LEAP’s One and All Inclusive Entrepreneurship Initiative Celebrates 23 Graduates for Program Five— January-March 2022
LEAP’s One and All Inclusive Entrepreneurship Initiative Celebrates 23 Graduates for Program Five— January–March 2022
Fifth One and All Graduating Class Continues to Accelerate Economic Mobility Across Clinton, Eaton, Ingham and Shiawassee Counties
LANSING, Mich. (Mar. 30, 2022) – Twenty-three entrepreneurs from across the Lansing region celebrated the end of a two-month journey of business growth with the fifth 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 not only their commitment to business, but to the community.
“LEAP is thrilled to graduate all 23 participants in the January-March 2022 program of One and All,” said Bob Trezise, president and CEO of LEAP. “We often talk about large-scale development work as the brick of economic development and the people and fresh ideas of entrepreneurship as the mortar. Each of these graduates is now well-positioned to help complete the structure of our region’s economy with their creativity and drive.”
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.
“The One and All program has helped me make business connections that I didn’t know existed. It made me feel like I belong in the same spaces as well-established professionals,” said graduate Amanda Leksche, founder of Paint Your Poison. “Meeting with my mentor and getting in-depth one-on-one help was invaluable— I’m very grateful for this program.”
The January-March 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 continue to serve as 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, state and local economic development; many are entrepreneurs themselves.
“The One and All team is consistently impressed by each program cohort’s tenacity, passion and drive; LEAP is proud of the role we play in helping these entrepreneurs bring their ideas to fruition by removing the systemic barriers and lack of access that stand between their great ideas and small-business success,” 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.”
Apply for the May-July 2022 program by April 5, 2022, or learn more about serving as a One and All mentor on LEAP’s website at purelansing.com/OneAndAll.
One and All January-March 2022 Program Graduates
- John Albarez III, Starber Co.
- Courtney Bankhead, Paynes Gang Production
- Ashlei Echols, K.Lei Collection
- Siham Hassan, Foreign House
- Pheniecia Holston, Baskets and Berries, LLC
- Darren Horn, He That Hath An Ear, LLC
- Angel Hursey, Reluxx, LLC
- Jasim Irhayyim, Epic Property Development
- Banin Jafar, Banin Jafar Interior Design
- Kianna Johnson, Makeup FX
- Nyshell Lawrence, Socialight Society
- Amanda Leksche, Paint Your Poison
- Bianca McCastle, Thrd Generation
- Shannon Mejia, La India Mexicana Cocina
- Melissa Moore, Moore Enterprises
- Paige Murchison, Pages Unlocked
- Tameka Myers, Wrld Hustle Catering
- Alisha Parks, Bundles Ah Beauty, LLC
- Ken Roubal, Data-Driven Decisions, L3C
- Ashleigh Spencer, Mobile Cuts and More, PLC
- Genesis Terrell, The Banner King
- Gloria Trevino, TheraPLAYoga
- Talisha Washington, Lush Amour, LLC
One&All Mentors
- Jose Aste, Head Chef/Owner, Tantay
- Greg Brogan, Managing Agent/Owner, Brogan Associates
- Dale Copedge, President, Lansing Branch NAACP
- Jaime Dibean, Managing Director, AF Group
- Lisa Fisher, Founder, Lisa Fisher Associates
- Jessy Gregg, Mayor Pro Tem City of East Lansing
- Kylee Guenther, CEO, Pivot Materials
- Justin Haun, Business Development Manager, Lake Trust CU
- Rachel Kuntzsch, President, Public Sector Consultants
- Lanitra Middlebrook, Founder, AddiXions Salon
- Owen Monday, Jr., Division Director, Toastmasters
- Monica Morgan, Founder, Monica Morgan Photography
- Tom Ruis, Senior Vice President, PNC Bank
- Paul Schmidt, Owner & Creative Video Strategist, Unoduece
- Laura Sigmon, Founder, Best Practices Consulting
- Mary Stucko, Insurance and Risk Management/Business Professor, LCC
- Doug Roberts, Director of Stakeholder Relations, Consumers Energy
- Scott Watkins, Senior Director of Business Strategy, Michigan Virtual
- Laurey Wyble, Director of Operations, Great Lakes Crystal Technologies
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About LEAP
The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) is a coalition of area leaders partnering to build a stronger community for all—working every day to grow, retain and attract business to the Lansing, Michigan, region.
Category: Press Releases, One&All