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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 9,2021
SAN Group Welcomes M&T Multicultural Small Business Innovation Lab Toni DuBois Agency, LLC Pitch Competition Winners Announced Hampton, NH - Satellite Agency Network (SAN) Group, Inc., the largest alliance of independent insurance agencies in the Northeast, is pleased to announce that Toni DuBois Agency, LLC of Buffalo, NY has joined the network. Founded in 2014, the Toni DuBois Agency offers a full range of insurance services including auto, home, renters, business owners, life, health, and disability. The office is located at 1439 Main Street and primarily serves the communities of Buffalo, Rochester, and surrounding areas. The agency also holds licenses in the states of New York, Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Montana. Insurance specialists offer personalized service to both English- and Spanish-speaking clients and teach a DMV-approved Certified Defensive Driving Course to assist customers in reducing the cost of their auto insurance. The agency also employs students from local colleges and the Mayor’s Summer Youth Internship Program, providing job experience and mentoring future insurance agents and employees. “I'm excited to partner with SAN Group,” said agency owner Toni DuBois. “We pride ourselves on providing knowledgeable advice and outstanding service with transparency and honesty. Together with SAN, we are now able to offer a greater number of options to our clients and community.” DuBois has over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry and was the first African American woman to own a Farmers Agency in the state of New York. She is a graduate of Medaille College in Buffalo, NY with a B.S. in Business Management, and holds the LUTCF designation. DuBois is active in her community, frequently spearheading fundraising events and presenting for local groups.
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hree Black-owned, Buffalo-based businesses were named the winners of M&T Bank’s Multicultural Small Business Innovation Lab pitch competition and were awarded prize funding to accelerate their growth. Franketta Willoughby Daycare was the top winner and received a $5,000 prize grant. Alicia and Alisa Officer of Unapologetic Coffee received the second-place $3,000 prize, and Brianna Clemons of BCW Dispatching and Consulting Group secured the $2,000 prize.
Alicia and Alisa Officer launched Unapologetic Coffee
-ProfilesFranketta Willoughby Daycare: Born and raised in Buffalo, Franketta Willoughby started her daycare company in 2015, recognizing the need to help single parents access high-quality, affordable care for their children. As the pitch competition’s top winner, Willoughby plans to use her prize funding to improve and grow her space so she can accept more children, hoping to expand from serving three to eight families in the next six months. She also wants to launch a website and improve her marketing. Unapologetic Coffee: Inspired by their grandmother’s generous spirt and love of coffee, Alicia and Alisa Officer launched Unapologetic Coffee to make specialty coffee more accessible to Black and Brown people in Buffalo. Shedding light on the lack of representation in the coffee industry, the Officer sisters will provide a high-quality product in a welcoming environment while educating their customers and making them feel valued and appreciated. Unapologetic Coffee produces Fair Trade, small-batch coffee roasts and sells their products to other businesses and directly to consumers via online sales and subscription services. The company plans to use its prize funding to expand their social media marketing capabilities
Franketta Willoughby Daycare
Brianna Clemons of BCW Dispatching and Consulting
BCW Dispatching and Consulting Group: A company that contributes to the global efforts to improve the efficiency of supply chains, BCW Dispatching and Consulting Group partners with owner-operator truck drivers to provide back-office services that empower drivers to maximize their deliveries and revenues. Led by CEO and Fleet Manager Brianna Clemons, BCW lives out its motto – “Focus on the road while we focus on you!” – by helping owner-operators secure freight, negotiate rates, plan routes and remain in compliance with regulations. With its prize funding, Clemons will explore upgrading BCW’s software and technology and hiring more dispatchers.
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Running a business is difficult enough without a pandemic. But, when you add that to the mix of challenges, it can be overwhelming. Thankfully, the Women’s Business Center at Canisius College offers free programs to all WNY women-owned businesses through their “ReConnect. ReStart. ReGrow.” initiative. Visit our website to find out how the WBC can help you.
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