LANSING, Mich. (Aug. 3, 2022) – Nineteen entrepreneurs from across the Lansing region celebrated the end of a two-month journey of business growth with the sixth program of One and All, an inclusive entrepreneurship initiative created in 2020 by the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) and funded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Consumers Energy Foundation.
The One and All program has a history of yielding graduates who have strengthened the economic development of our region—opening brick and mortar stores, collaborating on projects and deepening their commitment to their business and the community.
"We couldn't be more thrilled that One and All is proving to increase economic mobility in the Lansing region," said Bob Trezise, president and CEO of LEAP. "In two short years, 83% of One and All graduates have formed their business's legal entity, eight have opened brick and mortar locations, and we are seeing an average $10,000 increase in participants' household income within the first six months post-graduation. These graduates have planted roots in our community, and LEAP will continue helping them spread those roots through further connection within the region's entrepreneurial ecosystem." Through a unique and intensive 2-month program, the entrepreneurs and small-business owners were immersed in an intensive experience of business and communication training, coaching, mentoring and access to an extended professional network culminating in a small seed investment. Lack of access to these critical resources is a common obstacle to success, especially for the underrepresented populations the One and All program supports. "Being a part of One and All cohort six has been a blessing. This program provided me with a community and resources to help me grow my business and matched me with a business mentor who truly cares about the success of my business and the impact it can have on my community," said Alex Malone, owner of Malone Family Auto Detailing. "I have learned so much and received many tools I can use in my daily business dealings. My next step is to work on building a website and continue to bring notoriety to Malone Family Detailing and serving the community by bringing a new approach to detailing cars." The May-July 2022 One and All program also welcomed 19 program mentors to support each entrepreneur's journey. One and All mentors provide expert guidance and insight, help mentees clarify goals, identify strategies to advance their ideas and navigate challenging situations, and will be a permanent part of their mentee's support network after graduation. One and All program mentors are established professionals with rich life experience who hail from various business types, higher education, entrepreneurship support organizations, and state and local economic development; many are entrepreneurs themselves. "I love being a mentor of LEAP's One and All program, one of the many resources in the Lansing Region that support small business development. Being able to connect entrepreneurs with the people and experts that will help their businesses grow and thrive is vital to the regional economy," said One and All program six mentor, Julie Reinhardt, director of downtown community development at Downtown Lansing, Inc. Learn more about One and All and stay updated about upcoming application deadlines and program opportunities at purelansing.com/oneandall. "LEAP is proud of One and All's proven success in reducing the systemic barriers and lack of access standing between great ideas and small-business success for marginalized entrepreneurs," said Katlyn Cardoso, director of entrepreneurial ecosystem development at LEAP. "We are deeply grateful to our program partners, The Fledge and the Refugee Development Center; our curriculum partners, the Michigan Small Business Development Center at Lansing Community College and Piper & Gold Public Relations and our funders MEDC and Consumers Energy Foundation for helping make this program possible for the Lansing region." One and All May-July 2022 Program Graduates
Derek Bell, 112 Recording Studio
Ken Dail, K. Dail & Associates
Tyrone Davis, Tyrone Davis Art
Savoya Dillard, Lucious Lashes & More
Sheila Fisher, FSSalon
Susan Green, Vineyard Production/Creative Arts Theatre
Zuhair Jafar, Soap Supreme Auto Detail
Mariah Johnson, Simply Aesthetic
Liz Kruger, Honey Bun Bakery
Coire Luckett, Coco's Custom Crafts
Alex Malone, Malone Family Auto Detailing
Malachi McClain, Flashmode Clothing
Rihab Musa, Nubian Jewelry
Aaliyah Nixon, Hourglass Physique Boutique
Vernita Payne, luveenis&Co
Kendra Schneider, Takeout Takeout
Shawn Thomas, Zeep Life
Tommy Washington, Members Only Boxing and Fitness
Nieisha Yarbrough, Fetish
One and All Mentors
Bara Aldasoqui, Founder, Sympill
Jose Aste, Head Chef/Owner, Tantay
Jaime Dibean, Managing Director, AF Group
Lisa Fisher, Founder, Lisa Fisher Associates
Jesse Flores, Owner/Founder, Super Web Pros
Jessy Gregg, Mayor Pro Tem City of East Lansing
Kylee Guenther, CEO, Pivot Materials
Jacky Halliwill, VP Commercial Lender, Commercial Bank
Kevin Irwin, Chief Financial Officer, TechSmith
Owen Monday, Jr., Division Director, Toastmasters
Monica Morgan, Founder, Monica Morgan Photography
Luke Hackney, Owner/Founder, RetroDuck
Jerry Norris, Founder, The Fledge
Kelly Preston, President, Capital Steel and Wire
Denise Peek, M.S., CED, Elements of Innovation, LLC
Julie Reinhardt, Director of Downtown Development, Downtown Lansing, Inc.
Doug Roberts, Director of Stakeholder Relations, Consumers Energy
Mary Stucko, Insurance and Risk Management/Business Professor, LCC
Laurey Wyble, Director of Operations, Great Lakes Crystal Technologies
Amy Zander, Founder and Owner, Zeedia Media
Comments