WYBC and D’Amato’s Seafood want to treat you and a friend to a virtual lunch with Wanda Coppage from the WYBC Workforce!
Enter to win a delicious lunch for you and a guest courtesy of D’Amato’s Seafood, 423 Whalley Avenue in New Haven. We will randomly draw a winner at the end of the month and we’ll deliver lunch to the winner, who will get to eat with Wanda virtually through Zoom!
Name: Neville Wisdom
Business Name: Neville Wisdom Fashion Design Studio, 27 Broadway, New Haven
Year Business was started in New Haven: 2007
Why did you start your own business?
I started my own business because I wanted to do what I love and I also wanted to be in control of my own destiny.
Why did you choose to start your business in New Haven?
I chose New Haven because I migrated from Jamaica and settled in New Haven. I would’ve have started my own business no matter where I lived and I had a fashion design company in Jamaica prior.
What challenges did you have to overcome in starting your business?
At the time I started my business funding was one of the major challenges, but now that I know better, experience was my biggest challenge. I have no regrets but for those who may be trying to start their own business. Get as much information as you can and make sure you can adjust your budget if you don’t meet your projections. Just find a way, dream big, act fast and never worry about failure. Starting a business in Connecticut was not easy but could have been easy if I had a more confidence and push the limits a little much more and not compromise. Stay true to who you are.
Photos courtesy of Neville Wisdom’s Fashion Design Studio
Name: Ebony Peterson
Business Name: Salon E’Selim, 893 Chapel Street, Suite 3, New Haven.
Year Business was started in New Haven: 2018
Why did you start your own business?
My passion for pouring love, joy and encouragement into the community through hair care is what inspired me to open my own business.
Why did you choose to start your business in New Haven?
Moving from South Carolina to Connecticut in 2014 was an emotional time for me because I’d built so much there. But after settling in New Haven and receiving so much support, love, opportunities and family help, I realized that change was good and necessary.
What challenges did you have to overcome in starting your business?
My biggest challenge in my career was work-life balance and the root of that was not having the courage to say no! Keeping my clients looking good for their lifestyle and events, kept me working through my own family time and invited work-related events. Missing out on making memories with those who have supported me and my business has motivated me to saying “No” and showing up for myself and others! In short, I can’t be amazing to others if I can’t be amazing to myself, so I’ve made self-care a priority because it’s inevitable!
Photos courtesy of Salon E’Selim
Comedian Roy Wood Jr. is coming to Mohegan Sun’s Cabaret Theatre on Saturday, April 5th. For show and ticket information, visit www.ticketmaster.com
Enter to win four tickets to the show!
Contest open to Connecticut residents only. Must be at least 18 years of age or older to enter. One entry per person. Duplicate entries will be discarded. Tickets are digital so winner must have a smartphone and a valid email address to receive tickets.
PHOTO CREDIT: DUANE COLE
Name: Carrien Davis
Business Name: Any Occasion Creation Florist, 1090 Chapel Street, New Haven
Year Business was started in New Haven: 2014
Why did you start your own business?
I gained inspiration from my parents, who kept flowers all throughout her home in the Caribbean Island of Dominica. As a teenager, I would be tasked with picking flowers from the family garden for the dinner table, and she enjoyed making arrangements.
Why did you choose to start your business in New Haven?
My family immigrated to the United States when I was 17. Upon seeing the abundance of flower shops and craft stores, I realized that I could turn my interest into a profession and began taking orders for floral arrangements from friends.
What challenges did you have to overcome in starting your business?
It’s challenging to get support from the community, however, over time, I was able to develop a clientele. People noticed my work and that turned out to be the primary driver for orders.
Photos courtesy of Any Occasion Creation Florist
Congratulations to Ashley from Wallingford! She is our WYBC Valentine’s Day Grand Prize Winner! Ashley and the love of her life, her husband Dustin, are going to enjoy tickets to see Mary J. Blige, dinner at Kool Breeze Jamerican Cuisine in New Haven, flowers and chocolates!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Special thanks to
Name: Alisha Crutchfield
Business Name: BLOOM, 794 Edgewood Avenue, New Haven
Year Business was started in New Haven: 2021
Why did you start your own business?
