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Sixteen graduates of the 2013 Entrepreneurial Assistance Program (EAP) were recognized in a graduation ceremony hosted by the (SSIC) May 17 in Syracuse. In addition to the graduation ceremony, the event featured a business plan competition. First place—and a $1,000 cash prize—was awarded to Size Fabulous, founded by Jasmon Brown.

Since its inception, EAP has trained more than 170 entrepreneurs locally through its curriculum, consisting of training seminars in such topics as public speaking, sales, marketing, QuickBooks, business accounting, social media, human resources and more. This year’s graduates completed 60 hours of class time and 10 hours of one-on-one counseling.

To qualify for the business plan competition, each participant submitted a business plan and made an oral presentation to a panel of judges. Second place, with a $500 cash prize, was awarded to Via Mondo Enterprises, founded by Rosemary Mondo, and third place, with a $250 cash prize, was awarded to Ra-Menes Home Repair & Inspections, founded by Johnny Pertillar.

“The support that the SSIC has provided throughout the process was instrumental,” says Mondo. “I feel very fortunate to have gone through this program—it has propelled my business forward far more than I would have been able to accomplish on my own.”