Sacramento, Calif. – After fans and members of the community cast over 3,000 ballots narrowing the nominated field from 40 local, women-owned small businesses to five finalists, the winners and grants for the Women’s History Month edition of Republic FC Kickstart Program have been selected. With the help of Suncrest Bank and the Sacramento Metro Chamber, Republic FC has awarded another $10,500, building on the $21,000 awarded previous editions of the small-business grant program powered by fan and community nominations, focused on supporting Black- and Latinx-owned businesses.
Later this year, Republic FC and Suncrest Bank will launch three more editions of the grant program supporting Asian and Pacific Islander-owned, LGBTQ-owned, and veteran-owned businesses, raising the total in local grants for the small business community to over $60,000.
The third set of Kickstart grant recipients are:
Grand Prize Grant $5,000: Carmazzi Caramel Corn
Second Place Grant $2,500: The Artisan Pour
Third Place Grants $1,000: Luna Unleashed, Hip + Hooray, Amariginal Art
“I want to thank the Sacramento Republic FC and Suncrest Bank for sponsoring this grant opportunity. Carmazzi Caramel Corn has always thrived from the support from our community and being nominated and becoming a finalist was truly humbling,” said Carmazzi Caramel Corn CEO & Founder Karen Carmazzi. “The $5,000 grant will help continue the growth of my business and I feel recognized and honored to have received it. It was inspiring to see the overwhelming support for woman-owned small businesses, which are the lifeblood of any community. The heart of Carmazzi Caramel Corn has been and will always be Sacramento.”
“Seeing the inventive solutions and creativity of our finalists to keep their businesses moving during the pandemic, as well as the support that all of our nominees received, is an incredible example of the Indomitable spirit of our community,” said Republic FC President & General Manager Todd Dunivant. “We’re proud to stand with Suncrest Bank and continue to support the small businesses of our community, and help provide them with grants, resources and opportunities to help grow their businesses and enrich our region.”
“Suncrest Bank congratulates these five grant recipients on the success of their businesses and on their own successes as strong women entrepreneurs,” said Suncrest Bank Director of Marketing Elizabeth Zennadi. “Collectively this group offers an inspirational look at the importance of women business leaders in our community by demonstrating creativity, perseverance and a commitment to giving back. We are thrilled to support them as they continue to grow and contribute to the Greater Sacramento region.”
“I am honored to have had the opportunity to serve as a judge for the Republic FC Kickstart grant program that provides invaluable support for women-owned businesses in the greater Sacramento region,” said Sacramento Metro Chamber President & CEO Amanda Blackwood. “It was an incredible and inspiring process to see and hear from the entrepreneurs about their innovative businesses and plans for future growth. It is through the strength of partnerships and programs like these that provide hope and promise for better and brighter days ahead.”
The five finalists pitched their businesses to a panel of community and business leaders including Metro Chamber President & CEO Amanda Blackwood, Clutch & BOLD Speaker Series co-founder Anne Descalzo, Sugar Coated Cupcakes co-owner LaQueanya Henry – a previous Republic FC Kickstart winner, and KCRA’s Michelle Dapper, as well as Suncrest Bank’s Elizabeth Zennadi and Republic FC Controller and CPA Sarah Schubert.
Through three editions of Republic FC Kickstart, over 140 local businesses have been provided access to free educational services and consulting opportunities from Suncrest Bank to help to help bridge the resource gaps that many women- and minority-owned businesses experience. In the coming weeks, Republic FC will announce the fourth edition of the program.
For more information about Republic FC Kickstart, visit www.sacrepublicfc.com/SuncrestBank.
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