New businesses secure startup scholarships

SANDUSKY — This past week, the Minority Business Empowerment Team provided startup scholarships to several new area businesses. A recent event to make the announcements occurred at Noble Crafts Tavern at the Marketplace Downtown in Sandusky. Those representing H2 Property Management and the Regional Incubator for Sustainability and Entrepreneurship were in attendance. Among the scholarship recipients: Belleza Pura by Miasuki, Glory Carriers, 8 Acre Woods Nature School, Nene Krafts, I'Mars Hair & Clothing Store, The Garden of Edy, Finny Mae's and Luxury Floral Arrangements. A startup scholarship provides some funds to help offset a minority — defined by the empowerment team as someone who is a woman, veteran, person of color or a member of the LGBTQ+ community — launch a small business. The Minority Business Empowerment Team is a grassroots collaborative effort between local minority-owned businesses, economic development organizations like the Erie County Economic Development Corp. and the Regional Incubator for Sustainability and Entrepreneurship; the city of Sandusky and its commissioners; and Sandusky Schools. Its mission is to champion minority business development through collective and intentional entrepreneur support that improves the economic, social and personal standing for all minority entrepreneurs in the greater Sandusky area. Since forming in 2020, the group has used networking events and social media to build community and increase the visibility of local minority entrepreneurs and have delivered business and financial assistance to minority-owned businesses. The team underscored how startup grants remain available for new minority-owned businesses. People can learn more at bit.ly/MBETSS2.