Last Wednesday evening, December 10th, the 11th floor at One Penn Center buzzed with energy, anticipation, and possibility. Entrepreneurs gathered with family, friends, and supporters. Judges reviewed notes. Conversations filled the room. And five local business owners stood ready to share not just business plans—but their visions for the future of their communities.
The 2025 Growth & Sustainability Plan Pitch, hosted by Entrepreneur Works and powered by Citizens, was more than a pitch competition. It was a reminder of what happens when investment, support, and belief come together in one room.
Captured in our event recap video, the night reflected the heart of Philadelphia’s small business ecosystem: resilience, creativity, and a deep commitment to community.
A Partnership Focused on Opportunity, Not Just Transactions
This year’s pitch was made possible through the generous sponsorship of Citizens, whose support reflects a broader commitment to expanding access to opportunity for small business owners.
Through its partnerships with Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) like Entrepreneur Works, Citizens Bank invests in entrepreneurs who may not always qualify for traditional financing but demonstrate the drive, discipline, and vision to grow sustainable businesses. These partnerships go beyond funding—they help unlock training, coaching, and long-term economic mobility.
Entrepreneur Works, a nonprofit CDFI serving the Greater Philadelphia region, works alongside partners like Citizens to ensure entrepreneurs have the tools they need to start strong, grow responsibly, and build businesses that last.
This collaboration is a powerful example of how financial institutions and nonprofit service providers can work together to strengthen local economies—by meeting entrepreneurs where they are and helping them move forward with confidence.
That partnership was reflected through our judging panel, including Michael Washington, Board Member at Entrepreneur Works, alongside Arturo Robledo, AVP, Business Banking Relationship Manager, and Danielle Newman, VP, Business Banking Market Manager at Citizens.
Together, this partnership helps turn potential into progress—and ideas into impact.
A Special Thank You to Citizens Bank
This event would not have been possible without the continued commitment of Citizens to small business empowerment and community growth. Through its focus on expanding access to capital, financial education, and long-term opportunity for entrepreneurs, Citizens demonstrates that supporting small businesses goes far beyond transactions—it’s about investing in people, potential, and place.
By partnering with Community Development Financial Institutions like Entrepreneur Works, Citizens helps ensure that entrepreneurs have the tools, guidance, and resources they need to grow sustainable businesses and contribute meaningfully to their local economies. Their support of the Growth & Sustainability Plan Pitch reflects a shared belief that when small businesses thrive, communities thrive.
We are grateful to Citizens for standing alongside Entrepreneur Works and the entrepreneurs we serve, and for helping turn vision into action across Philadelphia’s small business ecosystem.
From Application to Pitch: A Journey of Growth
This year, 12 entrepreneurs submitted video pitches, sharing their business stories and outlining how funding could help them grow and sustain their work. Through a public Instagram voting round, five finalists advanced to the live pitch event.
Each finalist prepared a detailed Growth & Sustainability Plan, refining their ideas with clarity and purpose before presenting to a panel of judges:
- Arturo Robledo, Business Banking Relationship Manager AVP, Citizens
- Danielle Newman, VP, Business Banking Market Manager, Citizens
- Michael Washington, Board Member, Entrepreneur Works
What followed was a powerful series of presentations that blended strategy with heart—each entrepreneur sharing not only what they do, but why it matters.
Meet the Entrepreneurs Shaping Their Communities
⭐ 1st Place – $5,000: Natasha Lynne Studios (Natasha Pressley)
Natasha’s bridal tailoring studio helps women feel confident during some of the most meaningful moments of their lives. Her pitch focused on expanding her studio’s capacity to serve more clients while maintaining the craftsmanship and care that define her brand. Her clarity, confidence, and vision earned her first place.
⭐ 2nd Place – $3,000: CiCe Consulting (Ciera Ellison)
Ciera’s consulting firm centers on leadership development, youth mentorship, and entrepreneurship education. Her work equips young people with the tools to lead and build their own futures. Her growth plan outlined thoughtful strategies for expanding programming and deepening community impact.
⭐ 3rd Place – $2,000: LA Taco Bistro (Kasai Smith)
Kasai’s Chester-based taco shop is a neighborhood staple—offering more than food, but connection and pride. His pitch focused on equipment upgrades and operational improvements to help stabilize and grow his business.
⭐ Finalist: Royal Blush Bar (Amani Jackson)
Amani’s mobile bartending business delivers curated, elevated event experiences. Her pitch highlighted plans to scale services and strengthen brand presence across the region.
⭐ Finalist: Little Yoga Squad (Mariah McClam)
Mariah’s business brings yoga and mindfulness to children and families, supporting emotional wellness and healthy movement. Her plan focused on expanding partnerships and reaching more families across Philadelphia.
Each entrepreneur brought something different to the stage—but all shared a commitment to strengthening their communities through small business ownership.
What Community Development Looks Like in Real Life
The energy in the room told the story best. Entrepreneurs cheered each other on. Families listened proudly. Judges asked thoughtful questions and offered encouragement. The atmosphere was supportive, collaborative, and deeply human.
This is what community development looks like—not just numbers on a page, but people being seen, heard, and supported.
The recap video captures it all: the nerves before pitching, the smiles afterward, the sense of accomplishment that comes from being part of something bigger than yourself.
If you believe in small businesses as drivers of economic growth, community stability, and local pride, this is the impact your support helps create.
Why This Work Matters—and Why Support Is Essential
Entrepreneur Works exists to help entrepreneurs start, grow, and thrive. Through business coaching, technical assistance, and responsible lending, we work every day to make entrepreneurship more accessible and sustainable across the Philadelphia region.
Programs like the Growth & Sustainability Plan Pitch are possible because of partners like Citizens—and because of donors who believe that investing in small businesses is one of the most effective ways to strengthen local communities.
When you support Entrepreneur Works, you help:
- create jobs
- stabilize families
- strengthen neighborhoods
- build pathways to economic mobility
- support entrepreneurs who give back to their communities
You are not just funding programs.
You are investing in people—and the places they call home.
Watch the Recap Video
Experience the emotion.
Meet the entrepreneurs.
See what your support makes possible.
Share this story. Start a conversation. Help us amplify the voices of local business owners who are shaping the future of Philadelphia.
An Invitation as We Close the Year
As we approach the end of the year, Entrepreneur Works is preparing to support even more entrepreneurs with coaching, capital, and community-centered programming in the year ahead.
With partners like Citizens and donors like you, we can continue creating opportunities for small business owners who are ready to grow—and for communities that thrive when they do.
If this story moved you, inspired you, or reminded you of the power of small business, we invite you to take the next step.
Make an end-of-year gift today.
Help us support more entrepreneurs.
Help us strengthen more neighborhoods.
Help us build a stronger Philadelphia—together.
