Now that’s what we’re talking about: HSN has chosen a woman from Saddle Brook, N.J. — our old stomping ground in Bergen County — as one of five finalists in its Project American Dreams initiative. And Hispanic no less!
The finalists will launch their products during a special edition of “The Monday Night Show with Adam Freeman” next week.
HSN worked with entrepreneur and Dreamers Ventures creator Liliana “Lili” Gil Valletta and Bob Circosta, “TV’s Billion Dollar Man,” to search for new and exciting products from Latino/a entrepreneurs to launch on HSN.
The finalists were selected from nearly 100 applicants for the opportunity to launch their products on HSN and reach a national audience, according to a press release Monday.
They include Jersey Girl Hipatia López, who created the patented invention the Empanada/Pastry Fork, making it up to five times faster to shape and seal anything from empanadas to calzones, apple turnovers and more. Loves us some empanadas and calzones.
The other finalists are:
Juan Luis Pedro Sánchez (Madrid, Spain) who created the patented KeepFresh Sheets, offering a natural and chemical-free way to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables, keeping fruits fresher longer.
Frances Prado (Jamul, California) who created the patented Hanging Secrets, offering women a new solution to hang, organize, protect and find their lingerie at home or on the go.
Victoria Flores (New York City), who co-created the patent-pending Lux Beauty Club’s GLAM-N-GO Hair Bun, “providing natural and inexpensive off-the-shelf hair buns and hair extensions uniquely constructed to fit and match almost any hair color.”
James and Kathryn Smith (Dallas, Texas) co-created the patented Giraffe Razor Extension Handle, “offering a solution to people limited in flexibility and mobility by adding 15 to 20 inches to a razor handle and an easy pivoting head that rotates for personalization and convenience.”
U.S. Bank, the presenting sponsor, has been there alongside the winners, providing mentoring to each finalist. It has a strong commitment to small-businesses as the third-largest lender of Small Business Administration loans in the country, providing $838 million in SBA loans last year.
U.S. Bank will sponsor the winners for a chance to attend the Stanford Latino Entrepreneur Leaders Program (SLEP), if qualified and take part in an immersive six-week program that provides the education, networks, mentorship and access to capital to grow their business.
If qualified, up to three winners will be selected to participate in the Access Latina women-entrepreneur accelerator program, and one winner will receive a cash prize by U.S. Bank, as part of a social media challenge that rewards the contestant with the most hashtag votes via Twitter and Instagram.
