Tampa – LGBT-certified business Spaulding Decon is the winner of $15,000 in cash and $20,000 in branding and marketing services from Branding for the People. The crime-scene clean-up service was chosen by a team of judges, which included CNBC star Marcos Lemonis, from hundreds of entries.
Laura Spaulding, who started and operates the crime scene clean-up firm, faced two other competitors who stood before the judges to explain their businesses and plans for growth during the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce’s National Business and Leadership Conference.
It was attended by 700 LGBT business owners, from across the U.S. and countries as far away as Argentina, who connected with Fortune 100 companies and learned about federal government contracting opportunities.
NGLCC has already designated Spaulding’s business as an LGBT Business Enterprise, which hallows Spaulding Decon to gain exposure within government and corporate procurement processes either as a contractor or a subcontractor.
“The panel liked that we had 64% growth last year and that we’ve doubled sales every year,” said Spaulding. “It’s especially gratifying to win because I feel I have faced so much discrimination as an out lesbian.
Spaulding said she was discharged from the U.S. Army in 1994 under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” She said, in her case, the policy was used to justify a witch hunt against her and other lesbians.
The biz pitch competition, presented by Wells Fargo and hosted by NGLCC co-founder and president Justin Nelson, was judged by Leomins, host of CNBC’s “The Profit,” as well as Judy Dlugacz, founder and president, Olivia; Chance Mitchell, co-founder and CEO, NGLCC; and Gene Falk, CEO, StartOut.
“I’m going to use the prize money to expand into other markets, such as Miami. We also have a number of national contracts and would like to develop a franchise model to handle those,” she said. “Most of all, I am grateful to NGLCC for the opportunities they have given me to be myself, excel at business and understand how to grow my company in a successful way. They have really helped me make a difference.”
