PURCHASE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Today Mastercard announced Rachel Estapa, Founder of More to Love Yoga, as the winner of its Grow Your Biz Contest in support of Bank of America Business Advantage, which called all Boston area small business owners to pitch how they planned to grow their business for the chance to win $25,000 and one-on-one business expert advice.
Entrants were asked to submit a 30-second video online or via Twitter using the hashtag #GrowYourBizContest answering the question, “How do you plan to grow your small business?” Four finalists were selected and pitched their business to the Grow Your Biz Panel in-person at District Hall on Monday, December 4th. After a thoughtful deliberation the panel selected one grand-prize winner, More to Love Yoga.
“I am so honored to have More to Love Yoga win this incredible opportunity,” said Rachel Estapa, Founder of More to Love Yoga. “I am thankful that Mastercard and Bank of America valued the backbone of our local community small businesses. With this support now more people are able to experience More to Love’s ability to transform lives no matter their size.”
Rachel Estapa found that the clientele at boutique fitness classes were not always accepting of bigger individuals, so she created More to Love, a supportive and empowering way to practice yoga. She rents space at the Somerville Art Armory, a community center that caters to artists of all types.
“The Grow Your Biz Contest challenged small business owners to show how they planned to use innovative tactics to grow,” said Kevin Kelly, New England Small Business Division Executive of Bank of America. “We are thrilled the program gave us the opportunity to meet these ambitious small business owners and provide them with the guidance and tools they need to achieve sustainable growth.”
Whether with inflatable pubs, inspiring mindfulness, beautifully styled hair, or organic baby products, each finalist showed their unique value and how they planned to grow their business. To learn more, you can watch the “Grow Your Biz Contest” finalist videos here.
“The ultimate goal of the contest was to help small businesses grow and be what they aspire to be,” said Ginger Siegel, Head of North America small business, Mastercard. “Together, with Bank of America, we are able to encourage and support small businesses ready to take the next step.”
Mastercard and Bank of America continue to make it a priority to help small businesses grow and expand in smart, innovative and efficient ways. Grow Your Biz Contest is just one unique way of equipping small business owners with the right resources to best drive their business forward.
About Mastercard
Mastercard (NYSE:MA), www.mastercard.com, is a technology company in the global payments industry. We operate the world’s fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. Mastercard products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter @MastercardNews, join the discussion on the Beyond the Transaction Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the Engagement Bureau.
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