First Graduates Share How We Rise Changed Their Business
After six months of mentorship, strengthening their business models, building financial skills, gaining access to capital, and safely exploring the social aspects of being a Black-owned business in Arizona, We Rise’s first cohort is ready to graduate on July 31st!
We met with five of the soon-to-be graduates to talk about their experiences within the program and how it’s helped their business.
MEET THE BUSINESSES
Meela Hill, JijiVisha Holistic
The mission of JijiVisha Holistic is to make holistic care the norm for people of color from all walks of life. Meela is certified to offer yoga, meditation, mindfulness training, THRIVE Fitness coaching, fertility & birth doula services. In business since June of 2020, JijiVisha Holistic is the place to come to a new level of wellness.
Derek Robinson, Derek Sips
Derek Sips will soon become your new favorite coffee place. Their menu is simple but full of delicious coffees that highlight the country, culture and flavors of the origin of the beans they use. As they continue to grow, they plan to begin serving food that also matches the country from which their coffee comes.
Adriona London, Slay Blessed LLC
When you go looking for hair and beauty products, it’s important to purchase them from someone who understands your specific needs. This is what drives Adriona and her beauty supply business. Her knowledge and expertise will allow her to offer a helpful and warm experience for people of color.
Angela and Johnnie, Daisy Family Health
Daisy Family Health is owned and operated by husband and wife team Angela Davis-Taylor and Johnnie Taylor. Their clinic provides primary care services through a direct primary care model and membership program; the patient pays an affordable monthly cost and has access to unlimited clinic and virtual visits. They are truly dedicated to the health of their community.
Germaine Graham, Deafinitely Communicating
The purpose of Deafinitely Communicating is a speech and language practice dedicated to fostering the communication skills of Deaf/Hard of Hearing (D/HH) children and adults in the Phoenix metro area. Owner Germaine is uniquely qualified to help provide a strong language foundation as an American Sign Language interpreter and an experienced speech-language pathologist.
WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE WE RISE PROGRAM?
Meela Hill: This has been such an eye-opening experience for me. You don’t know what you don’t know! I would not have been able to afford this resource on my own and it has been great to be connected to other Black people locally and see what is going on with them.
Derek Robinson: I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to be part of the first “We Rise” cohort through Local First AZ. Initially, I was hesitant and slightly worried about being within the program, but it truly has been a remarkable experience and a blessing to be involved with. The reality of having professional and seasoned black business owners volunteer their time, energy, and knowledge to help out others within the community is astounding. The resources that were steadily provided really ensured we could learn, grow, and thrive as we seek to establish our businesses and brands.
Adriona London: My experience with We Rise has been phenomenal! I have taken lots of business courses and been a part of a few business conferences and more, but none of these can compare to the amount of wisdom and support that I have received from the We Rise program. I love that we have mentors and peer groups within this program to help keep us on track and encouraged.
Angela and Johnnie: Our experience has been phenomenal. For the first few weeks, we were thinking...we know all of this information...but shortly learned that is not true. The connections we have made with our peers have been fun and uplifting. It is so nice to see other people who look like you take an interest in what you have to offer and offer so much in return.
Germaine Graham: My experience with the We Rise program has been amazing from beginning to end. Having the opportunity to participate in this program has been a blessing to me, my family, and my business. The past five months have provided me opportunities to connect with fellow Black entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners, participate in networking events, attend virtual summits, and become part of a new family (Local First).
WHAT BUSINESS IMPROVEMENTS HAVE YOU SEEN?
Meela Hill: The biggest growth is that I have the beginnings of a business plan, which I didn’t really know I needed. I started the LLC and reserved the site name last May but didn’t know where to go from there. Then I found Local First and the We Rise program. It was the last day to apply but I did anyway even though I didn’t feel prepared or even really know what all it entailed. Since working with the We Rise business accelerator, I’ve worked with NAMI Dekalb on a trauma-informed yoga series and appeared on several panels for Women’s Health and Mental Health.
Derek Robinson: The two primary improvements we have implemented for Derek Sips are clearly defining and articulating our Value Proposition, and evaluating our opportunity cost. Offering freshly roasted coffee is great, and doing it as a black-owned business is phenomenal as well, but what makes our business different and brings value to our customers is completely different. Sometimes entrepreneurs come with a great product/service, but there needs to always be that “it” factor which makes customers come to you for business. Better yet, not just having customers come, but keeping them as loyal repeat customers means the business is bringing them value.
