Danielle Jackson (right), of Shelby Township, founder of Yell’s Sweets Bakery, talks with Antonette Slobodian, founder of Creators Come Together, during a recent Women’s Business Builders Bootcamp at the Velocity Center in Sterling Heights. Photo by Nadia Lapensie, Velocity Center Events Coordinator.
Adrienne Lakes of Macomb Township said after a failed attempt earlier this year to complete a business plan for her fledgling business, she was able to achieve that at a recent Women’s Business Building Bootcamp in Sterling Heights.
She admitted that when she previously tried under the guidance of others, “I was overwhelmed and had very little guidance.”
For her most recent endeavor, she received quality training from Dusty Welsh, Sister Sprout facilitator and small business entrepreneurship coach at the Velocity Center on 18 Mile Road.
“Mr. Welsh made the classes interactive and fun, and no question was too silly,” Lakes said of Mr. Welsh. “It was a useful program no matter what stage you were at, and I would highly recommend it to anyone thinking about starting a small business or who has recently launched a small business.”
Lakes was one of 14 Macomb County entrepreneurs to complete the program, which included six two-hour weekly sessions, “homework assignments” and a graduation ceremony last month.
The camp helped the Velocity Center take advantage of a $1.8 million Small Business Support Hub grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which will allow Velocity to run the program through September 2026, said Megan Hubbs, small business program manager for Velocity, a business incubator and “accelerator.”
The boot camp is designed to “provide transformative business-building experience to early stage female entrepreneurs throughout Macomb County,” Hubbs said.
Participants were mentored by businesswomen and experts in fields such as finance and marketing.
“This is all about growing small businesses,” Hubbs said. “This grant is really great because it helps small businesses in any sector.”
The focus is on completing a business plan, which Welsh noted is “a critical step for founders because it provides a framework for setting goals, defining strategy, and measuring progress.”
“For women entrepreneurs, prioritizing the completion of a business plan will maximize the potential of their business and bring innovation, economic growth and positive change to the Macomb region and surrounding areas,” she said.
Hubbs said the grants are targeted to entrepreneurs who have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, people who live in “rural and underserved” areas, veterans, women, minorities and those experiencing economic hardship.
The women pay $75 in tuition and will receive a $1,000 business plan completion grant upon graduation to put towards their business, as well as the opportunity to pitch their ideas for further funding.
Lakes said she also benefited from the camaraderie among the participants.
“It’s been amazing because of the participation and unity of the women,” she said.
Lakes, 54, has set up and is slowly developing her holistic wellness and mindfulness business, Balance & Vibe, which she plans to take up full-time once she retires from full-time work in two years’ time.
She holds a Master’s degree in Spirituality, Culture and Health from Western Michigan University and a certification in Health and Wellness Coaching from Macomb Community College.
She plans to offer a variety of services, including sound therapy, meditation, and “mindfulness” (similar to meditation). Her goal is to implement programs for people through local libraries, wellness centers and businesses. She has her first event scheduled for Nov. 2 at the Mount Clemens Library; a time has yet to be determined.
Other bootcamp participants were Antonette Slobodian, Anita Blackmon, Danielle Jackson, Lillian Jacobs, Chantelle Jones, Tracy Scott, Giselle Godin, Theresa Phillips, Diana Bledsoe, Jenita Smith, Melissa Lavender, Chineba Early and Antoinette Purnell.
Another boot camp will be held in the fall for the new group.
Velocity Center was founded 11 years ago as a collaboration between the City of Sterling Heights, Macomb County and Oakland University to support entrepreneurs and growing businesses, and as one of Michigan’s 21 Smart Zones, is financially supported by the Smart Zone Tax Increment Financing District and MEDC grant funding.
