Chicago — Ferrero North America has launched the 2025 Well-known Amos Components for Success (IFS) Entrepreneurs Initiative, in partnership with the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. Now in its fifth yr, the IFS program creates pathways for early-stage Black enterprise house owners by offering a complete of $150,000 in awards every year. IFS awards three recipients $50,000 along with mentorship and entry to networking and academic sources. Created to honor model founder Wally Amos’ legacy, IFS celebrates the qualities that make enterprise house owners distinctive and fosters long-term success for his or her corporations.
“Wally Amos was boldly authentic, and his imaginative and prescient and influence are nonetheless a part of Well-known Amos to today,” says Rachna Patel, vice-president of selling for Well-known Amos. “Components for Success pays tribute to the model’s roots by serving to early-stage Black enterprise house owners work towards their desires — in the end serving to gasoline a neighborhood the place individuality and innovation can thrive long-term.”
Eligible companies should be: at minimal 90 p.c Black-owned, in operation for 5 years or much less, headquartered within the U.S., and owned by people 21 years or older. The corporate is accepting purposes by April 23, 2025. All certified submissions are judged by a panel that features Black entrepreneurs. This yr’s panel of judges embody:
- Shawn Amos — Entrepreneur, writer, and son of the late model founder, Wally Amos.
- Steve Canal — Founding father of ONE Enterprise Group, best-selling writer, and branding professional.
- Brittany Rhodes — Founding father of Math Equals Me and a earlier IFS winner.
“Fifty years in the past, my father put his dream into motion and based Well-known Amos,” says Shawn Amos. “Since then, it has grown to develop into a globally acknowledged model, and I’m honored to be part of its evolution. I’m additionally grateful to function a decide for the Components for Success program throughout this monumental yr. So many entrepreneurs deserve an opportunity to develop their enterprise to succeed in its fullest potential. IFS builds upon the teachings from my father and offers sources to assist others’ enterprise desires develop into a actuality.”
Launched in 2020, IFS has since awarded 12 enterprise house owners a complete of $600,000.
Well-known Amos is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary this yr and can commemorate with packages that spotlight the previous, current and future. The model’s new marketing campaign “Famously You” attracts inspiration from founder Wally Amos, who was recognized for being unapologetically himself. There might be a restricted launch of Collectors Version packaging that pays homage to the unique graphics from 1975 and options a picture of Wally Amos in his signature Panama shirt. Collectors Version luggage are at the moment accessible, whereas provides final.
