BK library gives big rewards to small biz

Unstable times bring out the entrepreneurial spirit in some  and the Brooklyn Public Library is lending them a hand by giving away thousands of dollars in startup money to a diverse crowd of small business hopefuls.

Consider Erica Paul, 31, co-founder of Dirty Dolls Lingerie. She makes lacy unmentionables for full-figured women, sizes 30C to 44DDD. It was an untapped market.

“Everything was matronly or too military-looking,” she said.

Paul and her partner, inspired by vintage burlesque fashions, started their own company to fill the void.

As finalists in the Brooklyn Public Library’s Power Up! business plan competition, last year they won $750. Not much, but every penny helped as the economy plummeted.

Paul put the money into Dirty Dolls’ Web site. “Make sure you put the ‘lingerie’ in the address. Otherwise you’ll get a shock,” she said.

They’re partnering with burlesque shows, visiting house parties, and are looking to expand their cup sizes.

On the other side of the coin is Nzinga Knight, who began designing evening wear for Muslim women like herself, when she found most fashions too revealing. Last year, she won $5,000 for second-place and replaced her broken computer.

The library is taking applications for a dozen prizes through April for this year’s competition.

First place is $15,000. Because Citigroup’s Citi Foundation is the sponsor, next year’s contest is uncertain.