A Verizon Wireless Domestic Violence Entrepreneurship Grant has been awarded to Margie Nugent, owner of Making Faces Parties Inc. The grant provides funding to entrepreneurs in New York State who have escaped the cycle of violence and gone on to launch small businesses. Recognizing that survivors have “a strong incentive to be self-sufficient and violence-free” and that a successful “home or small business can bring women increased control over their working lives,” the program provides grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 to help women help themselves through business start-ups.
The grants are designed to create important financial and social opportunities for these women entrepreneurs, helping them ensure long-term safety and stability.
Making Faces Parties Inc. started when Nugent was trying to figure out how to support herself and her children after leaving her abuser and rebuilding her life in a new city. Receiving no child support and unable to continue her career as a jewelry designer in NYC, she taught herself computers and took administrative office jobs for a steady paycheck. Still unable to make ends meet she answered an ad on Craigslist for a part-time job painting faces at children’s parties. Three years later she has turned her love of working with people, her artistic talents, and tenacious spirit into a thriving small business, specializing in face and body painting and party crafts.
She credits being a recent graduate of the 15 week Women’s Enterprise Development Program in White Plains for preparing her to create a professional business plan and grant proposal to submit to Verizon Wireless. She is also grateful for the recommendation and continued support from Hopes Door, a center for Domestic Violence located in Westchester Country, where she herself received services 13 years ago. “It is such an honor to be an example to other survivors, to show them that there is life after domestic violence,” says Nugent. “Winning this grant supports my dream to be a successful business owner and gives me the opportunity to inspire other women.” Nugent plans to use this grant to purchase equipment to expand the services her company offers and develop professional workshops and products for other artists in her industry.
Making Faces Parties transforms kids and adults through body painting, glittery tattoos, and exotic henna, providing memories that last a lifetime. Owner Margie Nugent has had her work featured in magazines, TV and movies. As an empowered survivor of domestic violence, she has been a advocate for other survivors and has dedicated her art and efforts to raise awareness and funding for domestic violence programs.
For more information about her company or to book an event you can reach Ms. Nugent at (914)714-8069 or through her website www.makingfacesparties.com.
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