Six One and All Graduating Class Continues to Accelerate Economic Mobility Across Clinton, Eaton, Ingham and Shiawassee Counties
LANSING, Mich. (Aug. 3, 2022) – Nineteen entrepreneurs from across the Lansing region celebrated the end of a two-month journey of business growth with the sixth program of One and All, an inclusive entrepreneurship initiative created in 2020 by the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) and funded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Consumers Energy Foundation.
The One and All program has a history of yielding graduates who have strengthened the economic development of our region—opening brick and mortar stores, collaborating on projects and deepening their commitment to their business and the community.
"We couldn't be more thrilled that One and All is proving to increase economic mobility in the Lansing region," said Bob Trezise, president and CEO of LEAP. "In two short years, 83% of One and All graduates have formed their business's legal entity, eight have opened brick and mortar locations, and we are seeing an average $10,000 increase in participants' household income within the first six months post-graduation. These graduates have planted roots in our community, and LEAP will continue helping them spread those roots through further connection within the region's entrepreneurial ecosystem."
Through a unique and intensive 2-month program, the entrepreneurs and small-business owners were immersed in an intensive experience of business and communication training, coaching, mentoring and access to an extended professional network culminating in a small seed investment. Lack of access to these critical resources is a common obstacle to success, especially for the underrepresented populations the One and All program supports.
"Being a part of One and All cohort six has been a blessing. This program provided me with a community and resources to help me grow my business and matched me with a business mentor who truly cares about the success of my business and the impact it can have on my community," said Alex Malone, owner of Malone Family Auto Detailing. "I have learned so much and received many tools I can use in my daily business dealings. My next step is to work on building a website and continue to bring notoriety to Malone Family Detailing and serving the community by bringing a new approach to detailing cars."
The May-July 2022 One and All program also welcomed 19 program mentors to support each entrepreneur's journey.
One and All mentors provide expert guidance and insight, help mentees clarify goals, identify strategies to advance their ideas and navigate challenging situations, and will be a permanent part of their mentee's support network after graduation. One and All program mentors are established professionals with rich life experience who hail from various business types, higher education, entrepreneurship support organizations, and state and local economic development; many are entrepreneurs themselves.
"I love being a mentor of LEAP's One and All program, one of the many resources in the Lansing Region that support small business development. Being able to connect entrepreneurs with the people and experts that will help their businesses grow and thrive is vital to the regional economy," said One and All program six mentor, Julie Reinhardt, director of downtown community development at Downtown Lansing, Inc.
Learn more about One and All and stay updated about upcoming application deadlines and program opportunities at purelansing.com/oneandall.
"LEAP is proud of One and All's proven success in reducing the systemic barriers and lack of access standing between great ideas and small-business success for marginalized entrepreneurs," said Katlyn Cardoso, director of entrepreneurial ecosystem development at LEAP. "We are deeply grateful to our program partners, The Fledge and the Refugee Development Center; our curriculum partners, the Michigan Small Business Development Center at Lansing Community College and Piper & Gold Public Relations and our funders MEDC and Consumers Energy Foundation for helping make this program possible for the Lansing region."
One and All May-July 2022 Program Graduates
- Derek Bell, 112 Recording Studio
- Ken Dail, K. Dail & Associates
- Tyrone Davis, Tyrone Davis Art
- Savoya Dillard, Lucious Lashes & More
- Sheila Fisher, FSSalon
- Susan Green, Vineyard Production/Creative Arts Theatre
- Zuhair Jafar, Soap Supreme Auto Detail
- Mariah Johnson, Simply Aesthetic
- Liz Kruger, Honey Bun Bakery
- Coire Luckett, Coco's Custom Crafts
- Alex Malone, Malone Family Auto Detailing
- Malachi McClain, Flashmode Clothing
- Rihab Musa, Nubian Jewelry
- Aaliyah Nixon, Hourglass Physique Boutique
- Vernita Payne, luveenis&Co
- Kendra Schneider, Takeout Takeout
- Shawn Thomas, Zeep Life
- Tommy Washington, Members Only Boxing and Fitness
- Nieisha Yarbrough, Fetish
- Bara Aldasoqui, Founder, Sympill
- Jose Aste, Head Chef/Owner, Tantay
- Jaime Dibean, Managing Director, AF Group
- Lisa Fisher, Founder, Lisa Fisher Associates
- Jesse Flores, Owner/Founder, Super Web Pros
- Jessy Gregg, Mayor Pro Tem City of East Lansing
- Kylee Guenther, CEO, Pivot Materials
- Jacky Halliwill, VP Commercial Lender, Commercial Bank
- Kevin Irwin, Chief Financial Officer, TechSmith
- Owen Monday, Jr., Division Director, Toastmasters
- Monica Morgan, Founder, Monica Morgan Photography
- Luke Hackney, Owner/Founder, RetroDuck
- Jerry Norris, Founder, The Fledge
- Kelly Preston, President, Capital Steel and Wire
- Denise Peek, M.S., CED, Elements of Innovation, LLC
- Julie Reinhardt, Director of Downtown Development, Downtown Lansing, Inc.
- Doug Roberts, Director of Stakeholder Relations, Consumers Energy
- Mary Stucko, Insurance and Risk Management/Business Professor, LCC
- Laurey Wyble, Director of Operations, Great Lakes Crystal Technologies
- Amy Zander, Founder and Owner, Zeedia Media
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About LEAP
The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) is a coalition of area leaders partnering to build a stronger community for all—working every day to grow, retain and attract business to the Lansing, Michigan, region.
