Five businesses win big at RBC Showcase
The Fall 2022 Retail Boot Camp Showcase was a hit! Congratulations to the standouts that each won a $5,000 Kickstart Award and to the People's Choice Award winner.
Kickstart Award winners:
On Nov. 10, 2022, TechTown Detroit celebrated the hustle and hard work of 14 Retail Boot Camp (RBC) graduates during our 13th cohort showcase. The participating cohort members pitched their business visions and shared what they learned during the RBC program live at TechTown. Five standouts each won a $5,000 Kickstart Award, and one People’s Choice Award was chosen during the live webcast to receive $1,000! All graduates will continue their journey after Retail Boot Camp with TechTown at their side.
$5,000 Kickstart Award Winners:
Zienethe Adewole – The Damage Zone
The Damage Zone is a rage/smash room where you can be a responsible psycho! The Damage Zone serves ages 5+, offering unlimited destruction of items in real-life settings for real-life stressors. This is the place to bring your children, best friend, spouse, colleague, or come alone for a release like no other.
Lisa Borum – Yarn Nerds
Yarn Nerds provides high-end natural fiber yarns and accessories. They teach the art of needlework and inspire creativity one stitch at a time.
Kathy English – Alotta Locs Hair Suite
Alotta Locs Hair Suite is a welcoming, professional, clean and natural hair salon that provides upscale quality services for the whole family. They have been a part of the Metro Detroit community since 2015, where diversity thrives with deep-rooted culture.
Helina Melaku – Konjo Me Ethiopian Cuisine
Konjo Me Ethiopian Cuisine serves authentic Ethiopian cuisine in Detroit and sells Ethiopian packaged coffee and spices.
Theresa O’Bryant – Genesis Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork
Genesis Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork has a goal to reveal the source of the body’s “dis-ease,” release it using a variety of techniques and tools, restore the proper balance between the skeletal, muscular and neuro systems, re-educate clients with suggested posture and/or movement modifications and assign client self-guided practices to maintain homeostasis.
$1,000 People’s Choice Award winner:
Zienethe Adewole – The Damage Zone
Watch a recap of the Retail Boot Camp Showcase, and learn about the small business owners.
For years, TechTown has helped RBC graduates open competitive retail businesses in a fast-changing environment. Hear how these businesses will make their dreams a reality with what they learned during RBC.
About TechTown Detroit
TechTown is a nonprofit business service organization that provides programs, education, and resources for early- to growth-stage small businesses and tech entrepreneurs. By building bridges for entrepreneurs to succeed, TechTown is accelerating an inclusive economy for Detroit and Southeast Michigan. Since 2007, TechTown has supported more than 4,700 companies, which has created thousands of jobs and raised more than $172.5 million in startup and growth capital. For more information, visit techtowndetroit.org.
