Numi Organic Tea Founders Honored as Entrepreneurs of the Year
Jersey City, NJ (PRWEB) November 17, 2014 -- Last Thursday, co-founders and siblings Ahmed and Reem Rahim received the Entrepreneurs of the Year Award for their business, Numi Organic Tea, during the Third Annual Start Something Champions Gala, hosted by Jersey City nonprofit Rising Tide Capital (RTC). The entrepreneurs were honored for their inspirational leadership within the multi-billion dollar tea industry and dedication to creating all natural products, a values-aligned business and for pursuing Fair Trade and Fair Labor practices.
Hosted at the Hyatt Regency on the Hudson, Rising Tide Capital also honored the Paul and Phyllis Fireman Foundation, New Jersey City University and Whole Foods Market. Each organization was recognized for their dedication to entrepreneurship, job creation, setting the industry standard in sustainability and their commitment to supporting undeserved communities.
“Rising Tide Capital inspires entrepreneurs to live their dreams and, more importantly, gives them the tools, training, and access to financing to succeed. I feel inspired! It’s a great honor to receive this award tonight. It means we’ve created something that has inspired others,” said Numi Organic Tea Co-Founder Ahmed Rahim.
The Champions Gala is the culmination of RTC’s Start Something Challenge which empowers New Jersey entrepreneurs to network, perfect an elevator pitch, gain exposure and win business financing. The Gala convened 250 local and national entrepreneurs to honor and award $25,000 in cash prizes to the Start Something Challenge winners. In three years, The Champions Gala has raised more than 1 million dollars in funds to support entrepreneurship development in underserved communities throughout New Jersey and provide scholarships for struggling entrepreneurs to receive business training through the Community Business Academy (CBA).
“This year’s Champions Gala recognizes all engines of our local economy, from small business owners such as first place winner of the Start Something Challenge Ninotchka Johnson, to a national leader like Walter Robb who received the Market Maker of the Year award on behalf of Whole Foods Market,” said CEO of Rising Tide Capital Alfa Demmellash. “ Their size and scale might be radically different, but it takes businesses of all sizes to promote a healthy, thriving economy.”
Rising Tide Capital (RTC) is a Jersey City-based nonprofit organization founded in 2004 by Harvard graduates Alex Forrester and Alfa Demmellash. RTC helps entrepreneurs start and grow successful businesses by providing a 12-week Community Business Academy—supplemented by year-round workshops, coaching and networking events. These programs are currently offered in Spanish and in English in four cities across Northern New Jersey: Jersey City, Newark, Union City, and Orange Township. As of January, 838 entrepreneurs have graduated from the CBA and together, they operate over 403 businesses in New Jersey. RTC’s model of entrepreneurship development has received national recognition from President Obama to CNN Heroes.
To learn more, visit http://www.RisingTideCapital.org.
Shanea Phillips, Rising Tide Capital, http://www.risingtidecapital.org, +1 (201) 432-4316 Ext: 117, [email protected]
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