LEAP’s One and All Inclusive Entrepreneurship Initiative Welcomes 23 New Entrepreneurs to January 25 Program
Second One and All Program Continues to Accelerate Economic Mobility Across Clinton, Eaton, Ingham and Shiawassee Counties
LANSING, Mich. (Jan. 13, 2021) – Twenty-three entrepreneurs from across Clinton, Eaton, Ingham and Shiawassee counties are taking important next steps toward building or growing their businesses as part of the second 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 inaugural program began Aug. 26, 2020, and graduated 17 participants Oct. 22, 2020.
“LEAP is thrilled to welcome the next group of entrepreneurs to One and All, along with our generous financial partners, the MEDC and the Consumers Energy Foundation,” said Bob Trezise, president and CEO of LEAP. “The commitment to helping create equitable opportunities for economic mobility among our most vulnerable populations continues to be of the utmost importance at LEAP.”
The journeys of 23 entrepreneurs accepted into LEAP’s second One and All program begin Jan. 25, 2021. Through a unique and intensive 2-month program, entrepreneurs and small-business owners will gain access to immersive business and communication training, coaching and mentoring, an extended professional network and 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 initiative was designed to address the systemic barriers that stand between historically underserved populations and small-business ownership. The success of this initiative is only possible through collaboration with our incredible program partners, the Refugee Development Center and the Fledge, and our amazing curriculum partners, Piper & Gold Public Relations and the Capital Region Michigan Small Business Development Center,” said Anum Mughal, LEAP’s manager of new ventures and One and All program leader. “The SBDC has further deepened their commitment to One and All by hiring a full-time consultant to specifically facilitate their role in each two-month program.”
One and All January-March 2021 Program Participants
- Tanesha Ash-Shakor, Voices of Color
- Megan Church, Undecided
- Aurelia Cisneros, RELEASE! LLC
- Dlaiah Clark, Armani’s Haven
- Mona David, Health Wellpreneurs Center LLC
- Leah Ellis, Leahmonet LLC
- Serena Giles, S&N Cleaning Services LLC
- Eva Gonzalez, La Fajita LLC
- Gabrielle Holland, G.V. Fitness
- Britt Houze, BHouze Originals
- Linda Keefe, Utilities for All
- Katy Kelly, Power in Passion
- Kimberly Lavon, Thimble Media
- Taneka McCoy, Spic N Span Cleaning and Restoration Services
- Daryl McMillan, Treatz N Sweetz Corporation
- Tiffany Nordé, Dancing with the Nordés LLC
- Caroline Passariello, Next Generation Lactation Service
- Iris Paul, The Curtainless Theatre
- Khailea Pond, Shopping with Khai
- Tamela Russell, PoshSouls Pop-up Boutique
- Najeema Thomas, You Shine Events and Consulting, Curltitude LLC
- Kathrine Toomey, Tranquil Tribulations
- Jaime Urrecho, Spartan Spy
One and All is also welcoming a new group of 23 program mentors, the mentor-mentee relationship is a crucial component of the program’s success.
Mentors provide expert guidance and insight, help mentees clarify goals, identify strategies to advance their ideas and navigate challenging situations. 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 and many are entrepreneurs themselves.
One&All Mentors
- Brice Blossom, Financial Associate, Thrivent
- Shelley Davis Boyd, Director of Communications, PR & Marketing, Michigan Association of School Boards
- JP Buckingham, COO & Principal Geologist, Triterra
- Alando Chappell, Managing Partner & COO, ARUtility
- Valerie Christofferson, Director of Business Customer Growth & Sustainability, Consumers Energy
- Dominic Cochran, Founding Partner & Founding Director, Ahptic Film & Digital and Lansing Public Media Center
- Andi Crawford, Independent Consultant
- Jordan Davis, Executive Director, Capital Area IT Council
- Lisa Fisher, Founder, Lisa Fisher Associates
- Nikki Thompson Frazier, Owner & CEO, Sweet Encounter Bakery and Sweet Encounter Kids Culinary Academy
- James Jackson, Transportation Diversity Recruitment Strategy Coordinator, Michigan Department of Transportation
- Nick Lynch, Vice President of Fund Development, Capital Area United Way
- Brian McGrain, Director of Economic Development & Planning, City of Lansing
- Don McNabb, CEO & Visionary, Triterra
- Owen Monday, Area Director, Toastmasters International/President, Second to None Toastmasters Club
- Robin Moore, Founder & Visionary Strategist, Robin’s Nest Building Future LLC
- Julie Pingston, President & CEO, Greater Lansing Convention and Visitor’s Bureau
- Doug Roberts, Director of Stakeholder Relations, Consumers Energy
- Paul Schmidt, Owner & Creative Video Strategist, Unoduece
- Marisa Smith, Founder, The Whole Brain Group/Certified EOS Implementer, LLC/EOS Worldwide
- Scott Watkins, Business Intelligence Executive, Michigan Virtual
- Amy Zander, Chief Word Slayer & Owner, Zeedia Media
- Mary ZumBrunnen, Owner, One-Community Consulting/Academic Specialist, Michigan State University
Follow the journey of each One and All entrepreneur, apply for one of the four upcoming programs or to become a mentor and learn more about the One and All program on LEAP’s website at purelansing.com/OneAndAll.
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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: Entrepreneurship, One&All