One Minute with George Kong, a 2024 PowerUp Winner!

Danielle

On the evening of November 13th, the Business and Career Center announced the 2024 PowerUP Winners at our Annual Awards Ceremony. Check out the livestream on Youtube if you missed it or want to experience it again.

Since 2003, the Business and Career Center has nurtured 10,900 individuals with over 1,800 business plans and awarded more than $650,000 in cash and in-kind gifts to Brooklyn entrepreneurs. Our success stories include more than 100 companies with passion for food and drink, health and wellness, arts and crafts, media and fashion, education, social justice, and cultural diversity–everything that makes Brooklyn great.

 

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Winning businesses left to right: Julie Wernersbach - Hive Mind Books (3rd place prize), George Kong - May King Innovations ( 2nd place prize), and Dr. Mason Mason - Noir Yoga (1st place prize.)

 

As part of our Work Life blog, we wanted to give you one minute with George Kong, who won the $10,000 Second Place Award at the 2024 PowerUp Annual Awards Ceremony.

How has your work flow changed since your business went from concept to reality?
While I’ve been an entrepreneur for a while, this is the first time I’ve developed a physical product. Every step of this journey feels different from the last and my ADHD enjoys the constant variety of learning something new with each step.

What was the big takeaway from PowerUp? 
I should have written business plans for all of my previous ventures.

What is something you wish people prepared you for when becoming a business owner?
Being a business owner is not a job, it’s a lifestyle. And, unlike a job, you’re probably not going to be paid for a while.

What is your favorite library resource?
Honestly, I love the board game program. I am constantly amazed at all the free enrichment provided by the library. Discovering the board game program in my neighborhood was one of the most magical things to happen that year.

What is your business and where can folks find you?
May King Innovations is on a mission to make healthcare more inclusive and dignified for all. Our first product helps hospitalized patients with language barriers communicate with their medical care team. We are very early and folks can follow our journey at www.mayk.ing

Are you a budding business owner? Look out for PowerUp's open call for applications again in spring 2025!

 

This blog post reflects the opinions of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of Brooklyn Public Library.

 

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