Intersect Fund feeds the regional economy, from the roots up

If you missed the Intersect Fund’s Holiday Bazaar held at the New Brunswick Hyatt December 10th, not to worry. Their clients plan to be in business for a long time to come.

The Intersect Fund is the brainchild of Joe Shure and Rohan Mathew, graduates of Rutgers University. While editors at the Daily Targum, the student-run Rutgers newspaper, they watched many local businesses struggle with the changing demographics that New Brunswick’s revitalization program had brought.

Joe and Rohan saw an opportunity to apply some of the skills they had learned at Rutgers and help their community. With a small grant from Magyar Bank in September of 2008, the Intersect Fund was born.

Today they boast a roster of ninety clients. The Fund provides services ranging from their eight week “Build Your Business” course to graphic design, micro loans, and even a tax preparation course. Originally conceived to assist business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs in the New Brunswick area, the Fund now works with clients throughout central New Jersey.

 

The businesses spotlighted at December’s event showcased an interesting range of products and philosophies.

Glass blowers Sean and Marin Lewis, recent graduates of the Intersect Fund’s business course, timeshare a glass blowing studio in Hillsborough. Sean says time sharing was an idea from the Fund’s classes, as the kilns required for glass blowing are beyond the financial reach of most start-ups. On Center Glass offers a range of products and classes, from a three hour class creating paperweights to group events where participants choose a project to create in a party atmosphere.

Timesharing a work space has also helped Ruby Wesley realize her dreams. A Taste of Rubies is a specialty bakery with an internet storefront. Ruby has a time-share agreement with a local bakery where she uses their facilities to produce her goods, and they serve as a pick-up point for clients ordering over the internet. The bakery she shares space with also benefits from the fixed income Ruby provides to them. Both businesses specialize in different product lines, and so complement rather than compete with each other.

 

Social responsibility is a big theme with the Intersect community, and Zakiyia Forbes is an excellent example. She began the Lounge Society in 1999, selling handmade soaps, jewelry items and essential oils, but her real passion is philanthropy. The majority of her storefront in New Brunswick is dedicated to a clothing bank for the community’s underprivileged families.

Zakiyia is quick to admit that if it were not for the Intersect Fund helping her to focus on her business it would not still exist. She chose the Intersect Fund because of their shared commitment to the local community.

Hillsborough resident Delicia Alarcon was on hand to promote her company, d.Saks. Delicia is an 18 year old high school student and winner of the Somerset County Business Partnership’s Young Entrepreneur Award. She began d.Saks to promote artisans in her native Paraguay, and she stresses the environmental responsibility her products represent. She contacted the Intersect Fund to assist her in expanding her business to include new product lines such as other textile products and jewelry.

Delicia’s goals include an apprenticeship program and retail outlet with a worldwide reach for local artisans producing environmentally responsible crafts.

Joe and Rohan have also integrated current Rutgers students into the staff of the Intersect Fund, providing them with valuable real-world business experience. Visit their website at www.intersectfund.org to see how you can help make a difference.

- Lorri Matusiak-Lindsay