Penn Hills, Verona businesses among those selected for Comcast RISE grants

Penn Hills resident Renee Galloway opened a business in 2011, making ready-to-order treats for clients.

The self-taught baker operates Sweet Inspirations at her home and locally delivers her treats but makes some exceptions to ship them to customers. She looks forward to finding a storefront for her business after being selected to receive a $10,000 grant.

“It is going to make a tremendous difference in my small business,” she said.

Comcast announced July 26 it awarded more than $1 million in grants to 100 small Allegheny County businesses. The recipients are among 9,500 selected across the country.

The grant is a part of Comcast’s RISE (Representation, Investment, Strength and Empowerment) program, an initiative aiming to support small businesses owned by women and people of color, including Black, Indigenous, Hispanic and Asian-American owners.

Galloway is excited about looking for a possible new home for her bakery. She said she plans to expand on her goal of dropping off samples of her pastries to restaurants lacking a pastry chef. Her signature treats include pound cake, pecan pie bars, red velvet cake and sweet potato pound cake.

Two other businesses in the Penn Hills area also were selected.

Sara Kostelnik, owner of Jade Scott Design in Penn Hills, celebrated her five-year business anniversary in June. Her business is a residential interior design company primarily focusing on decorating.

“I am excited and grateful. It came as a surprise,” Kostelnik said.

With her business being a one-woman show, Kostelnik hopes to use some of the grant toward hiring an employee.

She said she looks forward to the growth and hiring opportunities for the grant. She is most excited about the consulting services included in the grant, whether that is through a website update or a social media marketing strategy to ensure the proper audience is being reached.

“I am really looking forward to professional insight on how to retarget my audience,” she said.

Pinks Tiny Paws owner Patty Thomas runs a dog day care and boarding facility in Verona. She takes in dogs 20 pounds and under. The pink theme comes from Thomas being a 14-year breast cancer survivor.

She said the grant will help her with daily expenses and rent. She said she wants to update her eCommerce presence.

“I am excited beyond words. I never thought I would get picked,” she said.