(L-R): Second runner-up in the BankUnited Small Business Big Dreams Women in Business Challenge Tamika Bickham of Miami Shores, founder and chief storyteller of TB Media Group; Lisa Shim, BankUnited senior executive vice president and head of consumer and small business banking; grand prize winner Sydney Hughes of Davie, founder and CEO of Senior Proof; and first runner-up, Michelle Sing of Homestead, founder of LCT-E Learning Solutions. (photo credit: BankUnited)
Three women-owned small businesses won more than $20,000 in small business grants awarded by BankUnited as part of its annual Small Business, Big Dreams: Women in Business Summit, held recently in honor of National Women’s Small Business Month.
“On behalf of everyone at BankUnited, we congratulate the winners of our Small Business Big Dreams Challenge, which shines a spotlight on the unique accomplishments of women business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs,” said Lisa Shim, BankUnited senior executive vice president and head of consumer and small business banking. “Relationship-building is at the heart of what we do at BankUnited, and we are pleased to help business owners thrive as they work to realize their dreams.”
Nearly 100 women business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs attended the summit to network and hear from inspirational speakers, including Rachel Sapoznik, founder, president, and CEO of World Insurance Associates; last year’s grand prize winner, Ivelices Linares Thomas, founder & CEO, HR & Beyond; Ramola Motwani, chairwoman, Merrimac Ventures; and Marie Gill, founder and CEO, M. Gill & Associates.
A culmination of BankUnited’s Small Business, Big Dreams Challenge, ten women business owners were chosen as semifinalists and invited to present their business pitch at the Summit to a panel of BankUnited executives; three finalists were selected to advance to the live pitch round.
(L-R): Lisa Shim, BankUnited senior executive vice president and head of consumer and small business banking, moderated a panel of guest speakers at the BankUnited Small Business Big Dreams Women in Business Summit, including Ivelices Linares Thomas, founder & CEO, HR & Beyond; Ramola Motwani, chairwoman, Merrimac Ventures; and Marie Gill, founder and CEO, M. Gill & Associates. (photo credit: BankUnited)
Taking home the $15,000 grand prize was Davie businesswoman Sydney Hughes, founder and CEO of Senior Proof. Inspired by her time as her father’s caretaker, she started her Plantation-based fall prevention company that now serves customers throughout Florida. Senior Proof estimates it has helped prevent nearly 15,000 falls through its free safety evaluations, customized action plans and expert installation of safety features that adhere to ADA and CAP guidelines.
Awarded $5,000 as first runner-up, Homestead businesswoman Michelle Sing drew on her personal experiences as a Jamaican American, who felt misunderstood in the educational system, to create LCT-E Learning Solutions, a progressive educational consultancy based in Miami. LCTE Learning Solutions brings together cutting-edge technology with cultural proficiency to create tailored teacher training programs that empower educators to bridge cultural gaps and boost literacy skills.
The second runner-up prize of $2,500 was awarded to Tamika Bickham of Miami Shores, founder and chief storyteller of TB Media Group. A former news reporter at ABC Channel 10 in Miami, Bickham channeled her talent for storytelling into an award-winning video production company that helps purpose-driven brands amplify the impact they make in the world through compelling, documentary-style video content.
For more information about how BankUnited serves small businesses, please visit https://www.bankunited.com/
About BankUnited, N.A.
BankUnited, Inc. (NYSE: BKU), with total assets of $35.4 billion at September 30, 2023 is the bank holding company of BankUnited, N.A., a national bank headquartered in Miami Lakes, Florida that provides a full range of banking and related services to individual and corporate customers through banking centers located in the state of Florida, New York metropolitan area and Dallas, Texas and a comprehensive suite of wholesale products to customers through an Atlanta office focused on the Southeast region. BankUnited also offers certain commercial lending and deposit products through national platforms. For additional information, call (877) 779-2265 or visit www.BankUnited.com. BankUnited can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/BankUnited.
