Sowing Seeds of Success
CED's Ongoing Support for Entrepreneurial Ventures
“It took me many years to start my small business, but I never lost hope. Everyone has the right to fight for your dreams…I would tell them [aspiring entrepreneurs] to go for it, so go forward with your dreams. It is never too late.”
In 2017, entrepreneurs John and Tim Rush opened Third Way Café, a boutique coffee shop in Columbus, Ohio. The café, now named Third Way Coffee House, has experienced five years of success and has employed multiple local community members in the process.
The Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI), a Community Economic Development (CED) grant recipient, helped John and Tim navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and come out on the other side with their business still intact. They are two of the many local entrepreneurs that ECDI has supported over the years with CED funds. By investing in local Community Development Corporations (CDCs) that subsequently invest in and support local entrepreneurs, the CED program bolsters entrepreneurship at the grassroots level. The CED program has assisted thousands of entrepreneurs over the years and will continue to do so into the future. Read on to learn more about importance of entrepreneurship and how the CED program supports entrepreneurs in their efforts to enrich and revitalize their communities.
Third Way Coffee House, Columbus, Ohio
Entrepreneurs are the drivers behind local and national economic development, community enrichment and revitalization, and innovation. By way of illustration, entrepreneurs and the small businesses that they create are disproportionately responsible for the number of new jobs created. [1] Lisa Gutierrez, another entrepreneur backed by ECDI with CED funds, initially launched her business, Dos Hermanos, as a food truck operated by herself and her husband. Over time, her enterprise expanded to encompass a catering business, four brick-and-mortar locations, multiple food trucks, and contracts with stadiums and convention centers. This growth enabled Lisa to hire numerous community members, transforming her humble two-employee truck into a thriving business that has created many jobs.
Dos Hermanos, Columbus, Ohio
Entrepreneurs play a key role in enriching and revitalizing their communities. Take a moment to contemplate the community in which you reside. Now imagine what your community would be like with no small businesses. The resulting image is undeniably disheartening, underscoring the significance of small enterprises. Local businesses add a unique flavor and character to places that is not easily replicated by large corporations.
Not only do small businesses and their entrepreneurial owners infuse a distinctive local character, but the revenue they generate also tends to circulate within the community. When local businesses thrive, the entire community benefits from increased tax revenue, contributing to safer roads, improved schools, and enhanced public services and programs. [2] Additionally, entrepreneurs often build a web of interdependence on other local businesses, creating a rising tide that lifts all boats. For instance, Andréa Homoya, the owner of Ash and Elm Cider Co., makes a point to buy locally whenever possible. To craft her ciders, Andréa purchases apples and other ingredients from local partners as part of her commitment to “recirculate profits through the community.” In 2020, CED grant recipient King Park Development Corporation played a pivotal role in supporting Andréa's expansion of her cidery business, showcasing how strategic investments can catalyze not only individual success but also foster a robust and empowered community.
Since entrepreneurs supported by CED funding were given assistance during their time of need, many of them hold strong commitments to ‘pay it forward’ and give back to their communities. Giving back to others is of utmost importance to Christy Moore, who opened Social Spin, a community-oriented laundromat in Mesa, Arizona, with support from CED grant recipient Chicanos Por La Causa in 2017. Christy envisioned a space where community members come together to not only get their laundry done, but also to connect and access community services. Over the past six years, Christy has brought her vision to life. She offers free access to laundering facilities on Wednesday afternoons to serve community members who cannot afford laundromat services. Additionally, she partners with local organizations to maintain a clothing closet, food bank, and miniature library at the laundromat. Community members are welcome to stop in at any time and take what they need.
Entrepreneurship also plays a key role in expanding opportunities for historically disadvantaged groups, such as women and minorities.
Many CED grant recipients operate programs to specifically assist entrepreneurs who are part of historically disadvantaged groups. Adelante Mujeres, a CED grant recipient located in Forest Grove, Oregon, uses CED funds to manage the Empresas Small Business Development Program, which focuses on supporting local Latino entrepreneurs in creating or expanding their businesses. Most of the participating Latino entrepreneurs are women.
Lucia is one of the many entrepreneurs who have benefited from the Empresas Small Business Development Program. Lucia has always had a passion for baking, and Adelante Mujeres helped Lucia turn this passion into a business. After receiving extensive education, financial support, and technical assistance from Adelante Mujeres, Lucia opened her bakery in late 2019. Within a few months of becoming operational, Lucia hired two more people onto her team due to the volume of customers. Lucia has been successfully managed her highly rated bakery, La Pandera, for over three years now.
“I want my bakery to grow so that I can hire women, many women.”
Lastly, CED funding supports entrepreneurs in building novel businesses. CED grant recipient Northwest Side Community Development Corporation (NWSCDC) is currently using CED funds to support Talethea Thompson and her innovative business, PumpFive. Talethea developed the idea for PumpFive while working for a ridesharing service. She spent much more time at the gas station than desired while ridesharing, and she thought about how it would be convenient if someone could deliver gasoline similar to how food or groceries are delivered. [3] With help from NWSCDC, Talethea created PumpFive, a fuel delivery service that fills their subscriber's cars up with gas while the customer is at home or work. Thanks to Talethea’s business, her customers no longer have to wait in long lines at the gas station or run to get gas after a long day at work. Without entrepreneurs like Talethea who are brave enough to try something new, innovative ideas would not have room to flourish.
The CED program is proud to help entrepreneurs across the nation fulfill their dreams of opening their own businesses. The whole community benefits from the hard work of these entrepreneurs. Whether it is through fun new places to gather, the creation of innovative products, expanded access to critical services, broadened job opportunities, or increased tax revenue, the entrepreneurial spirit lifts the whole community.
