The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and the City of Carbondale recently wrapped up the Carbondale Accelerator Program, an 18-month initiative to foster local entrepreneurship, strengthen the local business ecosystem and spur economic growth. Twenty-eight local entrepreneurs successfully completed the program, earning the opportunity to obtain financial assistance and more.
The city received an $80,707 Energy Transition Community Grant to fund the program, which provided participants with the chance to engage in a rigorous 10-week entrepreneurship course that covered a variety of topics such as launching and managing a small business, writing business plans, building budgets, filing formation paperwork and developing marketing strategies. They also received hands-on training, expert mentorship and the opportunity to receive up to $6,250 each in startup funding.
“Access to capital is one of the biggest barriers to starting a new business – especially for members of historically disadvantaged populations,” said Steven Mitchell, Carbondale economic development director. “Using startup capital from grant funds provided by the State of Illinois in combination with first-class entrepreneurship training from SIU’s SBDC provides a rare opportunity that will make a lasting impact for many aspiring entrepreneurs and their families.”
Many businesses launched
The program was open to new, aspiring entrepreneurs as well as existing businesses that were under 4 years old. Three training sessions (cohorts) were held, and 18 entrepreneurs launched new business ventures while 10 used the tools and funding to strengthen existing operations. Each of the 28 graduates received $1,250 in seed funding and participated in ribbon-cutting ceremonies and vendor fairs celebrating their achievements.
The participants represented a wide range of diverse services and industries, from food and farming to art, wellness, education and retail.
“As a result of the SBDC’s mentorship, I know how to strategize better, network effectively and make sales, which has allowed me to take a real shot at working full time as a commercial artist,” said Brook Yandle, owner of Hawthorne Art.
Program graduate Matthew Huff, owner of Claymaster Firearms, called the program “incredible.”
“The information I got was more than I could have asked for. It helped me realize the big picture and focus on the future of the business, not just the startup phase,” he said. “Being able to come up with realistic business plans and explore different scenarios gave me a solid foundation to grow from.”
Lindsey Zollner, owner of Virtue & Vision, likewise credited the Accelerator Program with helping her create a viable, successful enterprise.
“I had to meet solid deadlines, which meant procrastination wasn’t an option,” Zollner said. “If I wanted to succeed, I was forced to act. The advisers were always willing to guide me through challenges, and the program structure propelled my daydreams into reality.”
Going for more
Throughout the program, participants had the opportunity to compete in business pitch contests at the conclusion of each cohort for the chance to win additional seed funding. With support from the City of Carbondale, the first-place winners received $5,000 prizes and the second-place winners earned $2,500 for their businesses.
First place winners are:
- Jackie Robbins, Honey Heist Mead Co.
- Monique Spears, Emerged Beauty.
- AlessandRa Nicholson, The Candray Institute.
Second place winners are:
- Noah Scalero, BeetRoot Farm.
- Samantha Taylor, Southern Fire and Clay.
- Lindsey Zollner, Virtue & Vision.
Officials say the awards provide a validation of the business ideas as well as critical funding for tools, certifications, equipment and other essentials.
All program graduates were welcome to compete in a grand pitch contest. Eighteen entrepreneurs delivered 90-second presentations to a panel of judges. With support from the City of Carbondale, first prize winners received $4,800 each and the second place finishers claimed $1,866.
Winning first place are:
- Jerri Young, Taste & Live.
- Ellen Esling, Local Lore Farm.
- AlessandRa Nicholson, The Candray Institute.
Claiming second place honors are:
- Mary Jane Glisson Keller, Quick Magic Gardens.
- Lynne Weeks, Reading by the Weeks.
- Jackie Robbins, Honey Heist Mead Co.
“The success of our graduates is a testament to the value of collaboration between local government and higher education,” said Michael Jessup, director of the Illinois SBDC at SIU. “This program not only helped businesses get off the ground, but it also laid the foundation for their long-term sustainability and economic impact in Southern Illinois. With 28 graduates now equipped to build stronger businesses and serve their communities, the Carbondale Accelerator Program leaves a legacy of entrepreneurship, empowerment and economic resilience.”
Jessup noted that the business owners have already made wise use of their awards. For example, Young purchased a food truck to turn her vision of mobile dining into reality, while Weeks used her funding to earn an advanced credential as a certified dyslexia specialist in conjunction with her tutoring service for people with dyslexia, ADHD and autism.
“These examples underscore the unique needs of each business and how targeted support enables meaningful progress,” Jessup said.
For more information about the Illinois SBDC at SIU and its no-cost services, email sbdc@siu.edu, call 618-536-2424 or visit the website at sbdc.siu.edu.
