Meet Our Clients

We’re proud to have had a role in helping so many small businesses throughout New Jersey to start, grow and thrive. While each client is unique, they all share some common characteristics: an unshakable belief in their business, a willingness to work as long and hard as it takes, and a relentless drive to stay competitive.

Read their stories and be inspired. And then contact us to see how we can help you.

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Melissa Jenkins, BAM Desserts In the heart of Somerset County, New Jersey, Melissa Jenkins has carved out a sweet spot for herself and her business, BAM Desserts. Recently honored with the 2023 Business of the Year award by Somerset County,…
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Savory Selections Catering Scotch Plains, New Jersey Jill Jackson-Jones, the co-owner of Savory Selections Catering, renowned for its “food for the soul,” proudly received the Businesswoman of the Year award from The Union County Club of the National Association of…
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Gladys Vonghlan is the kind of person who becomes an immediate inspiration to everyone she meets. She has an infectious energy about her that is equal parts drive and enthusiasm, and it’s hard not to take notice of her success.…
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Cranford, NJ The Artist Framer When Stefanie Lalor was 15, she visited a frame shop with her mother. As soon as she walked in the door, she knew it was what she wanted to do for the rest of her…
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Rafael Cruzado, the owner of HR Cleaning, embarked on a journey to bring clarity and tranquility to people’s lives through his unique approach to cleaning. His story intertwines with the support and guidance he received from UCEDC’s Entrepreneurship as a Second…
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Happiness Akaniro is an accomplished artist and the creative force behind Happiness International LLC, a company renowned for designing and producing the popular BubaLapa brand of products. Happiness has always been passionate about art and pursued her love for creativity…
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Meet Erica “E” Bradshaw, Owner of Bradshaw Creative Services Erica Bradshaw (they/them), or “E” as they prefer to be called, is a remarkable entrepreneur and proud New Jerseyan originally from Newark who now resides in Union County, New Jersey. With…
Name: Level-Up Studios
Location: Bayonne, NJ
Helen Perez always knew she wanted to be an entrepreneur. She says that as a kid, she would sell anything she could get her hands on. It’s no surprise that her entrepreneurial spirit led her to small business ownership. After…
Name: BelleJohns' Soul Food
Location: New Jersey
We met Jewel Domino when she was accepted into UCEDC’s Virtual Incubator Program(VIP), which offers selected businesses with ownership from underserved populations free mentorship, training, and access to capital to help meet the challenges of this moment.  Before becoming an…