Chamber Honors Ex-offenders Pursing Business Dreams
Tichina Clark of Taste Buddies LLC is the winner of the 2020 Indy Chamber ReEntry Entrepreneurship Development Initiative. (Photo Credit: @Conradusa)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Indy Chamber has awarded this year’s winner of the 3rd annual ReEntry Entrepreneurship Development Initiative, a business pitch competition for ex-offenders.
This year’s winner is Tichina Clark, who created Taste Buddies LLC in 2018. The company provides healthy, home-style meals with fresh, grab and go options.
Clark started taking the REDi five-week training course while incarcerated in the Indiana Women’s Prison.
The Indy Chamber said Clark won over the judges with Taste Buddies’ business model featuring a variety of grab-and-go soups, salads and desserts in mason jars.
“I have been really impressed with Tichina’s growth as an entrepreneur. Tichina has been working with the REDi program since June 2019,” said Neil Metzger, REDi program manager.
Metzger said since her release, the chamber and the Business Ownership Initiative have continued working with Tichina on her business model through one-on-one coaching.
Tichina Clark took home this year’s top prize consisting of $2,500 and a package of professional services from the event’s sponsors.
REDi’s goal is to help reduce the number of people returning to prison by providing technical business training and education to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals.
The other two finalists include:
- Daniel Higgs of 1 of a Find LLC, an antique shop with a treasure trove of collectibles, rarities and one of a kind finds.
- Tiara Peoples of Hari Hair Extensions LLC, a beauty supply store that provides hair extension products.
Click here to learn more about the program.