Empowered participants with a solid foundation to start their business.
Start Up for Success is a training program that empowers participants with a solid foundation to start and/or grow their business. This is accomplished through a combination of workshops and one-on-one consulting. Participants come from a range of backgrounds and have a variety of business ideas. Many participants were connected to the program via local United Way partner nonprofits.
- Jessica Chatman: Jessica has a truck dispatching company – 4Infinite Logistixx LLC – and is working to grow the business.
- Yolanda Davis-Hilliard: Yolanda is building a pop-up food service business, Chef Yollie’s Kitchen, in Henrico.
- Kevin Greene: Kevin plans to launch a home improvement business in Richmond.
- Dayquon White: Dayquon is working toward a clothing, apparel and consulting business called Lowkey Grinders, Inc.
- Aronda Young: Aronda is pursuing a holistic health and wellness company called Life Lovers Balance, LLC.
We would like to recognize the following partners for their support of our 2022 Start Up for Success cohort: The Metropolitan Business League, The Women’s Business Center RVA, Seed Studio, Humankind, Pathways-VA, and The Network Incubator.
- Juan Ramos: Juan has nearly five years of experience repairing electronic appliances such as washers and dryers, refrigerators, televisions and stoves. He plans to utilize his skillset and the knowledge gained through Start Up for Success to open a retail and repair shop for used appliances.
- Donna Brown: Passionate about creating experiences through her cooking, Donna plans to share it with the Richmond community. With Start Up for Success, Donna gained the know-how to write her business plan and the proper steps needed to open a restaurant.
- King Addo: With his established eatery, Kingz Boilz, King has a dedicated customer base that supports him daily. With this support, though, comes the need to expand his business into a physical restaurant location, which Start Up for Success has helped prepare him for.
- Shenequa Patterson: Shenequa understands that not all jobs are nine to five and wants to open a child care facility that reflects that. Her facility will offer quality and affordable 24-hour child care for low-income residents. Through Start Up for Success, she has gained the knowledge needed to successfully bring her idea to life.
- Andretta Whitfield: Andretta plans to bring an urban farm to the Petersburg community. Through workshops and one-on-one consulting, she has worked on solidifying her business plan, how to reach customers and business finances.
We would like to recognize the following partners for their support of our 2021 Start Up for Success cohort: The Apple Cart, Humankind, LISC Virginia, Pathways-VA and Southside Community Development & Housing Corporation.
Learn More
To learn more about the Start Up to Success program, contact Anna Danese, Director of Workforce Partnerships.