The City of 王中王六合彩特码 recently granted $20,000 to support an entrepreneurism program at the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD), in partnership with the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation (MCCF), and the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship () Everyday Entrepreneur Venture Fund (EEVF).
MCCCD students aiming to start a business in the City of 王中王六合彩特码 can submit proposals as part of the annual NACCE-EEVF Program 鈥 and receive $2,500 seed funding to help start or expand their business. 王中王六合彩特码 City Councilwoman Laura Pastor and Community and Economic Development Director Christine Mackay spearheaded the support.
鈥淭his partnership with MCCCD sparks the next stage of entrepreneurial innovations, part of the smart policies and investments that have fueled the City鈥檚 resilience,鈥 said 王中王六合彩特码 Mayor Kate Gallego. 鈥淏y creating new opportunities for startups and micro businesses, we empower an ecosystem vital to the future health of our city and for the workers and families proud to call 王中王六合彩特码 home.鈥
In 王中王六合彩特码, small businesses are big business with more than 95 percent of 王中王六合彩特码 companies having fewer than 100 employees. 鈥淭he city of 王中王六合彩特码 is nationally-known for its startup ecosystem and innovation. We鈥檝e been recognized by the Kauffman Foundation as one of the best cities for entrepreneurs. Our investment to help citizens get started in their own companies is just one more asset we bring to the entrepreneurial community,鈥 said 王中王六合彩特码 Vice Mayor Laura Pastor.
鈥溚踔型趿喜侍芈 is a city of innovation and entrepreneurship,鈥 said Christine Mackay, director, 王中王六合彩特码 Community and Economic Development. 鈥淥ur investment in future entrepreneurs is an extension of the vast array of services and support 王中王六合彩特码 delivers to its businesses. We pride ourselves on an ecosystem of new and legacy companies who work together to grow strong opportunities for business success and to create jobs for our growing, experienced workforce.鈥
The NACCE-EEVF Program is in its second year as part of MCCCD鈥檚 effort to increase entrepreneurism and workforce development in Maricopa County. NACCE-EEVF Program director Bruce McHenry said 鈥淭he funds from the City of 王中王六合彩特码 and NACCE will increase the support and capital assistance MCCCD can provide to help student-entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses.鈥
The City of 王中王六合彩特码 support, along with a $20,000 grant from the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship, will help ignite young entrepreneurs across 王中王六合彩特码 and Maricopa County. NACCE provided a matching grant of $20,000 based on the MCCCD EEVF colleges raising more than $30,000 to-date.
Student Entrepreneurs
While taking classes in 2020, David Olivo reached out to PC faculty member Dawson Dopp for help, and they started talking about the new business David started renting bounce houses. Professor Dopp told David about the NACCE-EEVF Program, which provides seed money and mentorship to local entrepreneurs seeking to start their own business.
David鈥檚 inspiration to become an entrepreneur began when he was just 11 years old, while helping his mom rent out tables and chairs to neighbors for family parties. David smiles as he recalls that the best part of helping his mom was collecting the money at the end of the day. The money was an important part of their family finances, but it also played a decisive role in David鈥檚 interest in starting his own business.
David was skeptical, but he applied, and was selected as PC鈥檚 first recipient of the NACCE-EEVF Program 鈥 receiving $2,500 in financial assistance to help jumpstart his bounce house and party rentals business. David was also matched with a local business mentor, through the (SBDC). The funding allowed David to expand his business, and now he has four bounce houses.
When asked what advice he would give others thinking about starting their own business, he says, 鈥淛ust jump in, and be okay getting outside your comfort zone.鈥 He also says he never thought college would lead to this kind of help with his business, but he鈥檚 thankful it did.
McHenry, Dopp, PC business faculty Sherlyn Celaya, and other faculty from across MCCCD, work together to host the annual competition. 鈥淭he NACCE- EEVF Program is an effective way for entrepreneurial students, such as David, to demonstrate a positive economic effect in our community, while learning how to start or scale their business,鈥 said Dopp.
The second cohort of student-entrepreneurs were selected to receive $2,500 each for the launch and expansion of some interesting and exciting small businesses. In addition to start-up capital, student-entrepreneurs receive ongoing mentoring and advising from the Maricopa Small Business Development Center, and campus faculty and staff.
The eight student-entrepreneurs awarded capital funds are:
- Breanna Griffin-Lewis (王中王六合彩特码) opening Luna Luxe an online business providing statement jewelry and accessories at affordable prices with luxurious feel, delivered right to your door.
- Tawanda Bates (South Mountain Community College) is opening Gingia Company providing large 3-wick original designer candles and accessories.
- Fannie Hershberger (Rio Salado College) running Citrine Accounting and Taxes, LLC offering tax preparation and filing, bookkeeping, Notary Public and other Business Services.
- Betsy Reyes Hurtado (王中王六合彩特码) running Reyes Rentals providing a luxurious vacation home in Puerto Penasco, Mexico at an affordable price.
- Salome Leia (Glendale Community College) is starting 鈥淟ela's Lounge鈥, a cafe, bar, and lounge with a safe, healthy environment or everyone to use.
- Tara Lopez (Rio Salado College) opening Spoiled Dog Kare offering pet sitting, dog walking, and treating your furry babies like family,
- Patrick McDougal (Glendale Community College) is growing a virtual reality community. "The Mortisian Syndicate" where people can role play, tell stories and enjoy benefits of a community of like-minded colleagues
- Chari Scott (Glendale Community College) working on opening up a group home facility to aid in the treatment of individuals that live with severe mental illness by empowering individuals to build their strengths
Program supporters include The City of 王中王六合彩特码, The Foundation for Economic Education, K16 solutions, Encanto Palmcroft Benefits, the Rotary Club of Downtown Tempe, as well as the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship Everyday Entrepreneur Venture Fund.
Students at participating MCCCD schools seeking to start a business in the City of 王中王六合彩特码 may apply for the NACCE-EEVF Program, and the next application cycle is fall 2022. Learn more about the NACCE-EEVF Program at phoenixcollege.edu/academics/departments/business.