On the Monday before Christmas, Fort Worth Housing Solutions and the Center for Transforming Lives hosted a Pitch Night event to close out CTL’s Level Up Microenterprise Program for 2022. Four future business leaders were able to present their business plans to potential investors, and in the coming weeks and months, they will take the knowledge and skills they learned through this program to build the businesses of their dreams.
The Level Up Microenterprise Program is run by the Center for Transforming Lives. Each year, they accept several cohorts of aspiring entrepreneurs, giving them the tools they need to plan and prepare for launching their own businesses.
Each participant is paired with business mentors and financial advisors who teach them necessary skills in building a business such as target market research, developing a business model and writing a business plan. Additionally, once participants finish the program, they may qualify for a $2,000-$5,000 matched savings grant to help them with the start-up costs associated with their businesses.
Normally, the Level Up Microenterprise Program is a six-week program, but because of the holiday season, this cohort of participants learned the concepts and skills central to building a business in just three weeks.
Three of the participants in the final cohort of 2022 – Shuntoyia Shaw, Ni’Shara Luckey and Jeanelle Crockett – are also FWHS residents. Shaw will be developing a mobile phlebotomy business called Top of Line Technician. Crockett plans to open her business, Loc’d In With Nell, to provide mobile hairstyling services to the people of Fort Worth. Luckey will be selling specialized gift baskets in her business, Kashmere Koated Kisses.
The next cohort of the Level Up Microenterprise Program will start in the new year. More information about the program and how to apply can be found here on CTL’s website.
As they continue their journey of entrepreneurship, FWHS and Center for Transforming Lives will continue to provide the tools and resources to help them achieve success. Be on the lookout for opportunities to meet these future CEOs and sample their products and services soon!
