EQS-News

WINNERS of Carver Federal Savings Bank and The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce 2022 Women Business Pitch Competition - Seite 2

After careful review, Princess Jenkins from The Brownstone and Diane Da Costa from Simplee Beautiful were declared the winners for their sustainable investment objectives to reduce waste, save energy, and lower emissions.

Jenkins plans on using the award to help launch a digital catalogue to 5,000 clients which will save over 200 trees and 100,000 sheets of paper per tree. The digital catalogue will help reintroduce the brand and increase annual revenues. The award will also be used for energy efficient lighting, and task lightening to reduce cost and energy consumption.

Princess Jenkins of The Brownstone said, “As the Brownstone celebrates its 24-year anniversary, we mark the loss of Reverend Calvin Butts, and we celebrate that his wife chose The Brownstone to get her dress made by us when they renewed their vows for their 50^th Wedding Anniversary.”

She went on to explain how she and her team considered options to reduce their carbon footprint. “As you know lighting is critical to clothing stores to showcase their wares. We wanted to do more than just lights and, given COVID’s impact on retail, we asked how we could engage our 5,000 clients while saving the environment?” Jenkins concluded, “We found a digital catalogue that would save more than 200 trees – enough to span the length of Harlem’s famous 125^th street – and eliminate the need for 200,000 sheets of paper to produce a print catalogue. The digital approach will make us look ‘super bad’ so our customers can Click, Shop, and Save the environment all at once!”

Da Costa shared that the award will be used to upgrade to LED lighting, a new energy efficient HVAC system, a new low flow toilet system, and sustainable and biodegradable packaging for Simplee Beautiful’ s CBD wellness products. These upgrades will use 75% less energy, reduce water wastage, and support Simplee Beautiful’s commitment to be a sustainable, energy efficient and clean beauty salon and retail boutique.

Diana Da Costa of Simplee Beautiful stated, “This grant builds on our eco-friendly salon practices. Everything in our space is holistic, botanical, and designed to conserve energy. We recognized we were missing a component in our brow section and needed additional lighting for the service.”