Macomb County female entrepeneurs benefit from small-business ‘bootcamp’ – Macomb Daily
Danielle Jackson of Shelby Township, right, who is starting Yells Sweets Bakery, talks to Antonette Slobodian, Creators Come Together founder, at the Women Business Builder Boot Camp held recently at the Velocity Center in Sterling Heights.
PHOTO BY NADIA LAPANSEE, VELOCITY CENTER EVENTS CORDINATOR
Adrienne Lakes of Macomb Township said after an unsuccessful attempt earlier this year to complete a business plan for her fledgling endeavor, she was able to accomplish it recently during the Women Business Builder Boot Camp in Sterling Heights.
Of her prior attempt under someone else’s tutelage, she acknowledged: “I was overwhelmed and had little guidance.”
In her more recent effort, she received high-quality training from Dusty Welsh, a Sister Sprout facilitator and small business entrepreneurship coach at the Velocity Center on 18 Mile Road.
“She made it interactive and fun, and no question was a dumb question,” Lakes said of Welsh. “It was a beneficial program no matter what phase you’re in. I’d recommend it to anyone thinking of starting a small business or if they recently formed a small business.”
Lakes was one of 14 Macomb County entrepreneurs who completed the program, which included six two-hour sessions each week, “homework” and a graduation ceremony last month.
The camp “kick started” the Velocity Center’s use of a $1.8 million Small Business Support Hub Grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corp. that allows Velocity to conduct programs through September 2026, according to Meghan Hubbs, small business program manager at Velocity, a business incubator and “accelerator.”
The bootcamp was designed “to bring transformational business-builder experiences to early-stage women entrepreneurs throughout Macomb County,” Hubbs said.
Participants received coaching from business women and other experts in areas such as finance and marketing, among others.
“It’s all designed to grow small businesses,” Hubbs said. “This grant is really exciting because it serves small businesses no matter what sector they’re in.”
The focus was completing a business plan, which Welsh pointed out “is a crucial step for founders as it provides a framework for setting objectives, defining strategies, and measuring progress.”
“For women entrepreneurs, prioritizing the completion of their business plans unlocks the full potential of their ventures, driving innovation, economic growth, and positive change in our Macomb communities and beyond,” she said.
The grant targets entrepreneurs who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and those who are located in “rural or underserved” areas, veterans, women, minorities and in financial need, Hubbs said.
The women paid a $75 fee but upon graduation are expected to receive a $1,000 business-plan completion grant to use for their business, and a chance to pitch their concept for follow-up funding.
Lakes said she also benefited from the camaraderie among the participants.
“The engagement and cohesiveness of the women made it nice,” she said.
Lakes, 54, is starting a holistic wellness and mindfulness business, Balance & Vibe, that she is slowly developing and plans to go full-scale when she retires from her full-time job in two years.
She is completing a mater’s degree in spirituality, culture and health at Western Michigan University and gaining certification in health and wellness coaching at Macomb Community College.
She plans to offer sound therapy, meditation, “mindfulness” (which is similar to meditation) and potentially other services. Her aim is to conduct programs for people through local libraries, wellness centers, and businesses. She has scheduled her first event for Nov. 2 at the Mount Clemens Library. A time has not been set.
Other bootcamp participants were Antonette Slobodian, Anita Blackmon, Danielle Jackson, Lillian Jacobs, Chantele Jones, Tracey Scott, Giselle Godin, Theresa Phillips, Diana Bledsoe, Jenita Smith, Melissa Lavender, Chineva Early and Antoinette Pernell.
Another bootcamp will be held in the fall for a new group.
The Velocity Center was created 11 years ago to support entrepreneurs and growing companies via a collaboration between the city of Sterling Heights, Macomb County and Oakland University. As one of 21 SmartZones in Michigan, it is financially supported by the SmartZone tax increment financing district and MEDC grants.
