3 Rochester businesses win prizes from regional competition

For Tiffany Gray, hairstyling has been a part of her life since she was a little girl. After obtaining her license, she started working in an in-home studio before securing a position at a salon. Remarkably, within two years of earning her license, Gray opened her own shop.

Phli Divas Beauty Salon (pronounced fly) opened in 2006 and features stylists specializing in all hair types, textures, and procedures. Before opening her salon, Gray faced difficulties stemming from limited financial literacy and resources.

"The financial literacy of having a business was something I had to learn while I was on my feet," Gray said. "So now, that's why I started this program to help people learn quicker than I did, how to stay afloat in the industry and not to lose the passion."

After winning $25,000 from the Springboard regional prize competition, Gray plans to help other beauty professionals with financial literacy through her new Top Tier Professional program. Any licensed makeup artists, barbers, cosmetologists, and aestheticians are eligible for the program and will have access to classes on how to run a business successfully.

Springboard is a regional, rapid prize competition designed to support organizations contributing to the expansion of entrepreneurship in Greater Buffalo, Greater Rochester, and the Southern Tier. Organizations received $7,500 to $25,000, for a total of $222,500 in awards.

Out of a pool of 131 applicants, ten organizations were chosen. Phli Divas Beauty Salon is one of 3 businesses in Rochester to receive a prize in the competition. The two other local recipients are:

The Rochester Commissary

As an incubator for local businesses, The Rochester Commissary is known for being the only shared kitchen permitted in Monroe County designed to support new and existing food businesses. Members of the Commissary have access to equipment and specialized support to produce and sell their products. With a prize of $25,000, the Commissary plans to expand its Commissary Cravings program, which will feature an online store and pack-and-ship distribution services for its members.

The Rochester Commissary:Rochester's next big food craze could come out of this innovative kitchen downtown

The Local Sound Collaborative

In 2022, a group of Rochester musicians came together looking for a way to support the careers of local musicians. Through fundraising, education, and events, this grassroots organization gives artists opportunities and innovative ways to share their craft. The $7,500 prize will go towards their Artist Grants Program, an income program meant to support independent musicians financially.

Visit springboardny.org/about to learn more about the competition.

Genae Shields is the business & development impact reporter. Reach out at gshields@gannett.com or on Instagram:@genaebriphoto for questions, comments, or concerns. Thank you for your continued support!