Three Girl Entrepreneurs Win Big in First-Ever 'Girl Starter' Competition

NEW YORK, June 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Girl Starter, a transmedia company that provides platforms to amplify girls in entrepreneurship and business leadership, announced the winners of its first hit reality-competition TV show on Friday, June 2.

The winning team, made up of three artists-turned-entrepreneurs, Tiffany Carvalho, Darrel Kennedy and Olli Payne, pitched a new app, Tolli, that would help artists, like themselves, network and find job opportunities.

"Given our backgrounds as artists, the idea grew naturally," said Payne. "I think we won the competition by conveying our passion for the ideas we put forward. I've learned firsthand that passion is critical when launching a business."

Team Tolli received $100,000 of seed funding and services to help turn their business concept into a reality.

"This has definitely been a transformative experience for me," said winner, Darrel Kennedy. "I think I speak for all of us when I say that I can't wait to continue growing Tolli into something truly special."

"Girl Starter" helped guide contestants through six steps of early-phase business building: start it, plan it, prove it, build it, brand it and fund it. The girls participated in entertaining challenges and had help from key mentors and vibrant guest stars along the way.

"It's important for young girls to be reminded that they have the potential to do great things in the world of business," said the company's co-founder and CEO, Jeannine Shao Collins. "The idea behind 'Girl Starter' is to empower girls to become the next generation of female business leaders and innovators. I think we proved that's possible with this show."

"I hope that through 'Girl Starter,' we've inspired young girls everywhere to take risks and have the confidence to launch their own business," said Carvalho. "I feel so fortunate to think that I can have that kind of impact."

"Girl Starter" is built on a sponsorship-based business model integrating brands throughout the series, website and tour. Staples, Inc. is the presenting sponsor and other key sponsors include: Visa, Vera Bradley, Microsoft, Air Force, Pilot Pen and Klarbrunn Sparkling Water.

Staples, Inc. was so impressed by the runner-up team of Neha Raman and Claire Coder that the company rewarded the group with $10,000 worth of marketing services to launch their business, thoughtFULL cookies. As part of the partnership, Staples CEO Shira Goodman appeared on the final episode as a guest judge and also announced the winning team. Additionally, Barbara Bradley Baekgaard, who, upon hearing the announcement of the winner, donated another $10,000 in funding from Vera Bradley for the runners up.  

ABOUT GIRL STARTER
Girl Starter is a revolutionary transmedia entertainment and technology company that activates, amplifies, mentors and funds the next generation of female business leaders and innovators. Anchored by a reality television series that had its premiere season on TLC from April 28 to June 2, 2017, "Girl Starter" aims to reach young women everywhere with actionable content via social media, a digital platform, GirlStarter.com, and a 10-city live tour throughout the U.S.

ABOUT AL ROKER ENTERTAINMENT
Al Roker Entertainment is a leading producer of original, award-winning TV programs and digital content. Led by 13-time Emmy award–winning TV personality and trusted multimedia authority Al Roker, ARE produces all forms of content for distribution across a variety of platforms around the world including: broadcast, cable, digital, OTT and streaming technologies.

Launched in 1994, ARE has produced a variety of breakthrough unscripted, scripted and digital programming for such top cable networks as the Weather Channel, Food Network, Discovery Channel and Lifetime, among others. Shows include the Weather Channel hit "Coast Guard Alaska" and its popular spin-offs "Coast Guard Florida" and "Coast Guard: Cape Disappointment-Pacific Northwest." Recently, the company also produced the reality-based "DEA" program for Spike TV, "Kimberly's Simply Southern" for GAC, "Celebrity Holiday Homes" for HGTV and digital programs "The Graduates NYC" for Aspire.tv and "BizWireTV" in partnership with Business Wire. Recently, Al Roker formed Roker Media to develop programming for live-streaming video platforms, and Roker Labs to develop data and analytics for live-streaming brands, programmers and platforms.

ABOUT STAPLES, INC.
Staples brings technology and people together in innovative ways to consistently deliver products, services and expertise that elevate and delight customers. Staples is in business with businesses and is passionate about empowering people to become true professionals at work. Headquartered outside of Boston, Mass., Staples, Inc. operates primarily in North America, with additional offices in South America and Asia. More information about Staples (NASDAQ: SPLS) is available at www.staples.com.

Contacts:
Ed O'Donnell 
[email protected]

SOURCE Girl Starter