Six One and All Graduating Class Continues to Accelerate Economic Mobility Across Clinton, Eaton, Ingham and Shiawassee Counties 

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.