• Minority and woman-owned business brings the number of open MCM businesses to 105
• Joins six other MCM awardees located in Midtown
• Received $65,000 from MCM to open unisex nail salon

DETROIT (Nov. 2, 2020) – Polished Lounge, a full-service unisex nail salon located in Midtown, has become the 105th Motor City Match (MCM) awardee to open in the City of Detroit. At a ceremony today with Mayor Mike Duggan and District 6 councilmember Raquel Castañeda-López, owner Ia Vang cut the ceremonial red ribbon to officially open her business.

“Creating small business density is a goal of Motor City Match, and I’m so glad that Ms. Vang is joining other program participants in the growing Midtown neighborhood,” said Duggan. “She’s had a remarkable life journey from Laos to Detroit. We are fortunate have Ms. Vang bring her business to our community and I’m glad that Motor City Match was here to help her realize her dream.”

A Hmong refugee from Laos who moved to the U.S. at the age of eight, Vang grew up in Detroit where she attended school and received an accounting degree from Wayne State University. After working in the nail industry for several years, Vang decided to open Polished Lounge, her first business venture. She received a $65,000 MCM cash award in June 2019 during Round 15. The business also received support from the Detroit Development Fund, Invest Detroit and Midtown Detroit, Inc.

“Motor City Match has opened the biggest door for us,” said Vang. “The constant support was always there when we needed it most. MCM provided important information and access to business funds, financial and account advice, construction, and much more.”

“MCM is continuing to help grow Detroit’s neighborhood commercial corridors with the essential goods and services residents want and need,” said Kevin Johnson, president and CEO of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation. “Small business ownership can be a path to economic independence for entrepreneurs, especially women and minorities. We are proud to support programming that is inclusive, accessible and has a positive impact on our residents and local communities.”

Motor City Match is a unique partnership between the City of Detroit, the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC), the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Detroit (EDC) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). To date, more than 1,300 businesses have received assistance from Motor City Match, ranging from business planning, educational programs, technical assistance and cash grants.

Motor City Match Through 17 Rounds:

• 81% minority owned businesses
• 71% women owned businesses
• 64% businesses owned by Detroit residents
• $8.1M in grants to launch new neighborhood businesses
• $44M of additional investment leveraged through MCM grants
• 246 home-based businesses
• 138 pop-ups, collectives
• 105 brick and mortar businesses
• 57 new small businesses under construction

About Polished Lounge
Polished Lounge is Detroit’s neighborhood nail salon, a relaxing oasis for clients to unwind from a busy life to enjoy being pampered where special attention is focused on them. Our mission is to provide meticulous yet fast and high-quality nail services at reasonable prices. Our exceptionally skilled staff can accommodate appointments, walk in customers, and large parties. Polished Lounge provides a clean and safe environment for both women and men. Polished Lounge is located at 4417 2nd Ave., Suite 3, Detroit, MI 48201. To learn more, visitwww.polishedloungedetroit.com.

About Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC)
Detroit Economic Growth Corporation is a non-profit organization that serves as Detroit’s lead implementing agency for business retention, attraction and economic development. DEGC is led by a board comprised of business, civic and community leaders. Its staff provides services for key public authorities that facilitate incentives and other forms of financing for projects that bring new jobs and investment to the City. DEGC also manages important initiatives to support small businesses and grow neighborhood commercial corridors. DEGC is dedicated to inclusive development and access to economic opportunity. Follow DEGC on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. www.degc.org.