{"id":200525,"date":"2026-04-17T09:50:14","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T09:50:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/200525\/"},"modified":"2026-04-17T09:50:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T09:50:14","slug":"brooklyn-makers-take-center-stage-in-shark-tank-style-pitch-competition-brooklyn-paper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/200525\/","title":{"rendered":"Brooklyn makers take center stage in \u2018Shark Tank\u2019-style pitch competition \u2022 Brooklyn Paper"},"content":{"rendered":"

A packed ballroom in Downtown Brooklyn set the stage for the borough\u2019s next wave of entrepreneurs Tuesday night, as 10 small-business owners stepped into the spotlight to pitch their brands in a high-stakes, \u201cShark Tank\u201d-style competition hosted by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce<\/a> and its retail initiative, Brooklyn Made<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Brooklyn spin on the reality TV show \u2014 in which entrepreneurs pitch million-dollar ideas to investors in hopes of securing funding \u2014 marked the culmination of Ignite Brooklyn Made, a new $400,000 grant-and-pitch competition funded by Wells Fargo. More than 200 Brooklyn-based small businesses applied for the opportunity to receive $25,000 in initial funding and participate in an advisory program focused on growth strategy, financial planning and scaling operations.<\/p>\n

Randy Peers, president and CEO of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, told Brooklyn Paper the event, hosted at the \u00a0BRIC Arts Media Ballroom, aimed to inspire makers to grow their businesses and encourage others in the community to think big and creatively.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho you\u2019re going to meet tonight is really 10 of our best, the ones that have really demonstrated growth potential, and we\u2019re here to support that growth potential,\u201d Peers said, calling Brooklyn the creative heart of New York City, if not the world. \u201cWe have some of the most incredible makers that really showcase everything that you can imagine, from apparel to packaged food goods to home goods like candles and dish towels to art, jewelry, even pet products and baby products, and they\u2019re all here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Randy Peers called Brooklyn the creative heart of New York City, if not the world.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann<\/p>\n

The 10 finalists vying for additional funding were:<\/p>\n

Alexzandra Denis of Avalah All Natural<\/a>, a natural beauty brand creating body oils, hair care and skincare products made with plant-based ingredients and inspired by Caribbean self-care traditions.
\nAuria Abraham of Auria\u2019s Malaysian Kitchen<\/a>, which features Malaysian pantry staples \u2014 including sambal chili pastes and kaya coconut jam \u2014 designed to bring authentic Southeast Asian flavors to home cooks.
\nTheresa Berens of Boss Dotty Paper Co.<\/a>, a stationery and gift brand featuring illustrated greeting cards and paper goods inspired by everyday moments.
\nTracey Solomon of Flatbush Granola Company<\/a>, a food brand creating small-batch granola blends and a candle line that celebrates global flavors and the borough\u2019s cultural diversity.
\nChristina Wu and Alex Matos of Kemushi Sauce<\/a>, a company inspired by Japanese culinary traditions, featuring condiments like spicy mayo, umami soy sauce and unagi sauce.
\nRoselyn Shiyenze of Shiynze<\/a>, a sustainable fashion brand blending African-inspired textiles with contemporary design, rooted in heritage, storytelling and cultural pride.
\nCory Lee of Skool Milk<\/a>, a clothing brand producing neighborhood-inspired apparel celebrating hometown pride and the identity of New York City communities.
\nKhareen Georges of Teazert Tea<\/a>, a specialty tea company that creates premium loose-leaf teas inspired by classic desserts.
\nCharly Uzc\u00e1tegui of Terrart NYC<\/a>, a design studio creating low-maintenance, handcrafted and self-sustaining terrariums and moss installations.
\nThe mother-daughter duo Shanice Black and Patricia Chatrie of Ting A Ling<\/a>, a food brand producing authentic Jamaican jerk sauces and marinades designed to bring bold Caribbean flavors to everyday home cooking.<\/p>\n

\"\"Ten Brooklyn-based small businesses took the stage for the inaugural Ignite Brooklyn Made Pitch Competition.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann \"\"Theresa Berens of Boss Dotty Paper Co. won second prize.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann<\/p>\n

The panel of judges included Gustavo E. Perez, vice president of Business Growth Philanthropy at the Wells Fargo Foundation; Sonya Smith, state director of the New York Small Business Development Centers; Kathy Wylde, former president and CEO of Partnership for New York; and Regina Myer, president of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership. They evaluated each pitch based on growth strategy, market opportunity and scalability, clarity of capital deployment, operational readiness, and the quality of the presentation and Q&A before selecting the winners.<\/p>\n

