WCEC Women’s Business Center Hosts Annual Business Pitch Competition

Chatham, NJ, May 13, 2025 – The WCEC Women’s Business Center hosted their 7th Annual Business Pitch Competition on May 8th in celebration of National Small Business Week. Five emerging entrepreneurs shared their businesses in front of an audience of community resources, funders, and supporters. The morning culminated in awards to the top presenters, recognizing their dedication and growth potential.

Held at Eisenhower Corporate Campus in Livingston, NJ, the pitch event featured 5 start-ups nurtured through the WCEC’s programs that include webinars and tailored one-on-one business counseling. They were awarded cash prizes up to $1,000, which for some, served as their first capital infusion and an official soft launch of their New Jersey based small business. Among those pitching were Sharon Burrell owner of On Demand Charging, Andrea Harvey owner of Dre’s Beauty Supply, Correne Khan owner of Give Her SPACE, Celestine Taieb owner of Source Compost, and Claudia Vargas Arenas owner of Jardín Homes.

Assemblywoman and Budget Chair Eliana Pintor Miran delivered a keynote address, emphasizing the importance of entrepreneurship. “For me, being an entrepreneur is about freedom. Freedom to live life on your terms, raise your family the way you envision, and shape your financial future. You experience ups, downs, hard times, and fabulous times, but having each other to lean on is what matters most.” Her words resonated with attendees, highlighting the role of small business innovators in driving the growth of New Jersey’s community and economy.

"Winning this competition affirmed the value of my work with Jardín Homes. I’m grateful to the WCEC for the opportunity to share my story, sharpen my goals, and stand alongside women who are shaping what entrepreneurship looks like in NJ." said Claudia Vargas Arenas, founder of Jardín Homes and first place awardee.

"This event celebrates the innovation of our entrepreneurs while linking them to key resources like funders, law firms, and government offices. We’re thrilled to see the growth and potential of these small businesses fostered through WCEC programs, and all the SBA Women’s Business Center supporters " Rana Shanawani, Executive Director, WCEC Women’s Business Center.

The success of this event reflects the invaluable support of our sponsors, who help create pathways for local business owners to access the knowledge, vital resources, and funding they need to grow. This year’s sponsors included: PNC, PSEG, BCB Bank, Brown Rudnick, New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), Affinity Federal Credit Union, and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC).

The WCEC Women’s Business Center is proud to support New Jersey’s entrepreneurs as they launch and grow businesses that strengthen our local economy. For more information on upcoming programs and events, visit www.wcecnj.org.

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About Women’s Center for Entrepreneurship Corp.

The Women’s Center for Entrepreneurship Corp. (WCEC) is a registered 501c3 nonprofit. As a resource partner for the U.S. Small Business Administration, the WCEC’s mission is to empower women & men to invest in themselves via entrepreneurship by providing necessary resources to successfully start, own, operate, & grow their businesses. The WCEC works with businesses at the start-up stage and existing small businesses looking to scale up by providing educational resources, business counseling, and technical assistance. For more information, visit www.wcecnj.org

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