NEWS
UCEDC Announces Winner of Inaugural Share Your Story Contest
August 10, 2026
UCEDC is proud to announce the winner of its inaugural Share Your Story Contest, a campaign inviting New Jersey small business owners to share the challenges they’ve overcome, what inspired them to keep going, and what’s next for their businesses.
The campaign generated 39 video submissions from entrepreneurs across New Jersey, creating a remarkable collection of authentic stories of resilience, determination, and innovation.
After thoughtful review by a panel of volunteer judges, Julie Odita, founder of I&O Wellness Center, was selected as the recipient of the $500 Small Business Award.
Julie’s story resonated with judges because of her perseverance. After experiencing significant financial setbacks, she made the difficult decision to return to her full-time career while raising her family. But her passion for helping others through wellness never faded.
When Julie decided to pursue her dream again, she was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. Rather than giving up, she continued moving forward, drawing strength from her experience and building a business focused on helping others improve their health and well-being. Today, I&O Wellness Center offers adaptive wellness programs, positive behavior support, and specialized services for seniors and neurodivergent young adults.
“That illness taught me to keep on going. I thought if I could show people that you can be resilient and overcome whatever comes your way by just continuing to persevere, you keep on doing that.” — Julie Odita
While Julie was selected as this year’s winner, all 39 submissions reflected the passion, determination, and resilience that define New Jersey’s small business community.
Many of the stories submitted through the contest will be featured throughout the coming year as part of UCEDC’s ongoing effort to celebrate New Jersey’s entrepreneurs and inspire others through their experiences.
By sharing these stories, UCEDC hopes to encourage and inspire current and future entrepreneurs while highlighting the strength and diversity of New Jersey’s small business community.
UCEDC extends its sincere thanks to everyone who participated, as well as the volunteer judges who generously donated their time to review the submissions.