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Starter Stories
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Ernie Flores // Flores Bakehaus
CO.STARTERS programs and community support helped Ernie Flores open Flores Bakehaus, a business that celebrates her heritage, family, and her first love—baking.
by
Henri Lowe
Starter Stories
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Angie Parham // SteeleDivine Cosmetics
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, entrepreneur Angie Parham harnessed her creativity to pivot her hair and cosmetics skills into a new business, SteeleDivine Cosmetics.
by
Henri Lowe
Starter Stories
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Jonnay Wenger // Lil Cub Den
Jonnay Wenger, an entrepreneur and mother, learned the importance of community support when she decided to open an indoor playspace in her new town.
by
Henri Lowe
Starter Stories
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Jessica Cammack // The Mack Master Professional Organizing
Professional organizer Jessica Cammack, also known as the Mack Master, is combating clutter—both physical and mental—for her clients.
by
Henri Lowe
Starter Stories
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Kelsey Vasileff // Southern Squeeze
Chattanooga native and yoga teacher Kelsey Vasileff wanted to share her passion for high-quality, nutrient-packed foods and cold-pressed juices with the rest of her city.
by
Henri Lowe
Starter Stories
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Silje Christoffersen // Steep Creek Studio
When Silje Christoffersen moved back to her small, rural hometown of Enterprise, Oregon, she knew she wanted to pour into her community through her passion for design.
by
Henri Lowe
Starter Stories
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Dionna Brenamen // Java's Enchanted Bean
After 30 years of working in finance, Dionna Brenamen shifted gears and opened a coffee and tea cafe that has grown into an inclusive community hub in Fostoria, Ohio.
by
Henri Lowe
Starter Stories
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Amber Leibee // Adventure Art
With the help of CO.STARTERS, Amber Leibee turned her passion for art into a thriving art supply store in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
by
Henri Lowe
Starter Stories
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Celebrating Black Entrepreneurship in the CO.STARTERS Community
For Black History Month, we're highlighting five amazing Black entrepreneurs from our CO.STARTERS family.
by
Henri Lowe
Starter Stories
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Beth Wilson // Wilson PR
"Getting involved with a unique and insightful group of entrepreneurs provided me with a true community."
by
Seth Bergeron
Starter Stories
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Morgan Sharpe // Creekside Flower Farm
Morgan meets her customers' innate appetite for beauty with gorgeous, locally grown, long-lasting flowers.
by
Seth Bergeron
Starter Stories
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Jay Pitts // ClinCept
By prioritizing the inclusion of marginalized people into his clinical studies, Jay seeks to repair the damage wrought by an unjust healthcare system.
by
Seth Bergeron
Starter Stories
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Corri Poore // Little Tykes University
“CO.STARTERS taught me that you have to communicate the benefits and advantages of your business to your customer, not just the product or service itself.”
by
Seth Bergeron
Starter Stories
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Grace Underfanger // Crimson Fox Design Co.
"Lots of people see competition when they look at the business scene, but at the end of the day, we’re all making this place better together."
by
David Kraus
Starter Stories
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Nate Boscaljon // Boscaljon Design Co.
"CO.STARTERS really helped me to vet my idea and be confident in my decision to go full-time."
by
David Kraus
Starter Stories
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Kryshonna Michelle Wilson // URZ Professional
"Most people don't realize that beauty is a business. CO.STARTERS gave me a plan and helped me get myself together as a business."
by
David Kraus
Starter Stories
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Cole Hawthorne // Jayla's Heirlooms
"You don't have to do it alone. Entrepreneurship is hard, but there is a community if you look for it."
by
David Kraus
Starter Stories
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Starter Story: Sanaa Abourezk // Sanaa’s Gourmet Mediterranean
“My restaurant is for anyone looking for something local and different."
by
Starter Stories
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Starter Story: Dan Cox // Cox Telecom
“It’s so satisfying to be able to finally put my skills to work for myself in my own business.”
by
Starter Stories
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Starter Story: Shayla Sadler // Empowered for Purpose
“When most people feel stuck, they look for external solutions. But I help them look inward, because your happiness can only come from inside.”
by
Starter Stories
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Starter Story: Ebony Archie & Coresa Hogan // MEMFOLK
"We want joy to be seen as a human right, not something accessible based on privilege."
by
Starter Stories
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Starter Story: Miriam Omura // Miriam Norris Omura Art
“Even if you don’t realize it, you are always a businessperson when you are an artist.”
by
Starter Stories
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Starter Story: Sarah Lydick // Sarah's on Main
“It’s so good to have a place that can keep you accountable of what you’re trying to do and accomplish.”
by
Starter Stories
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Starter Story: Christine McLean // The Red Pincushion
“It’s so good to have a place that can keep you accountable of what you’re trying to do and accomplish.”
by
David Kraus
Ecosystems + Economies | Starter Stories
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Need a Mask? These Starters Have You Covered.
Spread only good things and shop masks made by our very own CO.STARTERS graduates.
by
Tianna Weaver
Starter Stories
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Black Dreams Matter, Every Day
Meet nine Black business starters who are paving the way for dreams.
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Starter Stories
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Starter Story: Micheala Angelena // DrawnLovely
“CO.STARTERS has been a guide for growing DrawnLovely into not only a healthy business but one that can make an impact in our community.”
by
Tianna Weaver
Starter Stories
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Starter Story: Dan Fowler // Reunion Shoe Co.
“CO.STARTERS isn’t about making a plan to set in stone—it’s much more about giving you the tools you need to make a plan. They’re all necessary tools, the basic building blocks an entrepreneur needs.”
by
David Kraus
Starter Stories
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Starter Story: Will Lovelady // Stix N Smoke
“I had to start thinking about customers and clients, and how to best communicate with them about my business. It made me think about how to continually grow the business.”
by
Tianna Weaver
Starter Stories
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Starter Story: Tara Taylor // She Got the Nerve
“I used to be afraid of charging people, but CO.STARTERS really helped me to understand my value and the value of my time.”
by
David Kraus
Starter Stories
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Starter Story: Javela Singleton // Gifted Hands Artisan Soap
“You find value in what you already know, what you can share with everyone, and what others can share with you.”
by
Tianna Weaver
Starter Stories
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Starter Story: Kazim Abbot // The Academic Consulting Agency
“When life gives you lemons, make a lemonade stand, because when you make a lemonade stand you help people you never would have known.”
by
Tianna Weaver
Starter Stories
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Starter Story: Felicia Jackson // CPR Wrap
“I never thought about owning my own business. I am a medical professional and am always trying to find a solution to a need. I saw a need and my path was set before me.”
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Starter Stories
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Starter Story: Jaylin Randolph // H.i.L.i.F.
"The best part about CO.STARTERS is that you learn in a personal, realistic setting and you are surrounded by people who have succeeded and failed in business. It’s eye-opening.”
by
Tianna Weaver
Starter Stories
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Starter Story: Xion Lester & Ronnie Lacy // Summer Pack-It
“It was very helpful to be around a community of entrepreneurs and have a support system of people who are facing the same things you are facing."
by
Tianna Weaver
Starter Stories
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Starter Story: Ashley Gladney // Mobile Mommy
“CO.STARTERS was that push I needed to launch… Because everything is laid out, you have no choice but to move forward. You just have to have the will to do it.”
by
Tianna Weaver
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