Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) named 20 small businesses as winners and finalists of the Wells Fargo Works for Small Business®: Neighborhood Renovation Program Contest, which ran from May 1 – June 16, 2017. Each business will receive a physical makeover including architect-advised renovation planning and design.
“Wells Fargo is thrilled to award 20 inspiring small businesses with renovations that hold the promise of both transforming each of the businesses, and making a positive impact on their neighborhoods,” said Doug Case, Wells Fargo Small Business Segment Manager. “Through our Wells Fargo Works for Small Business: Neighborhood Renovation Program Contest, we’re building on our long history of community outreach and track record of forging strong relationships with small business owners across America to help them succeed financially.”
Small business owners in designated neighborhoods/ZIP codes in Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami and Minneapolis were invited to enter by completing a contest application, and writing an essay responding to four questions about their business on wellsfargoworks.com/renovation. A panel of judges, including some from each city, reviewed the entries and selected one grand prize winner per city to receive up to $25,000 in business renovations, and three finalists per city to each receive up to $10,000 in business renovations. Wells Fargo launched the program in collaboration with Rebuilding Together, a premier nonprofit organization focused on rebuilding communities in need across the country, which will help complete the renovations. To assist with renovation planning and design, architects in each city agreed to contribute their services pro-bono as part of the contest, including The Samuel Group in Atlanta and Houston, Marchi + Associates in Los Angeles, Carty Architecture in Miami and MSR Design in Minneapolis.
Winners and Finalists:
Atlanta
– Dynamic Group Management (doing business as Kick Start Martial Arts)
– Twelve Studios, LLC
– T & J Investment Group (doing business as TZ AUTOMOTIVE)
– 382 Web Enterprises (doing business as Virgin Hair Depot)
Houston
– Doshi House
– Best Mini Market
– Chapman Food Market
– Kaffeine Coffee Internet & Office Café
Los Angeles
– Jordan’s Hot Dogs
– Brooklyn Deli & Mini Market
– Morris Media Studios
– Poise Madame Kofo’s African Boutique
Miami
– Libreri Mapou Book Store
– Bousa Brewing Company
– Shrimp Wings & Things, Inc.
– Tender Loving Care Community Thrift Store, Inc.
Minneapolis
– Hope & Healing Counseling Services, LLC
– Ibrahim Restaurant
– Mississippi Mushrooms LLC
– Wendy’s House of SOUL, Inc.
In November, Wells Fargo will host small business community events in each of the five cities to showcase the renovations and engage the broader community of small business owners.
