2024 CREO Awardees
Collective Real Estate Ownership (CREO)
One of the three Open for Business financial products is CREO, an opportunity to cover down payment and closing costs assistance so that small business owners and/or nonprofits can own their own commercial real estate and experience wealth creation. Through this product, a collaborative of at least 2 or more businesses can apply for financial support to own real estate through a shared equity model in select Miami neighborhoods.
2024 CREO Awardees
Below is a summary of the planned* funding commitments for the third and final round of CREO funding, selected during 2024. So far, 4 finalists have been selected from a total 23 applications. Additional collaboratives may be entered into the program.
*Please note: the final disbursement of funding is contingent on each collaborative: proceeding with the transaction, gaining site control, and successfully securing financing for the property. The timeline for closing on the property will vary across grantees, and is subject to change.
GLORIA COUTURE, INC and MADELINE ROUGE in NORTH MIAMI BEACH ($500,000)
Gloria Couture, Inc is a high-end women’s clothing service that offers custom-made designs, fine tailoring and alterations for men, women, and children, bespoke crystal creations, crystal shoes, handbag repair, and collection of accessories to make every customer feel their most confident. Madeline Rouge specializes in makeup artistry that enhances natural beauty with glamorous transformations for special events to editorial looks for high-end fashion and brand photoshoots to make customers both look and feel beautiful. Madeline Rouge and Gloria Couture are childhood friends who reunited in 2012 and have cultivated their individual businesses and grown beside each other.
As an intergenerational business, Gloria Couture has witnessed firsthand the difficulties of maintaining an affordable physical location despite being a successful family-owned business. Alongside Madeline Rouge, the collaborative is purchasing a standalone commercial property in North Miami Beach. Together, they will share their expertise and resources to work on cross-collaborative opportunities and support the local community through the beauty and fashion industry. Gloria Couture will offer custom-made items at various prices to accommodate a diverse clientele. Madeline Rouge will be able to offer makeup workshops and a photo studio for its clients.
MED RESCUE CPR and T&E INVESTMENTS in NORTH MIAMI BEACH ($150,000)
Med Rescue CPR empowers individuals with life-saving skills and knowledge through their continuous medical training programs for healthcare professionals and community members to help them respond effectively in critical situations and identify medical emergencies. T&E Investments is an accounting and tax preparation firm that focuses on guiding businesses and individuals toward financial success through strategic planning, industry experts, and accessible knowledge and tools to make informed financial decisions. Med Rescue CPR and T&E Investments have supported each other’s businesses and programs since 2020 through shared knowledge in education and tax preparation.
Med Rescue CPR and T&E Investments will be collaborating to co-occupy two units in a former doctors’ office space that will be remodeled to house Med Rescue CPR and T&E Investments in each unit. Together, they will enhance and expand their businesses to continue providing resources to the community through medical training, financial literacy, and increased employment opportunities. Additionally, Med Rescue CPR and T&E Investments plan on hosting monthly small business networking events to benefit the community, share knowledge, and enhance community resilience through life-saving education and employment opportunities.
ROOTS COLLECTIVE, THE VILLAGE FREEDGE, and AGNEW BROTHERS FOUNDATION in LIBERTY CITY ($499,000)
Roots Collective is a youth education nonprofit specializing in providing young people with access to education, enrichment, and recreational opportunities, including spring break college visits, summer camp, apprentice/internships and more. Village Freedge is a food pantry and community meals provider that provides communities with access to fresh foods and quality groceries. Agnew Brothers Foundation was formed to honor the late Danny Agnew, co-founder of Roots and racial equity leader whose untimely passing in 2023 left a hole in the community’s heart.
Together as COMPLETE THE MISSION, the collaborative has purchased a 1400 square foot mixed-use building across the street from the Liberty Square housing development. The fully remodeled building will be converted into the ROOTS MARKET & BOOKSTORE. Filling a gap to provide Black and Brown readers with culturally relevant literature in a time where access to reading is being significantly hampered, we are thrilled to support this effort.
SOUTHERN BIRTH JUSTICE NETWORK and MAGNOLIA BIRTH HOUSE in OPA LOCKA ($400,000)
The Southern Birth Justice Network is dedicated to making licensed midwifery care, doula support, and care coordination services accessible to all people, especially Black, Brown, youth, immigrant, and other historically disadvantaged communities. Magnolia Birth House is the first and only community-founded natural birthing center women’s health organization in South Florida that focuses to guard and nurture the process of pregnancy and birth, and supports families with services from midwives, mental health professionals, and family/community educators.
Southern Birth Justice Network and Magnolia Birth House will be joining forces to purchase a site in Opa Locka with two buildings. Together, they have formed the Black Maternal Infant Health Equity Collaborative with a mission to transform the health system and build comprehensive partnerships with local hospital staff. Their collaborative birth and wellness center will benefit the local community, provide affordable care, and support current and future families.