unleashing
national impact
igniting local
transformation
Imagining a world where amputees can seamlessly grip, hold, and release objects, Marins Med is shopping the future of prosthetics. For Suzen and Darryl DuBre, this wasn't just an entrepreneurial dream — it is the personal mission driving Marins Med toward an impactful future.
Suzen DuBre, a lower limb amputee, and Darryl DuBre, a 30-year upper limb amputee, lead Marins Med with unwavering determination and a passion for innovation. Their most recent patented device, the ProHensor, embodies their commitment to pushing the boundaries of what prosthetics can achieve.
The ProHensor is more than just a prosthetic; it's a game-changer in the world of upper limb prosthetics. Now a fully endorsed trademark, this remarkable terminal device incorporates a user-actuated locking and unlocking mechanism, providing unprecedented control and functionality to amputees. With the ProHensor, amputees can seamlessly grip, securely lock, easily hold, and quickly release objects of various shapes and sizes.
What sets Marins Med apart is their approach to innovation. They actively involve amputees throughout the research, development, and testing phases to ensure that the ProHensor addresses their individual needs and desires. Marins Med has prioritized user experience, emphasizing comfort and natural movement with aesthetically pleasing design. Its user-centered design approach is the foundation of its success, allowing Marins Med to create prosthetics that can seamlessly integrate into daily living.
While working tirelessly on product development and testing, Marins Med needed a solid business foundation and a helping hand to ensure a high-growth, stable future for their venture.
"The SBDC has been instrumental in providing invaluable support to our start-up business. Their dedicated team of professionals has offered us personalized assistance, helping us develop a solid pitch deck, identify funding opportunities, and connect us with mentors and industry experts. We are grateful for the Small Business Development Center's unwavering commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and fostering the growth of small businesses like ours."
To bring their vision to life, Marins Med turned to the Delaware SBDC for guidance and support. Participating in Delaware SBDC's iDEa Lab cohort over 8 weeks, Suzen and Darryl practiced the WKI Method: So What, Who Cares, and Why You? Delaware SBDC staff continued as a sounding board for Suzen and Darryl as they commercialize and apply for funding, working with their advisor one-on-one for grant application and proposal review. Refining their market strategy and funding opportunities, and ideating alongside innovative peers, Marins Med pushed forward.
The DuBre's dedication to business development has matched their motivation to help others — while designing and refining the next generation of prosthetic technology, they worked hard to grow their capacity, scout out well-rounded advisory board members, work on financial projections, product development and manufacturing, and develop a comprehensive business plan. SBDC Advisors offered advice, training, and connections with the local innovative ecosystem in Delaware, and soon, Marins Med was seeing results.
Taking the leap to apply for funding opportunities, Marin's Med was awarded Delaware's prestigious Technology EDGE Grant for $100,000 in early 2024!
Marins Med has also achieved some remarkable milestones outside of funding — the ProHensor has been patented, recognizing its groundbreaking design and potential to transform lives. Their functional prototype and manufacturing plans bring them one step closer to product delivery, and the connections to innovation-minded peers and advisors are nurtured into strong partnerships.
Marins Med's journey is a testament to the power of innovation and the importance of support from organizations like the Delaware SBDC. We're looking forward to seeing the DuBre's dream come alive for amputees worldwide, meshing impact with innovation for the next wave of prosthetic technology. By empowering amputees and pushing the boundaries of prosthetics, Marins Med is shaping a brighter future for individuals with limb loss.
In March 2020, just as the world was bracing for the unexpected challenges of a global pandemic, Dee Ridgeway took the plunge and launched SpaceJammit—a revolutionary cloud-based file-sharing platform. Even amidst a changing world, Dee's vision was crystal clear. SpaceJammit was designed to solve a common digital dilemma: sharing massive files seamlessly across devices, regardless of platform.
Whether you're working with Insta360 videos, audio files, GoPro footage, PDFs, or presentations, SpaceJammit makes sharing a breeze with no need for file recipients to create an account. With an emphasis on convenience and user experience, the platform ensures content retains its original high-quality resolution, whether it's shared to Apple/Mac, Android, or Windows.
Launching a tech business during a global crisis is no small feat. But Dee knew SpaceJammit had the potential to change the game for mega file-sharing, and all that was needed was some strategic guidance. Reaching out to the Delaware SBDC for support, SpaceJammit found its home among iDEaLab program participants under the guidance of Elyce Hall and Lou DiNetta, the SBDC's Technology Business Advising team.
