We are incredibly excited to welcome our newest group of BALSA Grant recipients. On April 9, we celebrated another ten inspiring entrepreneurs at our BALSA Grant Award Ceremony held at Greater St. Louis Inc. This event marked a significant milestone as we recognized their hard work and dedication to their ideas and businesses. This year, we are pleased to announce an increase in our cash award to $1,500, which will be offered alongside mentorship and networking opportunities to the ten first-time entrepreneurs.
Learn a little more about the winners below:
Living Blyss – Plant-based health coaching and meal prep delivery business.
Blaze & Capture Events – An events business that creates memorable experiences with interactive props, instant prints and digital sharing.
Katuni – A business that focuses on anime t-shirts, celebrating Black anime characters, promoting diversity and cultural representation.
J.R Candle Company – A candle company that creates eco-friendly, toxin-free home fragrances that inspire, uplift, and promote sustainability.
Juice Be Happy – A faith-based business catering to healing individuals through the power of cold-pressed juice.
SportRoots – An organic, comprehensive beet-based pre-workout powder rooted in science and designed for elite and everyday athletes.
Smart Counseling Solutions – A consulting business that exists to inspire intentional wellness for individuals and organizations.
Divine Noire Creations– Handmade soy candles celebrating Black culture, sustainability, and scent therapy for rest and joy.
Sky Is the Limit Cleaning Services –A black owned, family owned, woman-led cleaning company servicing elderly, temporarily disabled, homes as well as businesses and airbnbs.
Misfits Clothing Boutique – An emerging full-service boutique offering quality women’s apparel at an affordable price.
The BALSA Foundation has been supporting St. Louis' entrepreneurs since its inception following the Ferguson protests. Our mission has always been to promote social equity and prosperity by empowering first-time entrepreneurs with the resources and support needed to start and grow their businesses. Over the last ten years, the BALSA Foundation has helped almost 250 businesses thrive, contributing to a stronger, more inclusive community.
We are excited to see how these Grant recipients will grow and contribute to the St. Louis economy as they continue on their entrepreneurial journey. The next round of the BALSA Grant will open on July 1, 2025 and we look forward to continuing our work to close the racial wealth gap and empower local entrepreneurs.
We are grateful for all our supporters, mentors, judges, and partners who make this work possible. Together, we are building a brighter, more prosperous future for St. Louis.
