Company: The Plug

Benjamin Stovall, a proud U.S. Marine Corps veteran, moved from rural Oklahoma to New York City over 25 years ago. His wife, Abigail, was born and raised in Washington Heights, where they now run their small family coffee shop, The Plug.

The Plug was built to reflect the spirit of Washington Heights: a place where neighbors, hospital staff, teachers, artists, and families can find moments of connection over great coffee. They roast their beans with care, partner with local artisans, and showcase work by neighborhood artists whose work deserves to be seen and celebrated.

Benjamin and Abigail believe that small businesses have a responsibility to lift up the communities that support them. They give back whenever they can by donating coffee to local schools, helping community bookstores, or simply offering kindness and a smile. The Plug is a dream realized, a family business built on love and service, and a reminder that when people care about each other, even a little shop on 167th Street can make a big difference.

Their motto is, “The Plug Cares,” because they truly do. The Plug is a way of honoring the neighborhood that raised them and the city that welcomed them home.

Company: remMD

Dr. Susan Herson is a board-certified internist, Navy veteran, and founder of remMD. With over 25 years in Internal Medicine, Susan has led disaster relief missions, taught future physicians, and served as Chief of Staff for the VA, overseeing 75+ providers while delivering direct care across clinics, homes, and nursing facilities. 

Susan founded remMD to offer Glow Guide, the gift of enhanced mobility. remMD is a physician, female, and veteran-owned business offering innovative mobility solutions designed to enhance safety and independence. Glow Guide is the easy-to-use safety accessory for canes that glows in the dark and then lights paths automatically. Perfect for travel & nighttime navigation, Glow Guide provides instant illumination and an Apple Locator Tag to find canes. Glow Guide is peace of mind for her family and yours.

Susan’s mission is to design inclusive, human-centered technologies that restore safety, dignity, and independence. Glow Guide, a motion-activated smart light for mobility aids, began as a solution for Susan’s father with dementia. Today, it’s a versatile safety companion for seniors, parents, pet owners, and adventurers alike. Susan believes that innovation should be empathetic. That inclusion is vital. That safety is personal. And that every step forward should be illuminated — literally and figuratively.

Company: The Z Kit

Zeshaun (Z) is a former U.S. Army Paratrooper, Certified Athletic Trainer, and Corrective Exercise Specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. For over a decade, Z has worked with elite basketball players, coaches, and trainers in the NBA and around the world, helping them recover faster and perform better. Z’s career in both sports medicine and the military taught him one thing: whether you’re an athlete, a soldier, or just someone who loves to move...injury prevention and recovery are everything to living a fulfilled life.

The Z KIT was born from a simple problem he saw every day in his profession and abroad: there was no easy, portable way to keep workout and recovery tools organized while traveling or training on the go. So Z designed a lightweight, compact training kit with 15 essential tools that make professional-level rehab and performance training accessible anywhere. Z’s mission is to help people move better, hurt less, and stay active longer in any setting...athletes, veterans, or anyone striving to stay strong and continue doing what they love to do.

Company: J. Landress Brass, LLC

Josh Landress is a master brass technician and owner of J. Landress Brass. A disabled Marine Corps Veteran, he was medically separated after an injury while serving as a French horn player with the 1st Marine Division Band. After leading a national repair department, he founded J. Landress Brass in 2012. What began as a small midtown workshop has evolved into a 6,000-square-foot facility employing 11 people, many of whom were trained under his mentorship.

J. Landress Brassis is New York City’s last dedicated brass instrument shop and a nationally recognized leader in brass retail, repair, and preservation. It has become a cornerstone for musicians, educators, and collectors. Combining world-class craftsmanship with a community-centered approach, the shop offers expert repairs, restorations, and access to rare and historic instruments—serving as both a high-end technical facility and a cultural anchor for brass music.

A strong advocate for small business, Josh has represented New York entrepreneurs in Washington, D.C., while continuing to preserve traditional techniques and support musicians locally and abroad. Through mentorship, innovation, and community service, he upholds a lifelong mission to sustain the art of brass repair and enrich the global music community.

Company: The Armored League, Inc.

Damion DiGrazia is a U.S. Air Force veteran, Columbia University and Harvard University graduate, and the founder of multiple veteran-led organizations. After serving in the military and later working on Wall Street, Damion dedicated his life to creating opportunities for others through technology and the arts. 

