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Local Gelato Company Wins The New Jersey Small Business Development Center Success Award
The NJSBDC marked Its 30th Anniversary & Honored 13 Small Business Owners with it Small Business Growth Success Award
Long Branch, NJ (December 5, 2008) Local entrepreneurs Marcia and Tom Blackwell and their company Blackwell’s Organic Gelato were among 13 companies honored with the NJ Small Business Development Center’s “Success Award” at a luncheon held on December 5 at Forsgate Country Club. “The Monmouth Ocean SBDC located at Brookdale Community College provided us with the initial encouragement and start-up advice needed for beginning our business, said Marcia Blackwell. “They really should be sharing this award with us.”
“When an entrepreneur approaches me for advice, I always recommend they contact their local SBDC before getting started.”
The annual Success Awards seek to honor the merits of diverse small business leaders across the State.
“Recognizing the growth stories of our small business clients is rewarding, not only to the clients who have success stories, but is testimony to the comprehensive services and expertise of the NJSBDC network in guiding small businesses' development and growth," says Brenda Hopper, NJSBDC State Director.
Each year, the 11 centers of the network that serve different regions of the state nominate their best candidates for awards indicating their business growth accomplishments, and how the individual NJSBDC center specifically helped them achieve their success. "Even in this declining economic environment, our business experts and consultants around the state offer a complete guide and set of tools for businesses to overcome obstacles and barriers,” says Hopper. “These guiding posts inevitably help sustain businesses even in difficult economic times."
Featured speaker was Joel L. Naroff, President and Founder of Naroff Economic Advisors, a strategic economic consulting firm. He advises companies across the country on the risks and opportunities that economic developments may have on the organization’s operating environment. On a consulting basis, Naroff serves as Chief Economist for T.D. Commerce Bank in Cherry Hill. He was recently named the nation’s top economist by Bloomberg News and focused his remarks by answering the question: “Can small businesses drive New Jersey’s economy out of the current recession?”
Winners Represent a Variety of Industries:
Marcia Blackwell, Blackwell’s Organic LLC, Long Branch:
Blackwell’s Organic is NJ’s first and only certified organic, dairy-free gelato and fruit sorbetto manufacturer. The company - headquartered in Red Bank – was started by Marcia and Tom Blackwell in 2005. Blackwell’s Organic is dedicated to using ingredients that come from farmers and suppliers devoted to sustainable agriculture, resource conservation, and Fair Trade. In fact their company has the only frozen dessert line with FairTrade certified ingredients in every flavor.
In the June issue of New Jersey Life Magazine, the editors said “New Jersey-based Blackwell’s Organic creates soy gelato and fruit sorbetto made from the finest organic ingredients that you will not be able to resist. Rather than rely on sugary toppings and wacky combos, quality and depth of flavor reign in Blackwell’s 100% vegan and cholesterol-free treats.”
The classic, healthful frozen desserts are handmade in the Italian tradition, using the highest quality certified organic ingredients including Fair Trade Certified™ cocoa, chocolate, coffee and evaporated cane juice. Blackwell’s Organic is distributed in NY, NJ, PA and CT. To learn more about Blackwell’s Organic, their products and upcoming events, please visit: www.blackwellsorganic.com and www.gelatobymail.com
Stephen Freije, Green Planet Products LLC, Medford:
The company sells “green,” environmentally-friendly products to an array of local clients, such as the Port Authority of NY & NJ, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, Novartis Pharmaceutical, the Delaware River Port Authority, and The City of East Orange.
Joseph Zhili Huang, PhD., Founder & President, MicroDysis, Inc., Bordentown:
The Company manufactures chemical, biomedical and environmental devices and equipment.
Gary Weiss, Max Borin & Alex Nedospassov, Broadway Food Palace, Fair Lawn:
A specialty gourmet food establishment provides a rich offering of Eastern Europe, Russia, and that region’s foods at modest prices. This establishment features glass counters that display desserts, cured meats, smoked fish and much more.
Ani Riggs, Creative Cottage, Caldwell:
This arts and crafts school for children and adults features summer camp programs, monthly seminars, children’s birthday parties and more; it’s all about learning in a fun way.
Dominick DeSantis, DeSantis Construction, Somerset:
Started in 1996 as a one-man paving and excavation business, the company has grown with the help of the NJSBDC over the year to include large development projects. They expect to top the $2 million mark in 2008.
Ruby Wesley, A Taste Of Rubies, www.atasteofrubies.com:
Ruby Wesley describes her New Brunswick-based business as “pleasantly addictive gourmet cheesecakes,” made from a long-held family recipe. Her cheesecakes are currently available online, and in retail stores in Cranford, Cranbury, New Brunswick and Asbury Park.
Jerold Lyons, President & CEO, iFortress, West Paterson:
This past June the company entered the global marketplace by introducing three new structural security™ products aimed at protecting the nation’s technology infrastructure from potential terrorist attacks and natural disasters.
Linda Diekmann, Neil Herbst, Michael Kennedy, Premier Prizm Solutions, Marlton:
The Company provides Medical Claims Management solutions to the nation’s top insurance carriers, helping manage injury, liability and workers compensation claims. As a result of a recent 2007 merger, the company has experienced growth that is nothing short of phenomenal.
Sheila Bermel, President, Good To Go Productions, Inc., Flanders:
In 2007 Sheila Bermel put 23 years of experience in the trade show and event marketing field to good use. Good To Go Productions, a three-dimensional marketing services firm focused on fabrication, production and related services for the trade show industry and face-to-face consumer events, expects to end 2008 with just over $1 million in gross sales.
Mary Downs, Innovative Energy Conservation LLC, Westfield:
Launched in January 2007, Innovative Energy Conservation is a company that performs engineering design for energy-efficient lighting and installation. Since then the company has doubled its employees (from five to 10), and is poised to reach $1 million in sales by year-end 2008.
Frank Pantoja, Margarita Pantoja & Miguel Sardinas, The E Spot, Jersey City:
This virtual entertainment center offers customers the opportunity to do Internet browsing, and play x-box and computer games. Patrons can also enter virtual reality competitions and host pizza parties.
Jeffrey Kuter, The TrickZone, Mays Landing & Atlantic City:
These retail magic stores feature Jeffrey Kuter as the “Magic Man.” The company hosts birthday parties and other special events.
About NJSBDC NJSBDC
Media Contact: Deborah SmarthOffice: 973-353-1927E-mail: dsmarth@njsbdc.com
The NJSBDC network (www.njsbdc.com), comprised of 11 centers across the state, is the premier provider of comprehensive services and programs for small business in New Jersey, helping businesses expand their operations, manage their growth or start new ventures. Expert staff and practicing business consultants help established small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs develop business plans, find financing, identify new markets and expand their operations. This non-profit network is a federal-state-educational partnership, which maximizes resources for the small business community.
Links to related articles about the SBDC award
" Local Entrepreneurs receive state award - The SBDC honors 13 small business owners" Link to article in Atlanticville online news for Eatontown * Long Branch * Monmouth Beach * Ocean Township * West Long Branch
Blackwell's Organic, LLC
© 2007-2010 Blackwell's Organic, LLC No reproduction, in whole or part, without written permission.
Site maintained by WSI - Photo by Michael S. Miller Photography | Terms and Conditions
© 2007-2010 Blackwell's Organic, LLC No reproduction, in whole or part, without written permission.
Site maintained by WSI - Photo by Michael S. Miller Photography | Terms and Conditions
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