2025 TUSCALOOSA INNOVATES BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION WINNERS

GRAND PRIZE WINNER

$10,000 – School Spirit PR – Lesley Bruinton

School Spirit PR partners with school leaders to champion the good in education through strategic communication so they can inspire trust, engage the community and navigate conflict.

Room 1: First Prize

$5,000 – ArayaSunshine Candle Company – Yolanda Knox and Jasmine Gray

ArayaSunshine Candle Company specializes in handmade scented soy vegan candles, wax melts and room/car deodorizers. They also offer mobile onsite candle making classes, private label and wholesale products. 

Room 2: First Prize

$5,000 – The Cookie Boutique & Bakery – Jasmine Robertson-Warren

The Cookie Boutique and Bakery specializes in made-to-order cakes and cookies, offering local delivery and statewide shipping. With a focus on quality ingredients and expert artistry, we provide desserts that cater to a variety of tastes and occasions. Whether for a celebration or everyday enjoyment, our baked goods are designed to bring a touch of sweetness to any moment.

Room 1: Second Prize 

$3,000 – QuickCuts – Shaliya Johnson and Aliyah Johnson

The QuickCuts App connects clients with nearby barbers and hairstylists for on-demand, in-person grooming services, offering the convenience of booking an appointment anytime, anywhere. By providing a seamless, real-time connection between clients and professionals, we eliminate the hassle of searching for available stylists and waiting for appointments. Barbers and hairstylists can easily set their hours, accept bookings, and manage payments, all through a user-friendly platform. The service is designed to offer both flexibility for professionals and convenience for clients, ensuring quick, quality haircuts and grooming. We’re solving the problem of scheduling and availability while creating a reliable, efficient marketplace for personal grooming services.

Room 2: Second Prize 

$3,000 – B More – Sara Denton Cox

B More is a sustainable apparel micro-factory driven by circular design, using second hand textiles to create unique and sustainable garments.

Our Tuscaloosa-based studio offers low-minimum clothing production services for brands and designers in the West Alabama region. Our mission is to support the growth of local sewists and designers and to meet the increasing demand for quality, ethically-produced, US fashion by investing in domestic apparel manufacturing. 

Room 1: Third Prize

$2,000 – Champion Culinary Company

Champion Culinary Company is a mobile food business specializing in delicious comfort foods, where every bite is a win. Our mission is to bring our initial main offerings of cinnamon rolls and soft pretzels to the underserved local market and expand our comfort food options and services. Our vision is to serve as a vibrant part of the local community by participating in local events and gatherings. CHAMPION takes a winning bite out of this underserved market with our concession vendor and catering services. Connect with us through our website, championculinary.com, and social media, @championculinary.

Room 2: Third Prize

$2,000 – Sweet Dreamz Cafe – Nikeah Leech

Sweet Dreamz Delivered is a local bakery that is transitioning into a small cafe shop. The new name is “Dreamz Cafe” and will offer signature eatz along with our popular treatz. The shop is currently under construction and plans to open in the 69 South area this Spring. With offerings like Beef Doritos Nachos, Sour Candy Grapes, and Gourmet salads; we can’t wait to offer our new menu in a new location! 

Thank You to All the Competitors, Judges, & Facilitators

Judges: Room 1

  • Bobby Bragg
  • Jasmine Brothers
  • Garey Morrison (Facilitator)
  • Leverett Powell
 

Judges: Room 2

  • Caramyl Drake
  • Barkley Garrett (Facilitator)
  • Robert Smith
  • Kelvin Welbourne

All Competitors

  • Araya Sunshine Candle Company, LLC – Yolanda Knox
  • B More – Sara Denton Cox
  • Champion Cullinary Company – Solomon Bolden
  • Dreamz Cafe – Nikeah Leech
  • Evolve – Victor Kimbrough and Jeremy Warmley
  • Gracefully Staged – Synobia Hamner
  • GROW & Flourish Company – Heather Falls
  • HerVestEdge – Ekhorose Aghahowa and Faith Onomeh
  • Le St. Top Tier – Marcus Pernell
  • Myca Mack Beauty – Myca Bell-Mack, Aideija Bell,  JaMaya Coleman, and Zhayia Monroe
  • QuickCuts – Aliyah Johnson and Shaliyah Johnson
  • Sawdust and Splinters – Janet Canoe Vieira
  • School Spirit PR – Lesley Bruinton
  • Shuga Jane’s Baking Company – Ayesia Graham
  • SoGood – Amarachi Okafor and Precious Onah
  • Solo at Sea – Jenny Carter, TeShandria Diggins, and Aaron Hoggle
  • The Black Tie Grooming Lounge – Lorenza James
  • The Cookie Boutique and Bakery – Jasmine Robertson-Warren
  • Tony’s Gourmet Pork Skins – Toni Henderson, Breaunna Henderson, and Lillie Lewis
  • You’re Welcome – David Tubbs

Thank You to Our Competition Sponsors!

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