A COMPETITION FOR YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS GRINDING TWICE AS HARD IN SOUTHWEST BALTIMORE. IN MEMORY OF TROY RUSH JR.

2X is a showcase bringing together young entrepreneurs in their association with The Food Project to present their business ideas to professionals in the region who will act as judges.  Each of these judges comes to the table with $500-$1,500 (or more) to “invest” in the ideas that they deem have the most merit.  Each youth entrepreneur has been teamed up with a business professional to mentor them through this process and beyond.

This competition follows the guidelines set forth in The Food Project’s Community Based Education for Community Based Enterprise program.  This program works with at-risk youth giving them training, education and opportunity.

This Competition is in Memory of Troy Rush Jr., whose motto was “Grind Twice as Hard”, hence 2X.  The Food Projects seeks to make this an annual event.

THANK YOU
to all to our mentors and judges that have advised and supported our youths’ business plans and strategies.

Donate to our community panel that will put the investment towards the best business pitches of the night that represent the 2X creativity, grind and drive.

Questions call 443-690-1694

Youth Entrepreneurs

BUSINESS #1
BORN 2 GRIND “B2G” Media Company
Tyree is a talented rapper with drive to succeed. His goal is a music label. He is building his performances, videos, merchandise and music sales to increase visibility that will lead to a contract. He brings energy and fun merchandise to his audience.

BUSINESS #2
HUMBLE-N-GRIND Daycare
Tyshae’s goal is to create a daycare for young mothers in SW Baltimore so they can have the opportunity to finish achieving their dreams. Affordable and professional child care for our next generation of powerhouse women.

BUSINESS #3
SEEDY NUTTY Snack Company
Demonte is the production manager for Seedy Nutty a social enterprise providing food production jobs to youth in SW Baltimore. His goal is to grow accounts and take the business to the next level and take it national to provide more jobs to those looking for an alternative to the streets.

BUSINESS #4a
BLACK DASH Vending Company
Dion has worked hard to launch his vending company and is looking for support to buy new machines and create his own snacks. He wants to acquire new machines and get them wrapped. Eventually would love to build his own machines.

BUSINESS #4b
BLACK DASH The Grind Drinks
Dion has created a revenue stream for his friends to create custom drinks that change flavors. His friend Geezie had developed Angry Grape, Money Juice and Fly Orange with Troy before he passed. It is important to them to keep them going. Tyshae has Pucker Up Lemonade. Each flavor can generate $60/wk from ea machine. So as Dion grows their flavors and side hustle will grow.

BUSINESS #5
AMARION KOUTURE Apparel & Beauty
Kamora loves fashion and showing the power & beauty in every young woman. She wants to develop a skin care and clothing line called Amarion Kouture Apparel
…to show the fierce beauty inside every girl.

BUSINESS #6
HAIR LIFESTYLE Custom Wigs and Accessories
Kianna wants to create custom styles of wigs, bags and hair bands. She wants to appeal to other queens who love to live the hair lifestyle. Goal is to create 3 wigs for her portfolio.

BUSINESS #7
CLEAN Cleaning Service
Megan is a young mother in SW Baltimore that LOVEs too clean. I have always wanted to start our own cleaning business to help other people who struggle with cleaning or simply just want things to sparkle. They are looking for large commercial jobs.

BUSINESS #8
D.U.M.M.Y Bike Repair
Trevon’s team of riders and mechanics want to start a mobile motor bike repair shop for scooters & motorcycles. They need a truck, trailer & tools. The goal would be to grow the business to a physical location in #21223.

BUSINESS #9
1 Way REAL ESTATE
Teon Rogers has a goal to fix & flip abandoned properties on our streets in Baltimore City and make more shelters for homeless people who have nowhere to go. His goal is to raise enough money to purchase and close on a property. In the meantime he would like to get his real estate license and a job where he can learn the business.

BUSINESS #10
Brothers Hope Mentoring Program
Alfonso Austin wants to form a mentoring non profit. He is already there everyday for the kids in the community, talking to them, making sure they are in school. He sees the need to get them out of the neighborhood so they can see there is something more.

BUSINESS #11
Milan’s Kitchen
Tayshawna

BUSINESS #12
Sip-n-Vibe Mobile Bar
Amber

BUSINESS #13
The Grind Morning Hustle
Tayshawna, Amber & Christina

Judges:

A judge commits to be a part of a panel to review the youth entrepreneurs’ presentations. The judges will give feedback to each and will donate towards the contestant(s) they feel have potential to succeed.
($500-1500 to participate as a judge.
Donation can be spread among the contestants of your choice.)

Spring 2022 Judges

Dave Silbert, Executive Director
So What Else

Kosmas Koukoulis, Restauranteur
Cafe Mezzanotte & Uncles Hawaiian

Jason Bennett
Realtor, Coldwell Banker Realty
Owner, J Properties LLC

Sean Hutchins, Realtor
Agent, Atlas premier Realty
Team Leader, The Hutch Group

Chris Dipnarine, Owner
4MyCiTy

Nkenge Yasin, Owner
Learning How Daycare

Jeremy Landsman, Owner
REBA Holdings

Nicole Orr, Owner & Operator
A&C Pack and Ship, LLC

Larry Sumerville II, CEO & Founder
TR Fitness Cap Patent

Phillip Niles, Chief Technical Officer
TR Fitness Cap Patent

Roxanne V. Whitaker, Realtor
Keller Williams Keystone Realty

Bob Schless, President
So What Else

Mentors:

A mentor will work with a youth entrepreneur to advise on their business plan and strategy. They will guide them towards what is needed to build a successful business idea and prepare them for the April 4th pitch. Follow up after the pitch is encouraged for a period of time afterwards.

Lamontre Randall, Manager of Neighborhood Strategy
Innovation Works

Jason Bennett, Realtor, Owner
Coldwell Banker Realty
J Properties LLC

Sean Hutchins, Owner
Atlas premier Realty. The Hutch Group

Chris Dipnarine, Owner, Inventor
4MyCiTy

Nkenge Yasin, Owner
Learning How Daycare

Nicole Orr, Owner & Operator
A&C Pack and Ship, LLC