Start a Business, Change Your Life

What Is It?

The Start A Business – Change Your Life program helps people with low incomes create a sustainable business as a pathway out of poverty. It is a 10-month program with six key parts:

• Training/Learning: Six half day sessions on business basics
• Mentoring: Eight one-hour mentoring sessions with successful entrepreneurs/business people
• Consulting: Four projects completed in consultation with client by Morgan students/faculty
• Community Connections: Access to community resources and entrepreneurship support organizations
• Micro-lending: Access to small amounts of capital  
• Impact Assessment: Ongoing measurement of impact and feedback for continuous improvement

How Is It Going?

In the first cohort (2023), 41 people completed the training. 23 of those people have been matched with a mentor; 13 have completed 8 hours of mentoring. And 10 are currently receiving free consulting from Morgan students and faculty.

In the second cohort, which started February 10th, 2024, there were 163 applicants, 51 people were registered/accepted, 47 people completed the training and are now eligible to be matched with a mentor. We currently have 54 mentors but some are already working with a disadvantaged founder. If you would like to volunteer to be a mentor, please click this link: https://forms.gle/xAsDScC9aAaxkwS9A

Cohort 2 members who complete 8 hours of mentoring will be eligible for free consulting in the fall. And all cohort members are eligible to participate in a Showcase on April 12th at Morgan State University, where they can introduce their firm to the community and learn about entrepreneurial support resources.

Who Helped Make It Happen?

Carol Bacon, Pat Barkdoll, Terri Dotterer, Jim Foster, Pegg Melfa, Ted Ochs, Becky Pauliny, Merilee Penske, Kathy Shoaf, Rob Shoaf, and the mid-high youth all contributed to making the first part of the program for cohort 2, the training, successful. Carol and Pegg provided nutritious treats for the mid-morning snacks. Pat, Becky, and Jim covered the welcome desk and sign-in process; Pat covered all six Saturdays, she is a rockstar. Ted, with his extensive business background, served as a guest expert. He had cohort members captivated with his stories and experiences. He also volunteered to be a mentor and will be matched with a mentee shortly. Terri and Merilee and the mid-high youth took professional headshots of members that they can use in their business communications. Kathy and Rob met on-on-one with members to review their brief bios which were created to help match members with mentors.

The Carrol’s Gills Permanent Endowment Fund provided funds for food, so that members received breakfast and lunch during their long days of training (7:30 AM – 2:00 PM).

Thank you to all the volunteers and to the entire Hunt’s community for supporting this mission. Your generosity is making a difference.

If you have questions, want more information, or have ideas to contribute, please contact Mary Foster.