Writer in the Thick of It: Recapping the EforAll Summer Accelerator Awards Celebration

The 2019 Summer Accelerator Cohort

Last Thursday UMl iHub in Lowell hosted a celebration for the entrepreneurs who just completed the EforAll Lowell Lawrence 2019 Summer Accelerator. It was a pleasure to join in celebrating their accomplishments and the great things to come.

Folks Checking Out the Product Showcase

A product showcase, speeches, food catered by EforAll alum Woodland Catering, and the awarding of big checks made up the agenda for evening. Because this cohort featured several food entrepreneurs, ranging from chocolate truffles to microgreens, there were many delicious tastes to experience. Checking out the product showcase was even more fun than usual.

Keynote Speaker Lydia Blanchard

The keynote speaker was Lydia Blanchard of Sweet Lydia's who gave a great talk about her entrepreneurial journey and about the parallels between entrepreneurship and motherhood. She was full of insight and humor.

Class Speaker
Jennifer Flores -- The Traveling Stylist

Class speaker Jennifer Flores, The Traveling Stylist, inspired us with her story and gave us a glimpse into what it was like to be part of this cohort.

Milk + Sugar Chocolates

The Brazilian chocolate truffles from Milk + Sugar Chocolates were absolutely delicious. I loved the salted caramel!

Chocolates -- Even More Delicious than They Look

There was just so much inspiration and so many good flavors, that the whole evening felt wonderful and I didn't even get to taste everything or photograph everything.

A Youngster Asking Questions About Neighbor's Acre Microgreens

Micro Beet Greens from Neighbor's Acre

The playlist provided by Trend Media added to the fun atmosphere. Seems like this cohort of entrepreneurs had a little of everything you need to feel good and inspired.

Trend Media

Simply Biscotti

Foodega

Besides food, there were custom playing cards, fashionable accessories, traveling beauty services for folks who are home-bound, and personal coaching for mental and physical health.

Scarab Studios

The Traveling Stylist

Our Cards

The room was buzzing with positive energy the whole time. It was great to see Our Best Year Ever and Neighbor's Acre getting lots of attention.

Loads of Positive Energy in this Crowd (Left: Our Best Year Ever; Right: Neighbor's Acre)

The money was awarded as follows:

$1,000 The Christina Hamilton Award to Sing Thanousith of Hop Sing In Town, a Lowell-based food pop-up shop/food truck serving a varied menu of tasty and healthy fast food including chicken wings, rice, and stir-fried vegetables.
$1,000.00 to Karen Vasso of Neighbor's Acre, locally grown microgreens. Her microgreens are sold in local farmer’s markets and by subscription.
$2,000.00 to Natalie Garcia, of Our Best Year Ever, a lifestyle coaching program for mothers, promoting mental health and overall wellness.
$2,000.00 to Jennifer Castro-Flores, of The Traveling Stylist LLC , a service that brings salon/beauty services to your home.
$3,500.00 to Amanda Campos, of Milk + Sugar, a chocolate company specializing in brigadeiros (Brazilian chocolate truffles).