News

Kiera Kupsho receives Chamber’s Young Innovator of the Year award sponsored by CAN BE

Kiera Kupsho was recently honored by the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce as the recipient of the 2024 Young Innovator of the Year award. This award, sponsored by CAN DO's entrepreneurial arm, the CAN BE Innovation Center, has been presented annually by the Hazleton Chamber since 2018.

The award was presented to Kiera on May 28th at the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce’s 48th Annual Academic Banquet at Four Blooms.

Kiera, a Hazleton Area Academy of Sciences senior, was selected for her growth and commitment to innovation. In addition to participating in the Inaugural Management 215 Penn State Hazleton Dual Enrollment class, Kiera was also a finalist two years in a row for the tecBRIDGE High School Business Plan Competition. This year, she and fellow schoolmate Kiara Vasquez dazzled the judges with their passion for an international cuisine-inspired meal subscription box dubbed “Global Grub.”

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Retro Dough brings a taste of nostalgia to the Hazleton Kitchen Incubator

The Hazleton Kitchen Incubator welcomes its newest client, Retro Dough: Pierogi and Specialty Foods LLC. Founded by John Carsia, his wife Alyssa, and his sister-in-law Celena, Retro Dough stands out in the area by bringing a nostalgic flair to the culinary scene, celebrating timeless flavors and community gatherings.

For John Carsia, a Hazle Township native, entrepreneurship has always been a dream, and opening a food business seemed like the perfect opportunity. "Ever since I was young, I can't help but 'pretend' whenever I am in the kitchen that I am running a bustling food establishment," he shares. With Retro Dough, this childhood dream became a reality, blending culinary creativity with cherished family values.

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Corey Buchman, MMI Preparatory School, and Gabriel Garcia-Adon, Hazleton Area Academy of Sciences, named winners at 2024 tecBRIDGE Annual Award Ceremony

The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and thriving throughout the Greater Hazleton area, as evidenced by the remarkable performance of local high school teams during the 2024 tecBRIDGE Business Plan Competition Award Ceremony. The event, which took place last week at the F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre, PA, saw two teams from the Greater Hazleton area advanced to the finals, with one team scoring an overall win.

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Kimberly Nailed It LLC opens in Hazleton with the help of CAN BE virtual services

Starting a small business is never easy, and for many, the thought of being a business owner seems impossible. However, with the right mentors and resources, it becomes possible to turn that dream into a reality. That is precisely how Kimberly Ray found herself launching Kimberly Nailed It LLC, a brand new up-and-coming nail salon in the Hazleton area that celebrated its ribbon-cutting on May 9, 2024.

Ray's recently discovered passion for entrepreneurship has been fueled by her lifelong love for art and beauty. Growing up, her older sister let her do her hair and makeup and even encouraged her to attend beauty school at the Jolie Health & Beauty Academy in Hazleton after graduating high school.

While studying cosmetology, one thing became clear: nails were her passion. “I’ve always been artistically inclined and have enjoyed drawing and painting, so it makes sense that I love to do nails,” she said. “The hand-painted nail art I do really makes my heart soar, and I love to see people so excited about the results when I’m done.”

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