The Armored League (TAL), a groundbreaking sports entertainment company, reimagines medieval combat as a modern, full-contact, 1v1 and team-based sport. Fighters in authentic armor compete in structured, safe, and thrilling live tournaments that blend the intensity of MMA with the pageantry of history. Our mission is to build the world’s first professional armored combat league—complete with live events, streaming partnerships, and community training programs—originating in New York City. TAL events attract diverse audiences by combining combat, music, and nightlife culture, creating a unique fusion of sport and spectacle. Beyond entertainment, TAL partners with nonprofits like Santa’s Knights/Gladiators NYC, also founded by Damion, to offer free training programs, turning medieval sport into a modern force for inclusion, empowerment, and entrepreneurship.

Damion is driven by a belief that the same warrior spirit that serves our country can uplift our neighborhoods - and that entrepreneurship can be both profitable and purpose-driven.

Company: Ar Razzaq Supermart Inc.

Maliha and Anica Jeba are U.S. Army Second Lieutenants, proud entrepreneurs, and twin sisters! They earned their MBAs in Strategic Management from St. John’s University and hold Bachelor’s degrees in Business Management from Stony Brook University. As veteran-owned entrepreneurs, they bring a sense of structure, dedication, and teamwork to their operations, ensuring that every customer experience reflects the same values they upheld in uniform: discipline, integrity, and service to others.

Together, they founded Ar Razzaq Supermart in Jackson Heights–a reflection of their shared vision to serve their community through discipline, integrity, and purpose. Ar Razzaq Supermart is a community-based grocery store, dedicated to providing high-quality halal, organic, and international products to meet the needs of one of the city’s most diverse neighborhoods. Their mission is to make healthy and culturally familiar food accessible and affordable for everyone, while supporting local farmers, small suppliers, and minority-owned brands. From fresh produce, meats, and seafood to spices, snacks, and daily essentials, we aim to bring together quality, variety, and convenience under one roof.

Maliha and Anica hope to inspire other veterans and young women to lead with confidence, serve with dedication, and turn their visions into lasting change.

Company: Thriftier USA

Ashley Bolling is the Founder and CEO of Thriftier USA, a textile reverse logistics company redefining urban waste management through clothing reclamation and consumer convenience. Drawing from her background in military postal operations, she developed a systems-driven approach to supply chain management and asset accountability that now informs Thriftier’s data-led recycling infrastructure.

Following her previous military service, Ashley spent over seven years operating brick-and-mortar clothing retail ventures, gaining firsthand insight into consumer behavior, brand perception, and the psychological drivers of purchase and disposal. This experience laid the foundation for Thriftier’s consumer-centered innovation model — merging sustainability with lifestyle utility to make responsible disposal as effortless as online shopping.

Under her leadership, Thriftier USA is building a national network for textile collection and material traceability, helping cities, brands, and consumers close the loop on clothing waste. The company's work bridges sustainability, logistics, and behavioral economics, positioning Thriftier as both a circular economy enabler and a scalable data intelligence platform for fashion and waste recovery.

Ashley's mission is simple yet transformative: to make decluttering and recycling not only responsible, but rewarding — restoring clarity, space, and purpose in people’s lives while advancing a cleaner future for cities.

Company: SempeRide

Fredy Tello is a native of Howard Beach, Queens, a disabled veteran, and retired Gunnery Sergeant who served proudly and honorably in the United States Marine Corps for 23 years. Fredy holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from the University of Phoenix, completed while serving in the military. The leadership, high ethos, and unique skills learned while serving in uniform propelled and inspired Fredy in the civilian sector as an entrepreneur to continue providing the community with the finest transportation options in the NYC area. At the same time, Fredy helps other veterans transition by providing employment opportunities as professional drivers and independent owner/operators in the For-Hire-Vehicle industry.

Fredy’s service and own experience at the local VA hospital made him realize the huge need to provide better and more versatile transportation options to disabled veterans. The vision for SempeRide was born in 2013.

SempeRide provides countless services, including: wheelchair accessible transportation, both scheduled or on demand within the NYC and Tri-State area, group transportation services, non-emergency medical transportation for vulnerable populations, and more. SempeRide is a NYS Certified Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business and U.S. DOT/MTA Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certified.

Company: American Grill Inc.

Hector Cruz is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and the founder of American Grill Inc., a fast-growing hospitality and catering company based in New York. With over a decade of leadership and hands-on culinary experience, he has built a brand known for world-class food, flawless service, and community impact. Under his direction, American Grill operates multiple venues across Orange County, including Stony Ford and Hickory Hill Golf Course, and proudly serves both public and private sectors—from local families to government agencies like FEMA, NYPD, and the U.S. Army National Guard.

Driven by discipline, creativity, and a passion for excellence, Hector blends his military precision with entrepreneurial vision to deliver exceptional dining experiences and scalable food service operations. His mission is simple: to feed people with purpose and to grow American Grill into one of New York’s premier veteran-owned culinary enterprises.

