Cook Me Somethin’ Mister wins Small Business Competition February 25 2014
Capital One Bank, in partnership with the Louisiana Small Business Development Center Greater New Orleans Region (LSBDC GNOR) and the Urban League of Greater New Orleans (ULGNO), recently announced that Be Well Nutrition, Inc., is the winner of the “Greaux GNO” business plan competition created to help small businesses in greater New Orleans grow and create jobs. The healthy food and lifestyle company received the grand prize of $20,000 to expand its work using nutritious products for health-conscious consumers.
Second-place winner Cook Me Somethin’ Mister, a pre-packaged jambalaya distribution company, received $10,000. The company began as a fundraising venture to support those afflicted by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
4D Supplements, LLC, won third place, receiving $5,000 to develop its healthy athletics supplement product line. Other finalists included Bonne Terre Landscaping; Dyverse City; Elite Custom Cleaning Services, LLC; Louisiana Sisters; Mondo Murals & Design; and Professional Design Group, Inc.
“Greaux GNO is just another example of how Capital One Bank is investing for good in the greater New Orleans community,” said Steve Hemperley, Southeast Louisiana Market President for Capital One Bank. “New Orleans is a thriving city for small business development, and we look forward to seeing this group of entrepreneurs implement their business plans and continue to grow.”
In the first and second rounds of the competition earlier this year, applicants attended a minimum of three seminars taught by Capital One’s partners at LSDBC and ULGNO and then submitted one-page letters of intent explaining how they would use the prize monies to grow their businesses if they were to win. In the third round, the applicants submitted full business plans with the assistance of Capital One bankers from greater New Orleans. The six finalists were chosen after a review of the business plans by Capital One Bank, LSDBC and ULGNO.
Through an approach called “Investing for Good,” Capital One Bank is committed to delivering core banking services along with specialized community development, philanthropic and volunteer support to generate lasting, local community impact and valuable business results. Activities like Greaux GNO demonstrate Capital One Bank’s long-standing commitment to small business and workforce development.
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LSBDC Greater New Orleans Region
504-831-3730
lsbdc.gnor@lsbdc.org