Entrepreneur Spotlight: Kim Vergottini of SMART-LE
It goes without saying that the entrepreneurial journey isn’t easy. Entrepreneurs take bold risks and fight uphill battles to bring their ideas to life. Though difficult, the entrepreneurial spirit is key to innovations that can solve real-world problems and clear the path for entire industries. For Kim Vergottini, a former nurse turned health tech software
Guard Your Small Business: Debunking five common myths about small business security and the actions you can take for protection today
This JumpStart blog guest post is provided by Dr. Christine Izuakor, CEO and Founder of Cyber Pop-up, an on-demand cybersecurity service platform powered by vetted and highly skilled cyber freelancers. Dr. Izuakor is also the author of the “Ultimate Guide to Building a Career in Cybersecurity” available now on Amazon.
How JumpStart and the Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women Program are Changing the Game
In America, Black women represent six percent of the population but own just two percent of employer businesses according to a 2022 Goldman Sachs Research report Black Womenomics: Equalizing Entrepreneurship, which explores the barriers to entrepreneurship faced by Black women. In the dynamic landscape of entrepreneurship, support and guidance can be the difference between success
Entrepreneur Spotlight: Tosan Ugbeye of Scopemed
For early-stage technology startups, it’s generally understood that failing fast is a prerequisite for future success. Startup founders must be prepared to learn from mistakes and iterate rapidly to adapt to changes in the market, technology or user needs. Tosan Ugbeye, a registered clinician, certified anesthetist and the founder and CEO of ScopeMed, was working
Honoring Civil Rights Era Economic Initiatives During Black History Month
For centuries, systemic and structural racism has restricted economic progress for Black Americans, exacerbated the U.S.’s Black-white wealth gap and perpetuated fundamental racial injustice. Black History Month allows us to revisit the struggles and efforts to right the wrongs of racism while recommitting to our organizational objectives. JumpStart works to provide inclusive, accessible business growth
Meet the Participants of the Cleveland Small Business Impact Program’s Historic 20th Cohort
As JumpStart enters our 20th year, we remain steadfast in our mission of unlocking the full potential of entrepreneurship to transform our communities. Launched in 2016, JumpStart’s flagship Small Business Impact Program is the region’s leading business accelerator that provides hands-on advising and industry-specific mentoring to local entrepreneurs. The 12-week program focuses on helping participants
Entrepreneur Spotlight: Dawn Miller of Art Bound Studio
Entrepreneurship is not always predetermined. Sometimes, opportunities present themselves and enterprising individuals see a chance to make a career move. Owner and lead tattoo artist of Toledo-based Art Bound Studio, Dawn Miller is a perfect example of an accidental – but no less deserving – entrepreneur. In 2019, Dawn stumbled into the tattoo industry quite
10 Mobile Trends Small Business Owners Can’t Ignore in 2024
Welcome to 2024, where embracing the mobile-first world is no longer optional for small businesses; it’s imperative. With a significant shift in consumer behavior toward mobile usage, it’s beyond time to ensure that your business not only has an online presence but is also optimized for mobile devices. Here are 10 actionable steps you can
Entrepreneur Spotlight: Sam Friedman of City Goods
A strong small business network has the potential to propel an entrepreneur to new heights, especially if they run a retail shop. For artisans and makers, particularly those in the early stages, things like rent, utilities and staffing can add up quickly. Plus setting up shop in the right location is paramount since foot traffic
Small Business Saturday: Shop with Toledo-Based Impact Program Graduates
Small Business Saturday – a day when consumers are encouraged to support local small businesses in their communities – is celebrated the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Small Business Saturday has become a cherished tradition since it was founded in 2010. It has been cosponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration since 2011. Presented as a contrast
Small Business Saturday: Shop with Cleveland-Based Impact Program Graduates
Small Business Saturday – a day when consumers are encouraged to support local small businesses in their communities – is celebrated the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Small Business Saturday has become a cherished tradition since it was founded in 2010. It has been cosponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration since 2011. Presented as a contrast
Small Business, Big Conversations: Ray & Anasja Vernon of VARR Studios
Ray and Anasja Vernon share two unyielding passions: their love for each other and an insatiable drive for crafting creative content. With a space inside the world-famous The WORD Church, this visionary duo transformed their combined zeal into a beacon of multimedia content creation: VARR Studios. Together, they’ve not just built a business but have