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 2,006 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
1:57
Bushwick building owner cited for illegal work performed before fire destroyed supermarket, apartments

Bushwick building owner cited for illegal work performed before fire destroyed supermarket, apartments

1:44
Cool and cloudy with mild temperatures for NYC; tracking thunderstorms midweek

Cool and cloudy with mild temperatures for NYC; tracking thunderstorms midweek

1:26
Police: Cyclist struck by car overnight in Bushwick in critical condition

Police: Cyclist struck by car overnight in Bushwick in critical condition

1:24
Lawmakers crack down on theft against small retail, businesses owners in Brooklyn

Lawmakers crack down on theft against small retail, businesses owners in Brooklyn

0:24
Police: Man injured from overnight shooting in Brownsville

Police: Man injured from overnight shooting in Brownsville

New York City National Teacher Appreciation Week Photos

New York City National Teacher Appreciation Week Photos

1:15
NYPD: 23-year-old woman struck by B41 bus in Downtown Brooklyn

NYPD: 23-year-old woman struck by B41 bus in Downtown Brooklyn

1:35
4th annual People's Ball returns to the Brooklyn Public Library

4th annual People's Ball returns to the Brooklyn Public Library

1:43
Interested in transforming public pool sites in New York City? Here's how to submit your ideas

Interested in transforming public pool sites in New York City? Here's how to submit your ideas

2:09
Riverdale Restaurant Week kicks off for the season

Riverdale Restaurant Week kicks off for the season

0:32
NYPD: Man pistol-whipped taxi driver in Olinville, fired shots at vehicle; suspect sought

NYPD: Man pistol-whipped taxi driver in Olinville, fired shots at vehicle; suspect sought

0:30
Zibanejad has 2 goals and 1 assist, Panarin scores as Rangers beat Hurricanes 4-3 in Game 1

Zibanejad has 2 goals and 1 assist, Panarin scores as Rangers beat Hurricanes 4-3 in Game 1

1:53
Ditmas Park residents fed up with only building elevator being out of service for a year

Ditmas Park residents fed up with only building elevator being out of service for a year

1:48
Mott Haven art exhibit celebrates Indian Arrival Day

Mott Haven art exhibit celebrates Indian Arrival Day

1:48
FDNY: Rooftop fire spreads into apartment in Crown Heights

FDNY: Rooftop fire spreads into apartment in Crown Heights

1:22
Early Red Nose Day festivities kick off in Dumbo

Early Red Nose Day festivities kick off in Dumbo

2:06
Community-run green space needs help to keep produce growing

Community-run green space needs help to keep produce growing

2:13
FDNY: 1 critical, firefighter injured in East Flatbush apartment fire

FDNY: 1 critical, firefighter injured in East Flatbush apartment fire

2:06
New guidance says women need to be screened for breast cancer at 40 or younger

New guidance says women need to be screened for breast cancer at 40 or younger

2:00
Families devastated after learning 2 Brooklyn Catholic schools will be shutting down

Families devastated after learning 2 Brooklyn Catholic schools will be shutting down