ASPIRE Chronicles: August 24th
August 25, 2023ASPIRE Chronicles: September 27th
September 26, 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’s Behavioral Health Small Business Cohort kicks off their BAS (Business Accelerator Services)!
After every ASPIRE Community Business Academy, our signature 12-week entrepreneurship cohort, every graduate is then enrolled in the Business Accelerator Services, which is a one-on-one coaching and mentorship program. Last season we had our first ever Behavioral Health Community Business Academy, with Isis Bey and Dr. Sonyia Richardson, and they are pictured here having their kickoff event and potluck before beginning their time in the BAS. We can’t wait to see all that this great group of Behavioral Health sector small business owners will accomplish!
The ASPIRE team leads a Game Simulation for Charlotte is Creative!
Check out photos of the ASPIRE team leading the Business Game Simulation for Charlotte Is Creative‘s Creative Entrepreneurs Initiative (CEI) fall cohort. The Game Simulation was facilitated by J.D. Selby-Lucas, PhD, accompanied by Amber Ellis and other members of the ASPIRE team. The ASPIRE game simulation creates space for entrepreneurs to go through the many steps in running a business in a fun, safe, and competitive way. Participants left feeling more confident, informed, and inspired to activate their businesses in new ways.
Interested in similar partnerships with ASPIRE? Reach out to us and we’ll get you all the business training you need!
ASPIRE’ meets with partners from LISC!
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- Chris getting ready for his Verizon Digital Small Business interview!
ASPIRE joins the LISC team during the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready interview at the LISC Charlotte offices downtown.
LISC helps forge resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across America–great places to live, work, visit, do business and raise families, connecting local groups (like ASPIRE!) with the capital and technical know-how to build inclusive, resilient communities of opportunity.
Friedman & Associates joined the ASPIRE team for workshops catered by ASPIRE graduates!
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- Food was Catered by G.R.I.T.S, Chef Jo.
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- Food was Catered by Khal Kuisine, Chef Khal.
ASPIRE had the great pleasure of joining Friedman & Associates, Jason Friedman & Celina Peña, at last week’s strategic planning session. The food at each of the events was catered by Chef Jo of G.R.I.T.S, and by Chef Khal of Khal Cuisine: two local small business owners who have graduated from ASPIRE’s small business programs! (Not to mention, the food is PHENOMENAL!)
Friedman & Associates helps build and grow remarkably successful Community Development Financial Institutions to finance a more inclusive and equitable economy. Learn more about what ASPIRE is doing with it’s CDFI status here, and how we can secure members of our community with the micro-loans needed to get small businesses up and running on our Access to Capital page!
ASPIRE joins small business owner Nikki Curry for a scent creation session!
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- ASPIRE’s Natalie Williams with Nikki Curry!
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- Wax Kitchen Candles
ASPIRE had the pleasure of creating an “ASPIRE SCENT” with Wax Kitchen Candles and Owner Nikki Curry (who is also graduate of ASPIRE’s Behavioral Health Community Business Academy!)
Wax Kitchen Candles Co. is a small, minority-owned, woman business that creates artisan candles (and a variety of other products) in Charlotte, NC. In addition to owning Wax Kitchen Candles Co., founder Nikki Curry is also a career-long advocate for those who are neuro-diverse: serving as a Professional Organizer Specialist for over 13 years, servicing clients challenged with Chronic Disorganization (and specializing in ADHD Organizing, Chronic Disorganization, Hoarding Behaviors/Tendencies, and organizing with Aging populations).
“I have always been a creative entrepreneur. Even from a young age, entrepreneurship has been and will always be a part of who I am. I truly recognize the use of time and talent. My mission is to always provide holistic experiences, from education, to creating awareness in spaces that we don’t talk about and offer ongoing support.”
Manuel joins Keith Stanley at the ASPIRE office!
ASPIRE CEO Manuel Campbell and Keith Stanley meeting at the ASPIRE office. Keith is the Executive Director for University Center City Partners.
Community Impact Powered by You!
University City Partners (UCP) is a nonprofit organization that invests resources to shape public spaces and plans for a better-built environment that influences the way we live, work, play and learn in University City. University City Partners invites others to invest in the community by way of a headquarters, small to mid-size business, real estate, or home. Building University City is not only about developing the landscape. It is about building relationships and a stronger forward moving community.
ASPIRE attends the Moguls in the Making.
Teaming up with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Ally Bank created this entrepreneurial competition, Moguls in the Making, to foster opportunities for young leaders from our nation’s publicly and privately supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Moguls in the Making was born from the need to act — to put our beliefs into practice by creating a program to tackle the issue of economic mobility head-on. ASPIRE was delighted to participate in Moguls in the Making, with Manuel Campbell serving on a panel alongside TJ Lewis, Chris Moxley, and Tya Bolton. This panel of experts shared some powerful insights and perspectives on entrepreneurship and ways of building lasting legacies. It was an honor to serve with these inspiring leaders and engage with such a determined, passionate, and dynamic group of young moguls!
Manuel and Wesley attend “All About the Business: How to Thrive and Survive” Summer Event in Gaston County!
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- Wesley Head
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- Brad Goodwin and Manuel Campbell
ASPIRE CEO Manuel Campbell and Director of Small Business Lending Wesley Head attend “All About the Business: How to Thrive and Survive” Summer Event in Gaston County! Manuel is pictured here with Brad Goodwin. This event was led by the Gaston County Minority & Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) / Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) and took place at the Gastonia Conference Center.
The Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) Program advocates actions and strategies, which increase opportunities for historically underutilized businesses (HUB) and promotes diversity and inclusion in Gaston County construction and repair contracting projects.
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.