LANSING, Mich. (Mar. 7, 2024) — The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) proudly announces the selection of fourteen entrepreneurs for Cohort 8 of its acclaimed One and All entrepreneurship program. This program guides, mentors, and invests seed money in the region’s top new business idea creators. Participants must reside in Clinton, Eaton or Ingham County at an ALICE Threshold income level to qualify for the program.
Bob Trezise, president and CEO at LEAP, emphasized the program’s role in cultivating a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, stating, “To successfully expand and attract both new business and people to our region, we must not only provide traditional economic development policies like land and incentives, but we also must nurture a diverse, thriving entrepreneurial community accessible to all.”
Elena Herrera, a previous participant, lauded the program’s impact, stating, “One and All provides invaluable mentorship and resources essential for launching successful businesses.”
Tony Willis, LEAP’s chief equity development officer highlighted the program’s focus on supporting entrepreneurs traditionally underserved in accessing capital and mentorship. LEAP administers the program through grants such as the Ingham County Sunrise Grant Program and the Small Business Support Hubs from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
The two-month intensive training program offers immersive business and communication training, coaching, mentorship, and a $2,500 seed investment, empowering participants and fostering a more inclusive business community.
Meet the February-March 2024 Program Participants
• Alexandra Bennett, Grassroots Giving
• Amber Allen, Allen Family Affairs LLC
• Laura Jimenez-Bonney, Floor To Ceiling Natural Cleaning LLC
• Lorinda Torrez, G3FOOD4ALL
• Jeffrey Checker, Checker Industries
• Michael Taylor, 17 Winters Foundation, Inc.
• Clinton Mirelew, Clean For Anew LLC
• Ronald Ferguson, Ron Ferg, LLC
• Jasmine Fountain, God's Butterfly Effect
• Nate Giles, Giles Landscaping LLC
• Samantha Tenhove, Naughty Goat Farm
• Chyna Lyles, Covered In Cake
• Brittany Kipp-Pore, Mama B’s Daycare
• Emilio Nyce, Top 40 Djs LLC
This cohort embraces a diverse array of entrepreneurs hailing from various counties and industries. From consulting to hospitality, fashion, agriculture, and beyond, the selected fourteen participants represent a breakdown of geography and business sectors, embodying the program's commitment to inclusive entrepreneurship across the Lansing region’s diverse landscape.
Follow their journey and learn more about the One and All program on LEAP’s website at purelansing.com/oneandall.
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About One and All
One and All is an inclusive entrepreneurship initiative that aims to enhance equity in entrepreneurship by focusing on populations historically underrepresented among small-business owners such as Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), women, people with disabilities, immigrants and refugees, military veterans and formerly incarcerated people whose household income falls at or below the Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE).