Beyond serving meals, American Grill builds community—offering culinary employment opportunities for veterans, supporting local events, and promoting excellence in food service management. Their mission is simple: serve great food with purpose, precision, and pride.

Company: Bushwick Comedy Club

Jad Sleiman is a Marine Corps veteran and former war correspondent. He's embedded with US forces and their allies in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Ukraine, and throughout Africa. As a comedian, he's featured at the Limestone Comedy Festival and on the RISK! Podcast live show. His comedy reaches about 2 million monthly viewers across Instagram and Reddit.

Bushwick Comedy Club is a 50-seat BYOB-friendly black box comedy club. They’re a New York comedy club that actually caters to New Yorkers instead of tourists. Their unique tape-based booking system means different, diverse shows every single weekend. It's earned the comedy club a high rate of repeat audience, about 30 percent of their customers become regulars.

Company: JUGGFAM

Demetrius Kent is the founder of Juggfam Management, an emerging artist management company focused on elevating authentic voices in R&B, hip hop, and pop music. Demetrius started Juggfam to provide structure, development, and real support for artists, especially those from underserved communities like mine. With a growing roster of diverse talent and a deep passion for both music and community impact, Demetrius is driven to build a platform that empowers creatives while also creating economic opportunities. Demetrius’ long-term vision includes expanding into sports management and youth development, ultimately bridging entertainment, entrepreneurship, and mentorship.

Juggfam is a music management company focused on artist growth, creative direction, and real support. We’re family–when one eats, we all eat. It’s about legacy, not just hype. 

Company: Teazert Tea

Teazert Tea is a Brooklyn-based, Black woman-owned tea company that transforms classic dessert flavors into indulgent, guilt-free tea blends. Founded by Khareen Georges, a Haitian immigrant and mother. Teazert specializes in loose-leaf teas made with clean, natural ingredients. Each blend is crafted to satisfy sweet cravings while supporting wellness, balance, and self-care.

We were honored to receive a City Council Citation from Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, which acknowledges our contributions to the local community. Additionally, we successfully completed the Brooklyn Entrepreneur Academy Award through the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, which has equipped us with valuable tools and connections to further grow our business. We were also proud to be featured on the New York Empire State Development website, which further validates our business’s impact and potential.

Company: Marian Beshara Styling

Marian Beshara founded Marian Beshara Styling to empower her community through fashion and beauty. Marian holds a BA in Economics and Art History from Cornell University, and her career began with an internship at Versace’s New York headquarters. After that, she spent several years assisting top stylists, working with high-end brands and publications. Despite the competitive nature of the fashion industry, Marian remains dedicated to her craft and community. 

Marian Beshara Styling provides personalized fashion styling services, helping clients refine their wardrobes, enhance their confidence, and express their identities through fashion. Marian’s clients range from professionals and artists to a diverse range of people seeking individualized styling services. Marian offers one-on-one styling consultations, wardrobe edits, shopping assistance, and collaborations with brands for creative direction. Additionally, she participates in editorial and commercial styling projects, lending her expertise to publications and fashion campaigns. Marian’s business also thrives through community engagement, collaborating with local artists and participating in events that celebrate fashion as a form of self-expression and empowerment.

Company: Curated Comforts by Sharene

Curated Comforts by Sharene is a subscription box designed to bring peace, intention, and warmth into your everyday life. Each month, you'll receive a thoughtfully chosen mix of lifestyle items that invite slow living and cozy rituals. From soothing teas and artisan-made goods to journaling tools and calming self-care essentials, every piece is handpicked to help women unwind, reconnect with themselves, and find meaning in the little moments. At its heart, Curated Comforts by Sharene is a monthly reminder to pause, breathe, and create space for comfort with our boxes.

Sharene Williams started this journey with a simple belief: luxe comfort is both personal and powerful. With a B.A. degree and over 12 years of experience as a licensed optician and manager, she’s always brought intention and care to the way she works. Today, she balances running her business with her family and caring for everyday responsibilities of life. Curated Comforts by Sharene is an extension of how she lives—full of heart, rooted in purpose, and always looking for ways to turn the ordinary into something meaningful. 

Company: Tresia’s Catering

Tresia’s Catering is a chef-owned business serving up Southern-rooted comfort food with bold, global flavors. Whether it’s a wedding, private dinner, corporate function, or a good ol’ backyard party, Tresia crafts unforgettable food experiences full of soul, flavor, and just the right amount of sass. Her seasonal menus are packed with marinated meats, vibrant veggie dishes, and flavor-loaded vegan options—all made with love, garlic, and zero shortcuts. The mission is simple: feed people well, ease their stress, and make every bite feel like home, no matter where you’re from.