\"\"The panel of judges included Gustavo E. Perez, Sonya Smith, Kathy Wylde and Regina Myer.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann \"\"Alexzandra Denis presented her natural beauty brand Avalah All Natural.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann<\/p>\n

Khareen Georges of Teazert Tea won first place and $25,000; Theresa Berens of Boss Dotty Paper Co. placed second and took home $15,000; and third-place winner Shanice Black received $10,000.\n<\/p>\n

Georges said winning the grand prize would turn her dream into a reality, noting that Black female representation in the beverage industry is less than 1%.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cThis started as a dream that I really never thought would get this big. I\u2019ve only been doing this for four years, and to be a baby and to just be acknowledged in this way, it lets me know that people see my vision and they believe in me,\u201d Georges told Brooklyn Paper.<\/p>\n

\"\"Khareen Georges won first place, allowing her to turn her dream into reality.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann<\/p>\n

Her advice for up-and-coming entrepreneurs was to overcome the fear of failure and celebrate small accomplishments.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor me, those two things led me here. It built my confidence, and it helped me really believe in myself,\u201d she said.\n<\/p>\n

Second runner-up Black told Brooklyn Paper she was nervous while presenting her pitch but excited to share her company\u2019s vision with the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and Brooklyn Made.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s so amazing how much they really try to support Brooklyn founders. Even before we got here, we had, like, very intense, like, coaching sessions. We got to practice our pitch, like we had a speaking coach. Like, it\u2019s not just one-and-done. It\u2019s like they really want us to be our best,\u201d Black said.<\/p>\n

\"\"Shanice Black of Ting A Ling won third prize.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann<\/p>\n

Fellow competitors Christina Wu, Roselyn Shiyenze and Tracey Solomon described how they prepared for the contest and praised the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and Brooklyn Made for supporting small businesses.<\/p>\n

Wu told Brooklyn Paper that \u201cShark Tank\u201d was her favorite reality TV show and that the Ignite Brooklyn Made Pitch Competition gave her a taste of what it would be like to appear on the show, though she said preparation had been \u201cgrueling.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have been practicing with coaches. We\u2019ve been practicing with friends and family. I\u2019ve been developing my sauces and just making sure that everybody who comes to try kamushi walks away in love,\u201d Wu said.<\/p>\n

\"\"Christine Wu told Brooklyn Paper that \u2018Shark Tank\u2019 is her favorite reality TV show.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann<\/p>\n

Shiyenze said her father and her team helped her prepare for the pitch.<\/p>\n

\u201cI applied in faith, you know? I\u2019m still a young brand, but they gave me a chance,\u201d Shiyenze said.\n<\/p>\n

Solomon said the competition was an opportunity for small businesses to be introduced to the broader Brooklyn community.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s such a really incredible group of businesses that Brooklyn Made Store has curated that I didn\u2019t think I had any better chance than anyone. I was like, well, \u2018I\u2019ll put my hat in the ring, and we\u2019ll see what happens.\u2019 You know, if you don\u2019t take the shot, you can\u2019t win,\u201d Solomon told Brooklyn Paper.<\/p>\n

\"\"Tracey Solomon said the competition was an amazing opportunity for small businesses to be introduced to the greater Brooklyn community.Photo by Gabriele Holtermann<\/p>\n

Audience member Tenay Fowler, a small-business owner who produces all-natural coconut soy candles with an emphasis on self-love, said she was inspired by the presentations.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought I could get inspired and learn from the other makers,\u201d Fowler told Brooklyn Paper. \u201cI think it is truly incredible, like from the very beginning, the pitches are so inspiring. You can see that everyone put a lot of love and a lot of thought into everything, and the actual products are really great.\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A packed ballroom in Downtown Brooklyn set the stage for the borough\u2019s next wave of entrepreneurs Tuesday night,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":200526,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[79597,98,4223,100,4224,99,79598,71071,79599,9,24,370,63,71072,28782,79600],"class_list":{"0":"post-200525","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-brooklyn","8":"tag-bric","9":"tag-brooklyn","10":"tag-brooklyn-chamber-of-commerce","11":"tag-brooklyn-headlines","12":"tag-brooklyn-made","13":"tag-brooklyn-news","14":"tag-entrepreneur","15":"tag-ignite-brooklyn-made","16":"tag-ignite-brooklyn-made-pitch-competition","17":"tag-new-york","18":"tag-new-york-city","19":"tag-newsletter","20":"tag-nyc","21":"tag-randy-peers","22":"tag-shark-tank","23":"tag-small-business-owner"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/200525","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=200525"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/200525\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/200526"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=200525"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=200525"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=200525"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}