Month: September 2023

September 21, 2023 /3BL/ – As National Hispanic Heritage Month commences, SkysTheLimit.org proudly highlights the remarkable journey of Gerene Keesler, the visionary founder of Admissions Untangled, who is leaving an indelible mark on the lives of students who think and learn differently.

Gerene’s career, spanning over three decades in higher education, is illuminated by her unwavering passion and dedication. Armed with a Master of Science in Counseling and a certificate in College Counseling, she has leveraged her vast knowledge to empower students to navigate the often complex academic landscape successfully.

What makes Gerene’s journey even more inspiring is her own personal journey living with multiple disabilities. Her unique perspective has ignited a fierce commitment to aiding students like herself in achieving their academic dreams. She is on a mission to provide the resources and support necessary for her students to thrive.

Bo Ghirardelli, Co-Founder & CEO of Sky’s the Limit, expressed admiration for Gerene’s accomplishments, stating, “Gerene Keesler’s dedication to empowering students who think and learn differently is truly commendable. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of education and mentorship. We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on her during National Hispanic Heritage Month.”

She credits her Sky’s the Limit mentors, Jagadish Velagapudi, Sr. Director, Technology Client Account Executive at Accenture, and Brian Buonaiuto, Broker Owner at NextHome, with playing pivotal roles in her entrepreneurial journey.

Under their guidance, Gerene optimized her website, expanded her online presence, and increased her client base and revenue. One notable improvement was the addition of informative and well-crafted blogs to her website, driving higher SEO rankings and increasing visibility to potential clients. Gerene’s innovative approach of offering smaller increments of service hours is attracting a broader range of clients.

Gerene Keesler’s success story serves as an inspiration to entrepreneurs and a powerful testament to the transformative potential of mentorship. With a resolute mission to help students who think and learn differently discover the right college fit, Gerene continues to make a profound impact on countless lives.

Read more about Gerene Keesler’s remarkable journey here.

Sky’s the Limit offers opportunities for traditionally marginalized entrepreneurs – typically those who identify as LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, women, veterans, disabled people, and people from low-income backgrounds – to connect with mentors to come together to foster, grow, and shape modern and future enterprise. The organization has also provided over $450,000 in startup grants and educated tens of thousands of diverse entrepreneurs.

For more information about partnerships and how to get involved, please visit skysthelimit.org/partnerships.

###

About SkysTheLimit.org: SkysTheLimit.org is a digital platform that connects young, historically excluded entrepreneurs with one-on-one support from experienced business advisors and mentors, entrepreneurship training, and community-voted startup grants. SkysTheLimit.org is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. 

Originally published on Built From Scratch

ATLANTA, September 21, 2023 /3BL/ – The Home Depot recognized innovations in home improvement that make tackling projects easier and more efficient for the Pro and DIYer at its annual 2023 Innovation Awards.

The 2023 top winners include:

Overall Winner: Decora Edge™ by Leviton makes installing light switches and outlets faster, safer and more efficient. Color-coded levers help to easily identify the correct terminal for wiring, and an audible click gives extra confidence with every installation.First Runner Up: Ecolab Scientific Clean Line brings the cleaning solutions trusted to clean and sanitize some of the world’s largest hotels, healthcare facilities and restaurants to Home Depot customers’ homes. Bath cleaners, degreasers, floorcare and pressure wash cleaners in Ecolab’s Scientific Clean line are backed by a team of 1,200 scientists and technical specialists.Second Runner Up: Glidden Cool Touch Exterior Floor Paint keeps porches, patios, pool decks, and walkways cooler. Available in tintable stain or paint, Glidden Cool Touch reduces surface temperature by up to 20% compared to products of a similar color using its Cool Surface Technology.

“Our pipeline of product innovation is stronger in every category thanks to our outstanding suppliers,” said Billy Bastek, executive vice president of merchandising at The Home Depot. “We’re thrilled with this year’s winners and their commitment to providing our DIY and Pro customers with first access to the newest and most compelling products to help them improve their homes.”

In addition to the top three winners, The Home Depot recognized the following finalists for their high marks in product innovation:

Husky Rechargeable Flashlights help to illuminate any space for longer periods. With long-lasting rechargeable batteries and the ability to use alkaline batteries for emergencies, these flashlights feature a Twist-to-Focus head for a narrow spotlight or wide flood light.The KAP-IT Sprinkler Riser makes raising your sprinkler easier. A Pro can raise an average of 5 sprinkler heads per hour using traditional risers, but with KAP-IT, they can average 20 heads per hour.Kohler Extra Tall Toilet provides enhanced comfort and easy accessibility in the bathroom. Without sacrificing flushing power, the 1.28-gallon flush setting saves up to 16,500 gallons per year compared to older 3.5-gallon toilets.Makita XGT 40V line of 40V power tools offers powerful battery-powered Pro-grade tools. The 40V tools bring the power of gas to jobsites in a cordless platform.The Ridgid Flexshaft is a quick and efficient solution that leaves pipes clean and free-flowing. It helps Pros move faster from job to job and can deliver wall-to-wall clean by clearing blockages in 1-1⁄4″ to 2″ lines.Ryobi 80V Zero Turn Riding Mower and Riding Lawn Tractor brings together easy maintenance with power and new technology. Ryobi 80V HP technology delivers the power equivalent of up to a 42-horsepower gasoline engine without the hassle of gas, oil, or regular engine maintenance. The patented Cross Cut Multi-Blade System uses up to 6 total blades to achieve a superior cut that eliminates clumping and creates a better-looking lawn.TrafficMaster Sheet Vinyl brings the beautiful look of wood grain or stone at an incredible value. The proprietary printing process with multiple inks and embossing creates realistic textures on vinyl plank.

In conjunction with the Innovation Awards, The Home Depot honored suppliers in several categories:

Environmental Partner of the Year: Clorox/GladInterconnected Partner of the Year: Evolutions FlooringMarketing Innovation Partner of the Year: BehrSupplier Diversity Partner of the Year: Pure Beauty Farms

Partners of the Year are listed by product category below:

Appliances: MideaBuilding Materials: US GypsumDécor/Storage/Organization: Great StarElectrical/Lighting: Feit ElectricFlooring: PolyloomHardware: PrimeSourceIndoor Garden: RyobiKitchens & Bath: CambriaLumber: Sierra Pacific IndustriesMillworks: MasoniteOutdoor Garden: Bell NurseriesPaint: W.M. BarrPlumbing: MilwaukeeTools: Milwaukee

The Home Depot’s 2023 Innovation Award winners and finalists are available online and in stores today. For more information, visit www.homedepot.com/innovation.

Keep up with all the latest Home Depot news! Subscribe to our bi-weekly news update and get the top Built from Scratch stories delivered straight to your inbox.