Shoshana Cronin: Shoshi35
Shoshi35 is an online retail shop for second-hand and vintage goods. I sell nationwide online and at local events. I’ve always had an interest in fashion but growing up in a time of unprecedented over-consumption and intentional obsolescence within the garment industry, retail shopping left me feeling guilty and uninspired. Many fashion enthusiasts feel similar, and there is a growing market for those looking for more ethical ways to shop.
What sets my store apart is my unique editorial aesthetic, the scarcity of the goods I provide, as well as my commitment to customer service and presentation. With over 500 5-star reviews and more than 2,000 garments sold, I’m confident in the success of my business. I source much of my inventory from thrift stores, as well as garage and estate sales. Each piece is handpicked, cleaned, and repaired where needed. I want to give people the opportunity to indulge in fashion and expression while exploring options that lift our community and planet up rather than creating further waste.
Teba Lowe: True Shine Home Service
Whether it's your home or business, True Shine Home Service is your best choice for exceptional cleaning you can trust. Based in Champaign, Illinois, True Shine is a professional cleaning company committed to transforming everyday spaces into spotless sanctuaries. Founded by Teba Lowe, a dedicated entrepreneur and healthcare professional, True Shine began as a personal passion and quickly evolved into a trusted brand known for reliability, eco-conscious practices, and top-tier service.
We proudly use and offer our own line of eco-friendly cleaning products, designed to keep your space clean and your environment safe. From busy professionals to families and business owners, we're here to make life easier—and a lot shinier. I'm ready to bring a professional, personalized cleaning touch to your home or business.
Juliano Baptiste: StopSavvy
StopSavvy is my visionary mobile app concept designed to revolutionize public transit for commuters worldwide. StopSavvy will deliver location-based alerts to ensure riders never miss their stop, freeing them to work, read, listen to music, or relax stress-free. Targeting urban transit users globally, it addresses a universal need for productive, worry-free commutes.
Our revenue model leverages Google AdMob for non-intrusive ads, like post-trip ad breaks, with a $32.99/month ad-free premium option for flexibility. What sets StopSavvy apart from navigation-focused apps is its focus on passive commuting, offering smart, customizable alerts that enhance relaxation and productivity. With 6.9 billion annual transit trips in the U.S. (Federal Transit Administration, 2023) and a global market projected at 4.1 trillion passenger kilometers by 2027 (Statista), StopSavvy taps into a massive, growing opportunity.
My mission is to provide peace of mind for transit users, ensuring no one ever misses a stop again, creating a legacy of confidence and convenience for commuters everywhere. Join us in making transit stress-free.
Roy Rodgers: Everything Must Go Entertainment Group
Many of us know a musician who deserves a shot at the big time, but very few of us know a musician who has had an opportunity to take that shot. Everything Must Go Entertainment Group is here to help! How do we help?
We help by providing branding, marketing, merchandising, content creation and much more. If you know an amazing artist, send them to me, and I will give them the tools they need to go from a flickering artist full of potential to a fiery force of talent!
Colby Crowley: Crowley Exteriors
I'm Colby Crowley, a 19-year-old business owner. Throughout high school, I balanced playing sports during the year and working with my dad at my grandfather's painting company every summer. It was tough, physical work—long hours, early mornings, and hot days.
The summer before my senior year, I received a speeding ticket. My dad said I had to work for the painting company to pay off the ticket, but once I returned to work painting houses, I realized this wasn't going to be my career path. With my experience on ladders and roofs, I saw an opportunity—and that's how Crowley Gutters got started. I turned a $213 speeding ticket into one of the best opportunities of my life. What started as Crowley Gutters, a small operation focused on gutter repair, clean-outs, and gutter guard installation, quickly grew as I realized I was capable of offering so much more.
With growth came a new vision, and in 2025, l rebranded as Crowley Exteriors. I now specialize in all exterior home maintenance, including gutter cleaning, spring/fall cleanups, and exterior power washing services for roofs, houses, decks, and concrete driveways/sidewalks.
I've built this company on a few core principles: quality workmanship, delivering outstanding service, and always putting my customers' needs first. As a result, I've built lifelong, family-like connections. Most importantly I strive to make sure everyone in the 217 area code knows Crowley Exteriors is number one! Today, I proudly serve a growing list of over 50 clients from across Central Illinois, including Monticello, Mahomet, Champaign, St. Joseph, White Heath, Fisher, and more. What began as a simple way to pay off a fine has turned into a business, I'm proud to build every single day. Call now for a FREE estimate at 217/766-3806.
Jeremias Perez Luquis: Justa's Coffee Break
Justa's Coffee Break will be a café located at Parkland College in Champaign. Justa's Coffee Break will focus on coffee, even though it will offer other types of beverages such as tea and juices to provide service to people who don't drink coffee. Because it is located in Parkland College, customers will be guaranteed to have in mind people like to try new things, especially things close to them.
Justa's Coffee Break will import different types of coffee from all over the world to provide international students with coffee from their countries to make them feel welcome and remind them of home. Not every coffee needs to be consumed alone, because of its location, there's already a table set where people can drink their coffee and eat cookies and muffins being offered as well.
Open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Justa's Coffee Break will give a chance to those who have classes in the morning as well as people who have class in the afternoon. Justa's Coffee Break will not only be just another coffee shop, but it will also be a safe place where people from all over the world can come together and connect with each other, a place where anybody can feel welcomed.
Ajanya Curtis: Paw Palace
I look forward to welcoming you to my business, Paw Palace, where we will provide you and your fur baby with the most love and care possible. Paw Palace is a doggy daycare where we provide your dog with all the comforts of home. Whether you need us to take care of your dog daily or board them for a weekend or longer, our quality of service will be the best.
We accept all dogs no matter their size and will love and care for your dog as if they were our own. We have a thorough intake service to learn as much about your dog as possible to make sure they have an amazing visit to the Paw Palace. Call today to reserve a spot for your dog. We look forward to serving your doggy care needs.
Maria Paola Ayala Afanador: Pueblito Nature
My name is Maria Ayala, originally from Colombia. I started a small business focused on selling chocolate products and handcrafted goods sourced from remote regions of Colombia, mostly impacted by armed conflict and narcotraffic. Chocolate is one of the world's most beloved foods, and through this venture, I aim to highlight not only its unique flavor but also to support small-scale cacao farmers and indigenous artisan communities by sourcing products directly from them, ensuring fair trade practices and a sustainable impact. My deeper purpose is to empower these communities and preserve their cultural and agricultural heritage.
I plan to expand the business across Illinois, eventually establishing retail locations in multiple cities and introducing more people to the richness of Colombian cacao and craftsmanship.