PIDC BLOG

AAPI

September 23, 2024

How Queen & Rook Mastered the Game of Small Business Success

In the age of smartphones, streaming services, and video games, it’s easy to forget the charm of face-to-face interactions and the simple joy of sitting down to play a board game. But there’s a place in Philadelphia that is keeping the beauty of board games alive: Queen & Rook Game Cafe.  Queen & Rook opened

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Black-Owned

August 29, 2024

Shop PHL: Black-Owned Businesses

Shopping at Black-owned businesses is a powerful way to support economic equality in your own neighborhood. Approximately 40 percent of Philadelphians are Black or African American, according to the 2020 census, yet they only account for 5.4 percent of businesses in the city. At PIDC, we’re continually working with our partners to increase that number

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AAPI

May 29, 2024

Optimal Physical Therapy Gym Brings High-Quality Healthcare to Underserved Communities

If you’ve ever suffered from chronic pain or faced a difficult road to recovery following an injury or surgery, you understand just how important a good physical therapist can be. Unfortunately, everyone does not have the same access to high-quality healthcare and Dr. Binh Nguyen, DPT, COMT, FAAOMPT made it his top priority to change

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AAPI

May 29, 2024

Mayfair Family Dentistry—Creating Smiles and Fostering Community

Healthy oral hygiene is critical, not just for a winning smile, but for your general health and wellness. From preventing and treating cavities to detecting early signs of diseases like diabetes and cancers, dentists play a crucial role in our health. Mayfair Family Dentistry is a mainstay in the Mayfair neighborhood of Northeast Philadelphia. The

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Black-Owned

May 21, 2024

PIDC plays key role in the development of ACANA’s Africa Center

Southwest Philadelphia’s Africatown is a thriving commercial and cultural corridor for the city’s booming immigrant populations from Liberia, Senegal, and other African and Caribbean countries. ACANA, the African Cultural Alliance of North America, is at the forefront of development in the community. The nonprofit recently started construction of the Africa Center, a social services and

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Black-Owned

April 24, 2024

Beyond Beauty — Hair Du Jour Salon’s Journey to Success

Hair Du Jour Salon is a cut above the rest. Inspired by her aunt’s support and the desire to provide others with the opportunities she had, Ann Turner embarked on her entrepreneurial journey, establishing her West Philadelphia salon in 2015.  This black-owned salon takes inclusivity seriously. With a commitment to quality services for anyone, Hair

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Furry Friends

April 11, 2024

Unleashing the Potential of Wag Days Philly

If you’ve taken a stroll through any Philadelphia neighborhood lately, you’ve likely noticed you’re sharing the sidewalk with more than just your neighborhood humans. Dogs rule this city, with pups living in almost one-third of all homes in Philly. Anyone with a dog knows they’re more than just a pet, they’re family. So, when you

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Client Stories

March 20, 2024

Move, Breathe, Thrive — The Growth of Monarch Yoga

Amid the uncertainty of COVID-19, while many businesses were pausing operations, one small business dared to defy the odds and  set up shop. Monarch Yoga emerged as a respite from the stress and loneliness many of us felt during the pandemic. Michelle Dillon opened Monarch Yoga in June of 2020 to answer the call for

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Black-Owned

March 20, 2024

Mixing Business with Family: Cathryn’s Cake Salon Finds Recipe for Sweet Success

In Philadelphia’s West Oak Lane neighborhood, there’s a bakery that’s about more than fresh cakes, pastries, and desserts; it’s about family. Cathryn’s Cake Salon is a testament to the power of family-owned businesses.  Inspired by Fluellen family matriarch Cathryn, the bakery is a true family affair. Cathryn’s Cake Salon is powered by mother Cheryl Foat

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Black-Owned

March 14, 2024

Amazing Kidz Academy Celebrates 10 Years in Business

It’s no secret that there are lifelong benefits to early childhood education. Children who attend preschool are not only more likely to succeed in kindergarten, they’re successful throughout their entire school experience and beyond. Lisa Smith and Clarence Morris III, co-founders of Amazing Kidz Academy, know how important preschool education is to early childhood development

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Black-Owned

February 23, 2024

Spotlighting Black-owned Businesses During Black History Month—and all year long

This Black History Month, we’re honoring the achievements of Black business owners throughout Philadelphia, who help power our city’s economy and provide anchors for our neighborhoods. PIDC works every day to provide business owners the tools, knowledge, connections, and financing they need to reach – and exceed – their business goals.  As a celebration of

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SHOP PHL

June 28, 2023

Shining a Spotlight on Local Immigrant-owned Businesses

Updated June 17, 2024 This Immigrant Heritage Month, we honor the diverse cultures and contributions brought forth by immigrants to Philadelphia’s communities by featuring some of our PIDC client businesses that are immigrant-owned. From one of Philadelphia’s first all-grain brew-pubs to a manufacturing company producing 100% nutritional vegan foods, these businesses weave their heritage into

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Client Stories

March 17, 2023

Client Feature: Highway Construction Company Olivieri & Associates Expands by Purchasing Available Land in Eastwick

PIDC client, Olivieri & Associates, is a woman-owned heavy-highway construction company founded in 1999 with notable projects that include the historic street reconstruction of the 300 block of South Philip Street, which won the 2019 Preservation Achievement Award from the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia. Olivieri & Associates also just completed the PennDOT Riverfront Gateway Sidewalk Design Project along

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Black-Owned

March 17, 2023

Client Feature: H&Mcare Breaks Ground on $13M Project for Home Care Support Services

Last month, PIDC client H&Mcare – a Black- and immigrant-owned home care support services business – celebrated a groundbreaking at 71st and Woodland Streets in Southwest Philadelphia. The $13 million project will provide critical services for the community, including housing to more than 22 individuals over the age of 65, an urgent care, a pharmacy, and residential

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Client Stories

March 17, 2023

Client Feature: Made Institute Fashion School Celebrates 10 Years in Business

Made Institute Fashion School CEO, Rachel Ford, started teaching couture sewing classes out of her live/work loft space in the Old City neighborhood in 2012. She wanted to share techniques she had learned working 10 years at the Philadelphia Opera to this city’s growing number of makers and designers.   Now, after 10 years in business, Made

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Client Stories

February 21, 2023

PIDC Client Spotlight: Silvia’s Bakery

PIDC client Silvia’s Bakery is a Hispanic-, immigrant-, woman-owned bakery that specializes in making Dominican cake, Hispanic desserts, custom cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and cake pops from scratch.  Owner Silvia Paulino grew up in a family of entrepreneurs. Her mother was a seamstress, and her father owned a grocery store in the Dominican Republic in which she often

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Black-Owned

August 25, 2022

CLIENT FEATURE: YOWIE

PIDC client YOWIE is a Black-, woman-, and millennial-owned home and life shop focused on curating small collections from founder Shannon Maldonado’s friends, independent artists, and designers. Founded in 2016 as an online business, YOWIE attracted a cult following for its eclectic items and workshops and events. Shannon relocated from New York City to open

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Black-Owned

August 24, 2022

PIDC Clients You Need to Know – Millennial Business Owners

This month, we’re recognizing our incredible PIDC clients who are millennial business owners. Millennials have contributed greatly to the new and innovative landscape of the business model as we know it – from embracing digital media to getting creative with e-commerce. Millennials were a big driver of Philadelphia’s population growth prior to the pandemic. According

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