July 23, 2012 - Rising Tide Entrepreneurs Awarded Free Space
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Rising Tide Entrepreneurs Awarded Free Office Space at NJCU Business Incubator
Jersey City—July 23, 2012—For two Rising Tide Entrepreneurs, Donna Dequina and Nyaima Smith, today is a day of firsts. As recipients of the fourth bi-annual E2 (Enterprise and Economic) Incubator Residency, both women will receive business support from a paid intern as well as office space at the Business Development Incubator (BDI) out of New Jersey City University. The space is provided free of charge, including rent, heat, and janitorial services. In addition, they will receive assistance from the Small Business Development Center based out of NJCU. A licensed engineer with over 10 years of experience in the field, Smith launched her business, J. Davis Electrical Group, in January 2012 to combine her knowledge of electrical engineering with her passion for sustainability. Her company’s services include energy assessments, electrical work, and retro-fits. Working from home until now, Smith plans to use her new office space for administrative work and client meetings. “I feel so blessed. Having this opportunity at the BDI will put me in a position to grow my business in an effective way and provide me with the foundation I need to succeed,” said Smith. The E2 Incubator Residency Program is the result of a unique public-partnership between Rising Tide Capital and NJCU, funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Rising Tide Capital, a New Jersey based non-profit organization, trains entrepreneurs on how to start and grow a business through its Community Business Academy. At the end of each semester, graduates compete for an opportunity to win a year-long residency at the Business Development Incubator at NJCU. Dequina signed up for the Spring 2012 Community Business Academy with an idea to create a business that would provide ethnic women, going through divorce, with resources to cope with cultural issues. “I had ideas about my business for a long time, but taking a structured class forced me to put them down on paper and think about them in a big way,” said Dequina. When the class came to an end, she learned about the E2 program and immediately applied for the opportunity. To her surprise, she was selected along with Smith. Dequina hopes that with the resources provided by the BDI, she will be able to launch her business, Divorcetopia, within the next year. “With Jersey City’s diverse population, this is the perfect place to launch my business,” said Dequina, who moved to Jersey City as a young adult when she immigrated from the Philippines. “I am so excited to have my first office space in Jersey City.” ### Grace Chung |
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