We also were reassured in thinking through opportunity cost in growing our business. It has been difficult to watch multiple coffee shops appear throughout the valley and our continued desire to have a brick and mortar. At the same time, we never want to overextend ourselves and put our family (7 of us total) in a bind. Even though we desire to have a brick and mortar, the upfront cost, maintenance cost, and all-around ongoing fixed cost could easily make or break the business. As much as it would serve for more marketing, branding, and name recognition throughout the valley we believe (and were assured) that providing quality products to loyal customers without the overhead can be far more advantageous in the long run.
Adriona London: I have seen tremendous growth in my business plan and business model. I am confident that I will be able to not only successfully launch, but I will also be able to successfully maintain the business.
Angela and Johnnie: We have improved in so many ways. We have stepped out of our comfort zone and pursued opportunities to connect with other businesses, our mentor sends us various training and ways to connect. The biweekly training has also helped us rearrange certain elements of our business.
Germaine Graham: Since joining the program, I have acquired two clients and launched my social media account all before officially launching my business. I have also increased in my understanding of personal finance, business plan writing and development, and goal setting.
WHY ARE SMALL BUSINESSES IMPORTANT TO ARIZONA?
Meela Hill: Small business is what keeps the community running. Small businesses in AZ create thousands of jobs each year, approximately 80% of new jobs, employing about 1 million Arizonans. We bring innovative ideas and new ways of doing old things.
Derek Robinson: Small businesses not only help our economy grow but keep that growth sustainable. The benefits of small businesses to a community are endless.
Adriona London: In my opinion, small businesses are important to AZ because small businesses are a huge help when it comes to boosting the economy. Small businesses will never go out of style and Arizonans truly support their local small business.
Angela and Johnnie: Thanks to the We Rise program, we learned how small businesses keep the money in the state of Arizona. Small businesses are the backbone of the state. Although, this was known in the back of our head to see the statistics, really put it in perspective.
Germaine Graham: Small businesses boost local economies and keep more money within their communities. Local businesses provide Arizonans with important job opportunities, increase the local tax base, and encourage entrepreneurship.
WHAT WILL IT MEAN TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY TO START OR GROW THIS BUSINESS?
Meela Hill: It means everything to me to start and build my business. As a first-generation business owner, I am an example. I am setting the bar. I am showing my daughter that if you want something, you go get it. Even if it’s really hard, you can take a break but persist. In my eyes, growing my business means freedom. Freedom to make my own schedule and spend more time with my child, financial freedom, and freedom to live where I feel most comfortable.
Derek Robinson: This opportunity will help me take the next step in establishing a family business to provide for our family, give my children opportunities I did not have growing up, and hopefully a place for the community to connect with and feel cared for as if they were part of our family as well
Adriona London: It would mean a ton to my family and I to start and grow this business because it has been a long time coming. We believe in breaking the generational curses of poverty and leaving behind an inheritance for our children's children and this business will help us do just that.
Angela and Johnnie: It could be the starting point of building generational wealth. Angela's daughters are in the healthcare field, this is an option for them to have employment and possibly grow to ownership. It is another opportunity to offer employment to our family and teach them how to be entrepreneurs.
Germaine Graham: Starting my business, Deafinitely Communicating, would literally change the trajectory of my family. It would give us the flexibility, finances, and future not currently afforded to us by working for others. It would provide much-needed resources to Deaf and Hard of Hearing children and their families. It would provide support to children and adults in our community that have difficulty with communication, feeding, or cognition.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED TO IMPLEMENT?
Meela Hill: I am most excited about completing and implementing my business plan. Seeing it on paper is overwhelming sometimes. It is the part that is giving me the most difficulty so overcoming this portion will give me the boost of confidence I need to feel official.
Derek Robinson: In an effort to grow the business more and tap into the “brick and mortar” feel and market, we decided to put together a coffee cart instead. This will help us to continue to keep our overhead low and have steady growth in the business while still giving us great flexibility.
Adriona London: Of all of the things I have learned in this program, I am most excited about implementing the business budget and financial statement. This is key because it will help me be able to see where my business stands and where it is headed.
Angela and Johnnie: The business plan has been the most intimidating as a business. The current business plan was a template we found [through a] small business association, it was not relevant whatsoever, and there was not any training behind it. We just filled in the blanks but had no clue on what it meant. To finish a real business plan, will be so rewarding and it can help us when we plan to seek an SBA loan, which will be in about two years.
Germaine Graham: I am most excited to launch my business and network with other local entrepreneurs and professionals!
Through mentorship, fellowship, and educational exploration with established Black entrepreneurs, We Rise strives to power Arizona’s emerging Black entrepreneurs one business at a time while building a more inclusive and sustainable local economy. Interested in applying for the We Rise program? Check out the application here.