Natural Wellness with Nurse April Wins Startup St. Bernard!
ST. BERNARD PARISH, LA – The St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation (SBEDF) is thrilled to announce that Natural Wellness with Nurse April has taken home the grand prize in the 10th annual Startup St. Bernard pitch competition. The event, held on August 22 at Nunez Community College in Chalmette, saw an impressive turnout, with a packed house enjoying an afternoon of exciting pitches and vibrant community engagement.
"The preparation for an event like Startup St. Bernard is immense, and it’s truly a collective effort,” stated SBEDF Board Chair, Zeljko Franks. “This year, we were honored to have three incredible finalists, each with high-quality business pitches that showcased their potential to make a significant impact. Their hard work and dedication reflect the values we cherish in our community."
Natural Wellness with Nurse April emerged victorious, winning a prize package valued at over $100,000, which includes a mix of cash and in-kind services designed to support and accelerate the growth of this promising startup. The other finalists, BodyFlow Hydration and Grow GreenFingers, also received $5,000 each for their outstanding presentations and innovative business concepts.
Attendees also heard inspiring testimonials from past winners who have gone on to achieve significant success. Nicole Goldin, founder of CORE Counseling and Recovery, and Franziska Trautmann, co-founder of Glass Half Full, shared their experiences of how winning Startup St. Bernard helped propel their businesses to new heights. Both highlighted the invaluable support and exposure gained through the competition, which played a critical role in their continued growth and success within the St. Bernard community.
"Startup St. Bernard is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit thriving in our community. Over the past decade, this program has not only provided a platform for innovative businesses to launch and grow but has also created a lasting impact on St. Bernard Parish by fostering economic development and strengthening our local economy,” said Meaghan McCormack, Chief Executive Officer of SBEDF.
Natural Wellness with Nurse April is led by Nurse April Pilet, a certified natural healthcare consultant. The center in Arabi, LA, specializes in colon hydrotherapy, wellness consultations, and other natural health services. The goal is to boost overall health through personalized natural wellness solutions, promoting a holistic approach to well-being. Nurse April also offers educational workshops and resources to empower clients with knowledge about natural health practices. She plans to expand the selection of services offered and use the prize money to train and hire staff, as well as renovate the existing space to accommodate a substantial increase in clients.
The finalists were selected by an independent scoring committee from Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program. The grand prize winner was selected by a panel of expert judges, including Allen Square, Founder and CEO of Square Button Group; Desiree Young, Founder and CEO of Venture Walk Business Partners; Emily Egan, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Tulane Lepage Center; Jon Atkinson, CEO of Idea Village; and Kris Khalil, Executive Director and BioFund Managing Director of New Orleans BioInnovation Center. The event was emceed by Randi Rousseau, news anchor at WGNO and a proud Louisiana native, who kept the energy high and the audience engaged throughout the competition.
The event's success would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors, including Associated Terminals, Biz New Orleans, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, Capital One, Cox Communications, Design Hart Studio, Foster Design Co, Frederick J. Sigur Investment Company, Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Co., Hancock Whitney, Jones Walker, Leadership St. Bernard, Nunez Community College Foundation, Ochsner | St. Bernard Parish Hospital, Ochsner Ventures, OUTFRONT Media, PBF Chalmette Refining, Richie Lewis, SSE Steel Fabrication, St. Bernard Chamber of Commerce, St. Bernard Parish Government, St. Bernard Tourist Commission, St. Bernard Port, Harbor & Terminal District, Turn Services, and Valero Meraux Refinery.
SBEDF extends our deepest gratitude to all who participated, attended, and contributed to making the 10th annual Startup St. Bernard an unforgettable event. Congratulations to Natural Wellness with Nurse April and all our finalists for their exceptional work.
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About the St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation
St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation (SBEDF) is the official economic development organization and public-private partnership of St. Bernard Parish formed to create and retain jobs, build prosperity, and improve quality of life. To learn more about SBEDF and how the organization works to foster business attraction, retention and expansion, neighborhood revitalization, small business assistance, and talent and workforce development in St. Bernard Parish, sbedf.org.
