décolletage area. Ooh La Bra! straps are beautiful, comfortable and practical, and come in over 65 styles! Custom creations are available for dance troupes, sports teams, colleges, etc. Our slogan is true; “Once you try these, you’ll be hooked!”

Keala Hughes started Key Models & Tal-ent Agency, LLC more than 12 years ago. The agency provides professional models to assist in marketing and promotion of new products and large productions.

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The Key Models Agency provides services in diverse industries, representing a variety of products, as well as high level events. Key Models have been fea-tured at major outdoor events like the Louisiana Jazz and Heritage and New Orleans French Quarter festivals. The Agency participates annually in the Essence Festival, as well as many conventions, trade shows, sporting events and many locally produced films. Branding represented have included Remy Martin Cognac and Coors Beer and locally produced Bissap Breeze. The Agency provides services throughout the state of Louisiana and plans to expand into neighboring states

Women-In-Business Challenge Program Participants

Cynthia DeBiase, Sugar Cane EmporiumThe Sugar Cane Emporium bakery uses vintage recipes that reflect the history of Louisiana and New Orleans. Cynthia DeBiase turned her love of baking and her appreciation for the natural resources of Louisiana agriculture into a profitable business model. Cynthia’s first product, the NOMOTM Fleur de Lis cookie uses nutritious sugarcane products which are the theme and basis of the company. The NOMOTM product, a delicious, soft gingerbread cookie made with Steen’s molasses and whole wheat flour is packaged and sold wholesale to French Market vendors, local coffee shops and convenience stores.

Bridgeja Baker, Creative Jewelry by Bridgeja14-year old Bridgeja’ Baker started Creative Jewelry by Bridgeja at the tender age of 10. Miss Baker designs the female-inspired pieces, each of which is hand-crafted by this talented teen. The custom designs of Bridgeja’s jewelry and accessories are influenced by the international cultures and elements of Africa, India and Brazil. Creative Jewelry by Bridgeja has been featured at national and local conventions and festivals. Bridgeja Baker was selected as one of Black Enterprise Magazine’s best youth-owned businesses.

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Clin-Foci, LLC is a contract research organization (CRO), with three dif-ferent areas of focus: 1) the management of pharmaceutical, medical device and biotechnology clinical trials; 2) services to physicians inter-ested in participating in clinical trials who may not have adequate staff or funding to assist with patient recruitment and study management; 3) supporting clinical trials outreach and educational activities, by educat-ing patients in the community regarding the importance of participating in clinical trials and also informing them of clinical trial options available to them.

Harper Hill Enterprises is a start-up venture specializing in behavioral based safety in accordance with industrial occupational safety and health. The company provides strategic consulting to industrial corpora-tions with a desire to deliver the highest standards of OSHA safety and health requirements. Harper Hill Enterprises will administer comprehensive training to industrial employees ensuring the corporations meet and/or exceed OSHA compliance. The organization will target offshore drilling platforms, construction and industrial companies, the allied health field, industrial research and development firms and medical centers.

Women-In-Business Challenge Program Participants

Brigitte Kellar, Clin-Foci.

Carmen Jackson, Harper Hill Enterprises

Stacy LaFleur, LaFleur ART & DesignLaFleur’s Art and Soul StudioTM produces an interactive tool for creative exploration through the medium of paint. Through its ARTasHealing.US project, the company seeks to bridge a gap between art, medicine and wellness with a creative, interactive art kit that serves as a therapeutic modality for patients and caregivers while they sit and wait and are under-going medical treatments, such as dialysis and chemotherapy. Fear and boredom experienced during the procedures, are replaced with content-ment, joy and a sense of empowerment. The products are marketed to cancer, dialysis and other medical centers. ArtasHealing.US stands to be the leader in creative healing through the production of instructional videos, studio supply sets and workstations.

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To learn more about the Women-In-Business Challenge and/or any programs of the Women’s Business Resource & Entrepreneurship Center, please visit

www.urbanleagueneworleans.org or www.neworleansec.com To learn more about The Idea Village and its programming, please visit

www.ideavillage.org.

The Urban League of Greater New Orleans would like to thank our partner in The Women-In-Business Challenge, The Idea Village for helping to make this program a success. We sincerely thank and congratulate our outstanding staff at The Women’s Business Resource & Entrepreneurship Center for putting together this exceptional program, showcasing the power and impact of women business owners.

We would like to thank the top-notch local professionals who brought a wealth of education and experience to the participants. The legal expertise volunteered by attorneys Mia Grandpre and Laura Ashley of Jones Walker and Michelle Craig of Adams & Reese gave the Women-In-Business participants access to substantial and very useful legal advice. We would also like to thank two area professors, who offered brilliant instruction necessary to understand sophisticated business financing. Bora Ozkan, Economics instructor at The University of New Orleans, explained pricing and profitability while Dillard University accounting professor and certified public accountant, Kemberly Washington, enlightened the group on finances and tax implications. The ubiquitous and multi-talented WDSU news anchor Camille Whitworth shared her personal entrepreneurial experience as well as her knowledge and lively insight on marketing and media relations.

Last, but not least, we are honored to have worked with the ten phenomenal women who participated in the Women-In-Business Challenge program. We thank them for their incredible work ethic, passion, and perseverance. Best wishes to you all as you move forward to the bright futures awaiting you.