Chef Tresia started cooking out of necessity (thanks to a mama who wasn’t exactly Betty Crocker) and honed her skills watching early Food Network like it was a religion. By 12, she was running the holiday kitchen solo. After years balancing a 9-to-5 with weekend gigs, she made it official—attending culinary school and stepping fully into her purpose. Since then, she’s sharpened her skills in corporate and restaurant kitchens, mastering everything from food costing to high-volume service. Now, through Tresia’s Catering, she brings people together with food that comforts, celebrates, and connects.

Company: PROJECTIVITIES

Javon Webb is a Brooklyn native from Red Hook with a deep-rooted passion for youth development, creativity, and community. As the youngest of eight siblings and the first in his family to attend college, Javon has always lived by the motto: “It’s not where you come from, it’s where you’re going.” Javon’s journey began on the basketball court, with dreams of going pro, but it was in high school that he discovered a love for customizing sneakers and expressing himself through fashion. After attending Onondaga Community College, Javon shifted his focus to building something of his own—Projectivities, which began as a way for friends to gather safely, and quickly evolved into a brand blending creativity, streetwear, and purpose.

Projectivities PJTVS is a clothing company that combines urban clothing with the elements of NYCHA/ the projects. Javon runs the company 100% on his own, from making the logos, picking out garments, and doing the labor to make the apparel. He also posts and manages social media for the brand. Javon prints and produces custom clothing orders in bulk for other brands as well as events (BBQs, memorials, basketball tournaments). Orders may range from a single shirt to a bulk order of 200 shirts. 

Company: SpringKids Family Daycare LLC

SpringKids Family Daycare LLC is a licensed home-based daycare in Flushing, NY, founded by Xiafei Lin, that opened its doors in fall 2024. We provide full and part-time care for infants and toddlers in a safe, loving, and developmentally supportive environment that feels just like home. Our license allows up to 8 children at a time. Currently, the daycare cares for 6 children at once with the help of a part-time assistant.  We operate Monday to Friday, from 8:00 to 6:00 pm, serving mostly local families, especially working parents who need high-quality, reliable childcare. The majority of our children come from the surrounding community, and many families have found us through social media and parent referrals. Our primary source of income comes from childcare subsidies, and our annual revenue typically ranges from $25,00 to 50,000, depending on enrollment. 

Our goal is to continue growing SpringKids Family Daycare and eventually open a childcare center to serve more families in need of nurturing, accessible early childhood education. With over ten years of experience in the field of education and as a mother to a young boy, I understand the importance of providing a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where children can grow, learn, and feel at home

Company: Eat My Cake Too

Natasha Ragin is a born and raised East Harlem NYCHA resident, and a single mother to a 23-year-old daughter, who has made a career working at FedEx as a Courier. Natasha began learning how to bake by visiting her grandmother on summer vacations with her family. When it came time to do birthday celebrations and school events for her daughter, Natasha had found a love for baking and organizing.

Eat My Cake Too is a dessert catering business that offers goods and services for individuals and families who love to have unique celebrations and events. Offering cakes, cookie platters, and a variety of treats, as well as delivery and set up. Eat My Cake Too’s mission is to take the stress off the host who knows how to plan but drops the ball on executing the final steps to completing a gathering. Less stress, more socializing.

Company: Sing with Soul by Elissa’s Solutions

Elissa Carmona is an Air Force veteran, award-winning vocalist, and founder of Elissa’s Solutions, a Bronx-based business dedicated to uplifting communities through arts, wellness, and live music. She is the winner of the 2025 SU-CASA, Arts Fund, and Community Arts awards, the CitizensNYC Neighborhood Business Grant, and the Bronx Cultural Visions Fund. Her work centers cultural pride, healing, and human connection through music.

Voted Best Singer from the Bronx in 2024, Carmona brings over two decades of experience across performance, social work, and nonprofit leadership. She was professionally trained at NYC’s Music & Art High School and holds a Master’s in Social Work with a focus on Nonprofit Management. For the past ten years, she has designed and led community-focused programs promoting wellness and creative engagement.

Through Elissa’s Solutions, she delivers interactive music programs, high-impact performances, and grant writing services for mission-driven organizations. Her flagship wellness program, Sing with SOUL, uses live music to reduce isolation and spark joy for older adults. Since its launch in 2020, it has reached more than 500 participants across NYC and recently expanded to New Orleans.

Elissa’s work has been featured on BronxNet, News 12, and stages throughout the city, including Carnegie Hall. Her vision continues to inspire, empower, and connect communities through the transformative power of music.

Company: To Be Announced