Chelsea Chamber honors 10 winners of 2025 Entrepreneur Competition

Jennifer Hassell, executive director of the Chelsea Chamber of Commerce, presented awards to 10 winners of the 2025 Chelsea Entrepreneur Competition at an evening event in Chelsea. The competition, she said, was created after the pandemic and was proposed to the council by City Councilor Manuel Tash to help residents launch businesses. "We have a lot of aspiring entrepreneurs. What can we do to help them?" Hassell said, explaining the Chamber was asked to administer the program.

Hassell described a multi-step program that included workshops on business plans and budgets, pitch practice and a 'Shark Tank'–style judging process. Judges for the event included Omar Miranda (City of Chelsea), Isidra Quinones (director, alumni entrepreneur program, Boys & Girls Club of Boston) and Roman Gold (manager, Margolis Pharmacy). Tom Christoff of SCORE served as a mentor and was singled out for his role in coaching participants.

The Chamber reported 33 applicants were received, narrowed to 15 presenters; judges selected 10 winners. "We will be setting up follow-up appointments [in] three months ... Do you need any extra help?" Hassell said, adding that the Chamber would share judges' comments with all participants. She also noted that nine of the 10 award recipients already have business licenses in the community and that staff will assist the remaining winner to secure one.

City Councilor Manuel Tash, who Hassell said sponsored the ordinance creating the program, urged continued local support for startups. "Maybe $5,000 is not a lot for some people, but for us that know how hard it is to earn that money, it makes all the difference," Tash said, framing the awards as seed support rather than long-term financing.

Winners highlighted at the ceremony included Catherine of Chelsea Botanicals; Monica of Coffeeville; Jessica Wynne of JW Solutions; Nora Vargas; Daisy Mate of Second Home Family (awarded funds to expand her program); Kingsley Amumba of The Theory of Everything; Deborah (whose business focuses on serving Chelsea); and Andy Ramos of AGC Mobile Notary and Services. Hassell praised winners' ties to the community and said the Chamber and the city will host spring and summer events to introduce the businesses to residents and potential customers.

Hassell thanked media partners the Chelsea Record and Chelsea Community Cable Channel and introduced new Chamber board member Jose Abreu of Eastern Bank before closing the program. The Chamber will follow up with winners and report progress to the city and Councilor Tash.