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Five local entrepreneurs recently graduated from JumpStart’s Stark County Small Business Impact Program, and Alyssa Hudachek of Little Things Sugar Studio in Alliance was awarded $10,000 at its culminating pitch competition.
JumpStart is a nonprofit organization that helps entrepreneurs grow by providing high-impact services, funding opportunities and a supportive network of resources. For over 20 years, the organization has worked with community partners to ensure entrepreneurship continues to strengthen Ohio’s economy — knowing that the whole region benefits when startups and small businesses succeed.
Hosted at JumpStart’s offices at the Hall of Fame Village, the Stark County Small Business Impact Program provides entrepreneurs with hands-on education and personalized advising to sharpen their business acumen and scale strategically.
The Stark County Small Business Impact Program is an intensive 12-week group-based program that provides promising entrepreneurs with focused advice, education on essential business topics and impactful tools and resources to help business owners pursue growth. To participate, entrepreneurs must operate a business within Stark County, meet with an adviser during the application process and generate more than $100,000 in annual revenue.
The program places a special emphasis on financial projections and capital pitches, culminating in a live pitch competition where participants present to a panel of judges for a chance to take home $10,000.
The most recent cohort was made up of local business owners Hudachek, Abby Calhoun and Delaney Kluender of Suddy Buddy’s Grooming in Massillon, Javonte Jackson of Canton who runs City Live Experience, Corine Marie of Canton with Inner Word Media and Alexa Valentino of Ora D’Oro in Canton.
While Hudachek won the pitch competition and grand prize, the other participants also received $2,500 to grow their businesses.
“Thank you JumpStart for existing,” Hudachek said. “Thank you for giving the creative minds that start businesses, but maybe don't have the college degree to go with it, the chance to learn the behind-the-scenes systems we need to keep pushing forward.”
Together with support from Stark Community Foundation and the Stark Economic Development Board, JumpStart has reestablished its presence in Canton with a dedicated team of entrepreneurs-in-residence and initiatives like the Small Business Impact Program.
Learn more about upcoming opportunities and resources at www.jumpstartinc.org.