The WBENC Women of Color Incubator is a premier program for aspiring entrepreneurs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, offering the resources, community, and support needed to turn ideas into thriving ventures. This transformative program goes beyond traditional support, fostering creativity, resilience, and ambition while inspiring future innovators.
The curriculum guides participants through every stage of their entrepreneurial journey, from refining ideas and mastering financial strategies to building prototypes and launching ventures. The program culminated in an exciting Pitch Competition, awarding seed capital and all-expenses-paid trips to the 2025 WBENC National Conference in New Orleans, connecting winners with a network of over 4,000 attendees.
The WOC Incubator Pitch Competition at University of Maryland Eastern Shore was a dynamic showcase of the university’s brightest entrepreneurial talent. We are excited to highlight the three outstanding winners in this article and explore their innovative business ventures.
Pitch Competition Award Winner: Sa’Mya Somervile│Simple Luxury
Simple Luxury is an organic beauty brand that strives to provide clarity and representation for people of color in the beauty care world. With nature in mind, our goal is to grow our produce for our luxury care products, not only enhancing the quality and freshness of our products but also ensuring sustainability and complete traceability from farm to consumer.
Q: What inspired you to start your business?
Wanting to create something bigger than myself inspired me to start my own business. I want to leave a legacy for the future generations of my family.
Q: What challenges are you facing building your business, and how are you overcoming them?
Staying consistent while building something bigger than myself can sometimes be intimidating but remembering that my business can help people keeps me going. Having people ask me for my products inspires me to try new things and encourages me to help more people.
Q: How has being part of the WOC Incubator influenced your approach to entrepreneurship and innovation?
Being a part of the WOC Incubator influenced my approach to entrepreneurship and innovation by opening my eyes to see how far I could go with building my business when allowing me to speak and connect with women of color entrepreneurs, which I would have not otherwise done without being in the incubator. I appreciate every opportunity I had to talk with and ask the successful women of color guest speakers questions regarding their businesses and ventures.
Seeing representation in the business world ignited my imagination and touched my heart.
Q: What key elements do you think made your pitch stand out?
One key element I think made my pitch stand out was knowing the facts about the problems my target audience faces and having a simple solution—Simple Luxury. Another aspect could be being prepared, whether I was ready or not. I was supposed to go second in pitching, but God had other plans, so I went first. Being prepared gave me the opportunity for success, and I am so grateful.
Business Innovation Winner: Rosalina Bray│Major Performance
Major Performance is a leadership and performance consulting company dedicated to transforming team dynamics and optimizing leadership in athletic programs and organizations. The company combines performance psychology with data-driven strategies to help teams achieve their full potential. Major Performance equips athletes, coaches, and teams with the mental resilience, communication skills, and collaboration tools they need to consistently perform at their best.
By leveraging cutting-edge research and customized programs, Major Performance bridges the gap between current performance and desired outcomes. Services include consulting, leadership training, performance psychology, and program development. Major Performance provides teams with a variety of resources including digital training modules and team assessment tools to gain a lasting competitive edge in today’s dynamic sports and organizational environments.
Q: What inspired you to start your business?
I was inspired to start Major Performance after witnessing how strong leadership and cohesive team dynamics could elevate athletic performance during my 30+ years as a coach. My passion for helping teams reach their full potential grew from seeing talented individuals struggle without the right mental and leadership tools. Combining my expertise in performance psychology and organizational leadership, I founded Major Performance to provide teams with the strategies they need to thrive both on and off the field.
Q: What key lessons did you learn from the mentors and peers you met during the WOC Incubator?
The WBENC Women of Color Business Incubator has taught me invaluable lessons that are shaping the growth and sustainability of my business. I’ve learned the importance of scalability and growth strategies, including how to expand operations, enter new markets. I’ve also gained critical financial acumen, such as budgeting, forecasting, and securing funding, to ensure the financial health of my business. One of the most impactful lessons has been mastering storytelling for brand impact, enabling me to craft a compelling narrative that resonates with clients, partners, and stakeholders to clearly communicate the value and vision of my company. These lessons are equipping me with the tools I need to thrive in a competitive market.
Q: Where do you see yourself in one year? How about 5 years?
In one year, I envision Major Performance expanding its reach by partnering with athletic organizations to deliver tailored leadership training and performance optimization workshops. I will have developed strong relationships with sports programs, helping teams enhance resilience, communication, and overall team dynamics. In five years, Major Performance will be a recognized leader in performance psychology and leadership development across various industries, including professional and collegiate sports. We will have a dedicated team of experts providing a comprehensive suite of services, from leadership coaching to performance assessments, helping athletes and organizations reach their peak potential. Through our work, I aim to empower teams to perform consistently at their highest level and lead with confidence.
Q: How has being part of the WOC Incubator influenced your approach to entrepreneurship and innovation?
Being part of the WOC Incubator has significantly influenced my approach to entrepreneurship and innovation by providing me with the tools, mentorship, and community support needed to think strategically and grow sustainably.
The experience has broadened my perspective, helping me refine my business model, enhance my leadership skills, and better understand market trends.
I’ve learned how to approach challenges with a solutions-oriented mindset and find creative ways to innovate within my field. The connections and resources I’ve gained have inspired me to think bigger and bolder as I continue to grow Major Performance.
Audience Choice: Meriam Williams│MK’s Essential Glow Box
MK’s Essential Glow Box is a vending machine business designed specifically for college students who live on campus. Our mission is to make life easier, more convenient, and more affordable for students trying to juggle their busy schedules. Starting at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, MK’s Essential Glow Box will offer a carefully curated selection of products for both male and female students.
Building on my existing hair business, we plan to expand by offering popular beauty and personal care products alongside hygiene essentials, creating a one-stop shop for students on the go. This will ensure that students have quick and easy access to the items they need most, without having to leave campus or spend a lot of money.
Q: What inspired you to start your business?
My goal in life is to positively impact everyone I meet. By making college students’ lives easier, I believe I can make a meaningful difference in the lives of my peers. This desire to create positive change inspired me to start MK’s Essential Glow Box.
Q: What advice would you give to other female founders just starting their business?
Advice I would give to other female founders starting their businesses is to do thorough research, learn to communicate effectively with people, and never be afraid of failure.
Q: What was the biggest risk you took in your pitch, and how did it pay off?
I would say the biggest risk was definitely doing the pitch. It took a lot of confidence and showed me that it’s okay to feel uncomfortable sometimes.
Q: What’s next for you and your business?
When starting any type of vending machine business, it’s important to talk to someone in charge before placing the order for the machine. So, I plan to have a meeting with the dean or someone that’s above to get permission to place my vending machine on campus.
