ASPIRE Chronicles: October 11th
October 11, 2023ASPIRE Chronicles: November 8th
November 7, 2023The ASPIRE Chronicles is a biweekly series bringing you the latest updates from ASPIRE Community Capital’s team as we share our impact and engagement in Charlotte’s small business community.
Check out what the ASPIRE team has been up to the last few weeks!
ASPIRE Fall ’23 CBA Completes a Competitive Analysis Exercise!
CBA participants engaged in a competitive analysis exercise. They visited local restaurants, sampled the products, and created an imaginary competing business based on their experiences.
The Community Business Academy (CBA) is a 12-week course offering business training for entrepreneurs like you and focuses on business fundamentals such as budgeting, marketing, finance, and more. Our robust curriculum provides participants with the business skills that are essential for success through interactive simulation exercises and hands-on training.
Classes are taught by experienced small business owners with a wealth of entrepreneurial insight and knowledge. CBA classes are offered twice per year – in the Spring and Fall. Sessions are 3 hours long and held once per week.
At ASPIRE, we aim to remove barriers to entry to the world of entrepreneurship. The CBA is right for you if you have already made one sale of your goods/services and possess a passion to grow your own business, or want to improve your business management skills. What you need to successfully journey through our program is the willpower and commitment to step boldly into the change you desire to see. Learn more here.
ASPIRE’s Dir. of Operations Natalie Williams Hosts ‘Heart of a Woman’ Conference!
The Heart of A Woman Conference, a powerful event dedicated to empowering women and igniting their unshattered dreams, returned this month for another EPIC Women/Minority/Small Business Conference with hands on in person Business Strategy Sessions at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Participants joined a supportive community of women, entrepreneurs, and business owners who are determined to embrace their full potential through inspiring keynote speakers, interactive workshops, and meaningful networking opportunities. Participants gained a wealth of experiences and training from career experts in business ownership, diversity leadership, grant writing, lending & credit repair specialists, government contractor instructors, & nonprofit sector experts. The conference was hosted by ASPIRE’s Natalie Williams, our Director of Operations, who is also a small business owner and career-long business development and entrepreneurship expert.
Learn More about Natalie Williams here.
ASPIRE Attends Corridors Connect Event!
ASPIRE volunteered during the Corridors Connect event on October 15th. The streets were filled with vendors, food trucks, and activists for the whole family. There was even an outdoor yoga class.
Corridors Connect events are a series of six events held over three weeks, transforming a one-mile stretch of a local neighborhood street into a park for a day. These events temporarily close city-owned streets to automobile traffic, providing opportunities for walking, bicycling, dancing, playing, and socializing with neighbors. CC is a collaborative initiative between the City’s Corridors of Opportunity program and the City and County’s Open Streets Program, aimed at promoting connectivity, wellness, and equity in Charlotte’s diverse neighborhoods.
Learn More about Corridors Connect here.
ASPIRE attended the Business and Mingle Networking by: Markenson Connects LLC.
ASPIRE attended the Business and Mingle Networking by: Markenson Connects LLC. There was a panel discussion on the highs and lows of entrepreneurship and ample opportunities to network. Markenson Connects is a full-service matchmaking company connecting small and big businesses with their perfect partners using their experience, intuition, and data-driven insights to make connections that create lasting success. We’re grateful for events like this one to foster networking and community building in the Charlotte area!
Learn More about Markenson Connects LLC.
ASPIRE attends the #OFN Conference!
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- Manuel & Wesley joined by Board Member Al Luna in DC!
This month, ASPIRE attended the OFN Conference where the CDFI industry gathered in Washington DC for the 39th annual OFN Conference to explore the industry’s founding purpose of investing capital for people and what it means today. The conference theme was Capital Meets Purpose. Manuel and Wesley were also joined by ASPIRE Board Member, Al Luna, who serves as an Investment Banking Associate at Seale & Associates in Washington DC. #CapitalMeetsPurpose / #2023OFNConf
“The 23’ OFN conference was nothing shy of electric. New relationships were established and those existing were deepened. I’m privileged to have been able to collaborate with trailblazers across the industry. As an emerging CDFI, ASPIRE Community Capital appreciates the support!
Bernard Worthy, LoanWell, Manuel Campbell, Armeer Kenchen, Aaron Lewis, Anthony Young, Amber Banks-Bond, Celina Peña, Jason Friedman, Scale Link“
– Wesley Head, ASPIRE Director of Business Lending
Learn More about the OFN Conference here.
Manuel had a great connection meeting with Anika Ellis from the City of Charlotte!
ASPIRE CEO Manuel Campbell had a great Connection Meeting at the ASPIRE Office with Anika Ellis, who serves as Economic Development Specialist for the City of Charlotte! Anika was also recognized this year as being part of Charlotte’s Top 30 Under 30 “Future Leaders of Charlotte” Class of 2023!
Learn More about Anika here.
Fall CBA participants Complete Second Game Simulation Exercise!
The Fall ’23 Cohort of the Community Business Academy completed their second of the Business Game Simulation Exercises this month! The fall class was joined by members of the ASPIRE team (Is that you, Christopher Capel?) and our Vice Board Chair, Adam Holtzschue. The Game Simulation was also supported by two community volunteers; Todd Gill and Mike Niro.
The Community Business Academy (CBA) is a 12-week course offering business training for entrepreneurs like you and focuses on business fundamentals such as budgeting, marketing, finance, and more. Our robust curriculum provides participants with the business skills that are essential for success through interactive simulation exercises and hands-on training. Learn more here.
Manuel & Wesley join the African American Alliance of CDFIs!
ASPIRE Director of Business Lending Wesley Head and CEO Manuel Campbell joined The Alliance of African American CDFI CEOs this month! The Alliance has brought together Black-Led CDFIs from all over the nation with funds of all sizes. They began with a few institutions but have now grown exponentially.
Learn more about African American Alliance of CDFIs here.
ASPIRE Community Capital specializes in business training and access to capital resources that empower underestimated entrepreneurs. Our strategic wrap-around services include: Business Readiness Program, Community Business Academy, Business Accelerator Services and Access to Capital. Join us today in CHANGING THE WORLD one business at a time.