I started BLOOM because I have a deep passion for fostering creativity and providing a space where people can connect. I wanted to create a business that not only offers thoughtful products for purchase but also serves as an enriching community hub for thoughtful conversations and connecting. My goal is to inspire others through community, culture and commerce, while also creating a fulfilling career for myself.
Why did you choose to start your business in New Haven?
I chose New Haven because it has a vibrant community that values local businesses and creativity. The city’s rich cultural and artistic heritage aligns perfectly with my vision for BLOOM. Additionally, New Haven has a diverse population that appreciates unique, locally-sourced products. It felt like the ideal place to establish a business that promotes sustainability and community engagement.
What challenges did you have to overcome in starting your business?
Starting BLOOM came with its share of challenges. One of the biggest hurdles was securing funding and navigating the financial aspects of launching a small business. Additionally, managing the logistics of sourcing products and supplies while maintaining high quality was a task I had to learn to handle efficiently. However, with determination and support from the community, I was able to overcome these obstacles and establish a thriving business.
Photos courtesy of BLOOM
Name: Nebyat Shewaye
Business Name: B-Natural Kitchen, 260 College Street in New Haven.
Year Business was started in New Haven: 2004
Why did you start your own business?
I wanted to be my own boss. I also have a passion to serve natural and organic food and drinks.
Why did you choose to start your business in New Haven?
I went to school in New Haven so it seemed like a perfect fit.
What challenges did you have to overcome in starting your business?
Financing was the main challenge in starting my business.
Photos courtesy of B-Natural Kitchen:
First Name: Alexis Evans
Business: Raw Juicescape, 770 Chapel Street in New Haven
Why did I start my business in New Haven:
I started my Juice Bar business because I wanted to offer people a healthy and delicious alternative to the sugar filled and processed drinks that dominate the market. I believe that everyone deserves access to fresh nutritious beverages, and I wanted to create a space where people could enjoy them in a welcoming and relaxed environment.
Why I started my business in New Haven:
I started my business in New Haven, Connecticut because I saw a need for a health, conscious and community-oriented business in the area. There are several colleges and two local hospitals with sick people that can benefit from fresh herbs juices, Seamoss, herbs, and smoothies.
One of the challenges I faced in starting my Juice Bar business, was finding a location that met all the criteria I wanted a space that was easily accessible and had a lot of foot traffic, ideally near a bus stop to attract more customers however unforeseen obstacles came up, such as a ongoing construction And the relocation of the nearby bus stops presented unexpected hurdles that made it difficult. I didn’t give up. I still found a way to bring people in!! I would also add being a woman in business could be a difficult task at times because you have to know when to operate at your masculine energy and feminine energy. Realizing everything is a balance.
Photos courtesy of Raw Juicescape:
Name: Ricky Evans
Business Name: Ricky D’s Rib Shack, 302 Winchester Avenue, New Haven
Year Business was started in New Haven:
May 2013 (food truck)
June 2016 (restaurant)
Why did you start your own business?
After spending 4 years in Corporate America working in New York and New Jersey I realized it wasn’t for me and I’d much rather be cooking on the grill. After researching the best way to make a business out of it “without” opening a restaurant I found starting a food truck was my best option.
Why did you choose to start your business in New Haven?
After putting my 2 weeks’ notice in at my job at the time and months of preparation of getting my food truck ready for business, I transitioned from New York to New Haven where my lady is originally from. That’s what brought me to New Haven.
What challenges did you have to overcome in starting your business?
My first challenge I encountered in starting my bbq business was now that I’ve found the perfect food truck to start how am I going to come up with $18k to purchase the food truck. So I withdrew $10k from my 401k (all that I accumulated from my short time in Corporate America) to put a down payment on the food truck. After my grandfather passed away, I found out that he left me $8k from his life insurance policy that was passed down to me. I was able to use that to pay off the balance. My initial challenge was overcome but later I would find out that there would be more challenges for me to overcome.
After getting my food truck started and approved by all state and local departments my very next challenge was finding customers and getting my process established. I was new to New Haven and didn’t know the city nor the culture and all everyone told me at the time was go to park at Yale. I would say, “well where is Yale?” After moving around to multiple locations and vending at different times of day and night I ultimately found my location to setup to be on Chapel Street outside the Yale Art Gallery.
Photos courtesy of Ricky D’s Rib Shack:
