Small businesses receive checks and lessons in success thanks to Ponce Bank

NEW YORK (PIX11) — It’s a special NYC small business boot camp where dozens of budding entrepreneurs get up to $10,000 in checks and learn the secrets to success.

Emely Roxanna Martinez had a dream to have her own fashion line that was high-end and affordable. She just needed a little bit of support.

She got it in June when she got a big check to help make it happen.  Emely Roxanna Martinez says fashion has always been her passion. She says fashion helped her build self-confidence, and self-worth, and express herself through her designs.

She started Roxanna in 2022 with a mission in mind to create a fashion line for all body types.

Earlier this year, one of her business consultants suggested she apply for the Ponce Bank small business boot camp to give her a boost. She made her pitch in June and competed against 80 other small businesses and won $7,500.

From small businesses that help promote literacy in our youth, to mom-and-pop bakeries, half a dozen small businesses are getting checks of up to ten thousand dollars to uplift their businesses thanks to Outreach Center Network, Fiserv, and Ponce Bank.

The President and CEO of Ponce Bank Carlis Naudon says the key is believing in yourself to make your business dreams happen. Naudon says his bank is in every community through NYC, with 13 branches and more than 3 Billion dollars in assets.

More than 1,500 small business owners from across the city have taken part in the Small Business Bootcamp since its launch in 2021. More funding is available for half a dozen more small businesses.

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