Thirteen businesses owned by graduates of LAUNCH's Business Entrepreneurship Academy will be present at Glass House Collective’s Better Block on Glass Street event on Saturday.
Businesses include the Glass Street Playhouse, a youth theatre from Jumaane Lanier; Jonathan Hood’s custom T-shirt company FTH Apparel; shoe and handbag retailer Allasso, Inc. run by Patrick Donaldson; Mary Jackson with her female focused personal training business, New U Fitness; skincare guru Renee Peterson-Utsu with Absolute The Essence of Beauty; as well as Rona Hutchinson and Kasie Lindley’s Uptown Art, a company that will provide group art classes. Kasie Lindley will pull double duty, also there representing KC’s Boutique. For the new parents out there, Jason Mitchell will be on hand with his Wee Care diaper service and for those who may have back issues, Mike Shepard will be there with his Smart Cushion. Linda Bullard will be ready to help advise current or aspiring business owners with LSMB Business Consulting, and Tracey Shaw will be there representing his internet café, A.C.E Net Café. For the foodie’s, Buff Rainey will be there representing his new restaurant Big Buff’s 92 BBQ, and Julius Burrows with his food truck All Dogs & More.
Charmane Goins, LAUNCH's director of Business Support Services, says “One of the great things about working with this group is seeing their dreams coming true right before their eyes. This Saturday we will have the opportunity to see 13 of those dreams all in one place, now that’s awesome. Then to be a part of such a great vision given by Glass House Collective is the cherry on top.”
The business owners participated in LAUNCH's 10 week intensive Learn How to Start Your Own Business course. Focused on the basics of starting a business, this program gives participants the knowledge and insight on the necessary steps to establish a business. Upon completion, all graduates leave with a thorough and comprehensive business plan.
LAUNCH’s next semester will begin the week of March 18, with class locations including The Bethlehem Center, Glass Street and Northside Neighborhood House. For more information about the classes, call 598-8483.