Veterans ‘Shark Tank’-style event held at Kean University

<p>A group of veterans was at Kean University Wednesday competing for a chance to receive assistance for their small business.</p>

News 12 Staff

Nov 8, 2018, 1:54 AM

Updated 2,002 days ago

Share:

A group of veterans was at Kean University Wednesday competing for a chance to receive assistance for their small business.
Based on the popular TV show “Shark Tank,” “Vet Tank” give eight veterans from New Jersey a chance to get $20,000 from the New Jersey Small Business Development Center.
Contestants included Marine Joey Mac Dizon, who has a mobile cigar lounge business.
“Currently, I'm renovating a 1973 airstream that's 31 feet that people can go smoke in. And I can bring to festivals,” he said.
Marine Sonia Aplonario is looking for help with her videography business. She says that she has 10 years’ experience in video photography and audio engineering.
There is veteran Christopher Costa who has an idea for pocket squares that look like military medals.
“Our product has defeated the crazy patriot veteran stereotype and look to give you a clean way to display your pride anytime, anywhere,” he said.
“Vet Tank” was the finale of a daylong event run by the SBDC to help boost veteran entrepreneurs.
“To help empower our veteran entrepreneurs to propel in business. Even the veterans or military spouses that are thinking about a business or if they're already in an existing business and they want to get more ammunition to...push forward a little bit more. That’s what we're here for,” says the SBDC’s Shy Hopkins.
In the end it was Mac Dizon’s mobile cigar lounge that won the competition.
“And that's why I love working with other veterans. I get to work back in a place with my brothers and sisters,” he said. “That even though we're out of uniform we're still in service to each other and we're helping each other out.”
The mobile cigar lounge is available for hire. Mac Dizon’s other partners are also veterans.


More from News 12
1:29
Elmsford School District addresses elimination of DEI director role

Elmsford School District addresses elimination of DEI director role

2:01
Summer feeling with highs in the 80s tomorrow in the Hudson Valley

Summer feeling with highs in the 80s tomorrow in the Hudson Valley

1:22
Pro-Palestinian protests make their way to SUNY New Paltz campus

Pro-Palestinian protests make their way to SUNY New Paltz campus

0:20
Guy Fieri to host Cinco de Mayo bottle signing event in Yonkers

Guy Fieri to host Cinco de Mayo bottle signing event in Yonkers

0:27
White Plains and Northern Westchester Hospitals given 'A' grades for patient safety

White Plains and Northern Westchester Hospitals given 'A' grades for patient safety

1:33
SUNY officials visit Yonkers to encourage high schoolers to complete financial aid applications

SUNY officials visit Yonkers to encourage high schoolers to complete financial aid applications

Poughkeepsie Police investigate shootings of two teens, shooter at large

Poughkeepsie Police investigate shootings of two teens, shooter at large

0:35
 Woman faces charges in assault incident at Yonkers Montessori Academy

Woman faces charges in assault incident at Yonkers Montessori Academy

1:48
Newburgh charity founder faces federal charges, accused of falsely claiming to be a Purple Heart recipient and stealing from the VA

Newburgh charity founder faces federal charges, accused of falsely claiming to be a Purple Heart recipient and stealing from the VA

0:30
Rockland County's American Eel Project underway

Rockland County's American Eel Project underway

0:41
Sen. Gillibrand announces passage of new bill to fight fentanyl crisis

Sen. Gillibrand announces passage of new bill to fight fentanyl crisis

0:53
Health care workers picket outside Phelps Hospital demanding better conditions

Health care workers picket outside Phelps Hospital demanding better conditions

0:50
Westchester county executive announces $3 million allocated to build affordable housing in Mamaroneck

Westchester county executive announces $3 million allocated to build affordable housing in Mamaroneck

0:33
Changes to recreational striped bass fishing regulations in the Hudson River

Changes to recreational striped bass fishing regulations in the Hudson River

0:39
DEC: Bloomingburg taking ‘corrective action’ to fix major sewage leak into Shawangunk Kill

DEC: Bloomingburg taking ‘corrective action’ to fix major sewage leak into Shawangunk Kill

0:32
Suspect arrested in fatal shooting at unlicensed cannabis store in Mount Vernon

Suspect arrested in fatal shooting at unlicensed cannabis store in Mount Vernon

0:20
Arrest made in Spring Valley stabbing case

Arrest made in Spring Valley stabbing case

0:31
Putnam County man killed in crash following pursuit

Putnam County man killed in crash following pursuit

0:51
Westchester County allocates $3 million for affordable housing in Mamaroneck

Westchester County allocates $3 million for affordable housing in Mamaroneck

2:07
Traffic Alert: Speed limit reduced to 25 mph in White Plains

Traffic Alert: Speed limit reduced to 25 mph in White Plains