Here’s what owner Elston “Jay” Joyner has to say about Battery Express, Inc located in Fort Lauderdale:

I am the owner of Battery Express Inc., the first Black-owned automotive battery company in the United States, and the first in Florida. Battery express is a Black family-owned and operated business. We have been of service for approximately 23 years with the intention of expanding this business in ways we would have never imagined. We plan on manufacturing our own batteries and becoming a distributor, while also opening different locations in Florida.

Battery express offers inexpensive batteries at competitive prices, purchase scrap batteries, and recycle batteries. Not only do we offer many services, but we are also community-oriented. We support local businesses, advertise local businesses and local politicians, and support local community organizations such as sponsoring little league football teams. Being a Marine Corps veteran, my son, and daughter both serve in the Air Force, we proudly give discounts to veterans as well as the local police department.

Listen to his live audio of him finding out he was a winner on HOT105!

Here’s what owner Ozzy Santiago has to say about Air Doctors based in Cutler Bay:

Last year we took the biggest risk of our lives and threw everything we had into opening Air Doctors, a mold inspection company. We were either going to make it or become homeless with two small children. I know that sounds crazy, but we were determined to succeed no matter what.

To this day, we both work 24/7. I honestly sleep about 3-4 hours each night on weekdays to serve our customers and deliver fast service and reports. We have dedicated all our time, resources, and energy to helping people with mold damage in their homes. We absolutely love serving the less fortunate and making a difference. Most people have no idea that most of their allergies and sicknesses originate right at home!

COVID-19 really hurt our business because the quality of the air in your home is not as important when you need to put food on the table and don’t know how. We get it! Air Doctors has now pivoted by offering COVID-19 Decontamination for homes and business. This is a game-changer for people, but they don’t know that we exist, and we do not have the money to market our services. If only people knew that their homes can be sanitized, we could help people feel safer and who knows if we can save lives. All we want to do is help our community and make a difference.

Listen to his live audio of him finding out he was a winner on 99JAMZ!

Here’s what owner Courtney Thomas has to say about ProAm Dance Studio located in Pompano Beach:

Throughout the pandemic, our studios have gone over and beyond for our dancers while still giving back to the community! When we were not able to offer in-studio classes due to the lockdown, our team quickly adapted to online classes and we held live-stream dance classes for the dancers that continued to stay with us. Due to the financial impact of our families, we offered to credit back to our clients. And in the community, we offered a free live-stream dance class that was open to our local schools and also fundraised and donated meals to the frontline workers!

Currently, like many other businesses our studios have been highly impacted during this pandemic. We have lost many clients that are not comfortable taking their children back to dance and/or not financially stable to afford dance right now. Our summer has been slow and our students are unsure of what to do in the fall when our season begins.

In a normal dance season, our studios typically partner with local schools, and sponsor events to get involved in the community and to advertise locally. With many of the events canceled and students e-learning this year it’s going to be more difficult than ever to get new students. Winning this media grant would help our studios gain new students and let the community know that we are following the CDC guidelines, we are being safe, and we are here open for business!

Listen to her live audio of him finding out he was a winner on HITS 97.3!