"With SBDC—you can fly like an eagle, roar like a lion, and swim like a shark. You can be great."
With Elyce and Lou's expert advice, Dee gained customized support on product strategy and customer acquisition through Delaware SBDC's iDEaLab. From refining growth strategies to zeroing in on the ideal target audience, Dee was equipped with a plan to propel SpaceJammit forward. The resources and insights provided by Delaware SBDC were, as Dee puts it, "influential to being successful."
"When I met Elyce Hall and Lou Dinetta, I already had a live product and a small user base," Dee recalls. "But I wanted more — I wanted to increase brand awareness and grow my subscriber base."
From those well-driven early startup days to today's wide-reaching platform, SpaceJammit has proven that with the right vision and support, even the sky isn't the limit.
Recently, SpaceJammit celebrated the launch of its platform through the App Store, Play Store, and any web browser—a huge milestone in any startup journey! Growing a dedicated user base is going well, with Space Jammit stepping up on social media and getting the brand in front of new eyes.
Dee's hard work during iDEaLab and dedication to developing a strong brand have positioned SpaceJammit as a rising star in the tech world. "With SBDC—you can fly like an eagle, roar like a lion, and swim like a shark. You can be great," Dee says, reflecting on the journey. And with SpaceJammit's seamless file-sharing solution now available across app stores and web browsers, greatness is exactly where SpaceJammit is headed.
Tesha McDonald isn't just opening a school; she's creating a beauty revolution.
Opening Alternatives Beauty School was fueled by Tesha's extensive experience in the beauty industry and a deep desire to empower others. For Tesha, "Next Level Cosmetology" isn't just a catchy phrase; it's a new approach to beauty education that's all about inclusivity, community service, and preparing students for successful careers in the beauty industry.
Alternatives Beauty School sets itself apart with a curriculum that emphasizes natural hair care techniques for all hair types. No matter the student's ethnicity, everyone learns the skills that cater to all hair types. As Tesha sees it, this approach is about "preparing students to serve a diverse community with confidence!"
Not only was Tesha facing a re-design of cosmetology education — she was gearing up to start a business. Tapering down her personal clientele to take on more management responsibilities, Tesha sought a viable location for the school, partnerships that benefited her students, and began crafting a business plan.
"If you need help or resources starting your business, go to SBDC; there you will get the help you need."
Navigating the complexities of starting a business can be daunting, but with the guidance of SBDC advisor Ms. Audrey Scott-Hynson, Tesha found the clarity and resources she needed. "Meeting Mrs. Audrey was a God-send. Her knowledge is undeniable," Tesha reflects, appreciating Ms. Audrey's effort to physically visit the beauty school a few times before it opened its doors.
With a strong background in beauty as an author of 7 books and a community superhero, she was ready to inspire and empower the next generation of beauty professionals. Tesha had "no doubt that Alternatives Beauty School will help lots of people." She worked with her SBDC advisor to refine her business plan, access funding, and get her business established.
Citing the invaluable support of her family, friends, community members, and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Tesha navigated numerous meetings with bankers, brushing up her applications, business plan, and other materials to stay ready for the next 'yes' on her business journey. "If you need help or resources starting your business, go to SBDC; there you will get the help you need."
After months of setbacks and personal sacrifice, Tesha secured an SBA loan, helping to fit out the new home for her venture. Entrepreneurs and support organizations familiar with the process know that this is no small feat — Tesha's hours of patience, preparation, and planning gave Alternatives Beauty School the boost it needed to refresh the space and prepare for an impactful future.
With a solid foundation from expert beauticians like Tesha, graduates are able to pursue licenses in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. As students sharpen their skills, Tesha has positioned the school to give back — each student is required to create a wig for donation to local clinics or hospitals, supporting patients facing hair loss due to conditions like alopecia or cancer.
Beyond the classroom, students benefit from field trips to NYC hair shows and sessions with celebrity stylists, offering valuable industry exposure. Moving directly into employment, graduates can work on-site at Alternatives Beauty Studio with a 9-month contract to build up their clientele. Tesha playfully remarks, "I'm sure I'll be reaching out to SBDC for help with other projects, like teaching the students about business!"
Celebrating with Tesha at the Grand Opening of Alternatives Beauty School, Ms. Audrey joined Tesha's entrepreneurial support system for a tour of the beautiful new space in October of 2024. We're excited to see Alternatives Beauty School blossom and continue to support Tesha in her latest venture!
