She Means Business Pitch Competition Winners Announced

Three Buffalo women entrepreneurs were recognized for their business ideas in the She Means Business pitch competition hosted by The Enterprise Center at PathStone and Citizens.

Winners received a total of $10,000 in prizes to help take their business to the next level.

The She Means Business program is offered annually by PathStone’s The Enterprise Center, with support from Citizens, to help women entrepreneurs with the steps and processes needed to succeed in business, from ideation to launch, to recession to expansion and job creation.

After successfully completing the 7-week She Means Business Virtual Intensive Program, winners demonstrated their expertise during a pitch competition held on May 14.

“Empowering She Means Business Pitch Competition participants with access to resources and training helps propel startups to new heights,” said Javier Zapata, President and Executive Director of The Enterprise Center at PathStone. “Over the past four years, we have helped eliminate the financial barriers faced by minority entrepreneurs, empowering them to succeed in their endeavors and contributing to the collective prosperity of our communities.

First place was won by Janna Willoughby-Lohr of Buffalo, who won $5,000 for her business Papercraft Miracles. The sustainable handmade stationery and paper art business has been in business for 18 years.

Second place went to Jess Kent of Buffalo, who won $3,000 for Clark Mediation. The provider of confidential negotiation and mediation services has been in business for three years.

Kara Oliver-Pérez of Buffalo, of Buffalo, won $2,000 for Native Pens Collaborative Publishing. The children’s book publishing, consulting and coaching company focuses on diverse storytelling and increasing access to culturally relevant literature.

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