From 12 Businesses to 21, Meet the Next We Rise Cohort
Our We Rise family is growing! We are honored to introduce the second cohort of the We Rise business accelerator program. We’ve jumped from 12 to 21 participants and we could not be more excited to learn more about these incredible entrepreneurs and their businesses. From events management to art and consulting, come meet the wide variety of businesses coming into the program.
Pink Sky Photobooth
Looking for something for your event that will leave your guests talking? Pink Sky is a fun, fierce, and modern photo booth company offering open photo booths and 360 video booth experiences. They are known for their fun and energetic staff that are sure to bring that extra something.
SDJ Innovations
SDJ Innovations creator Shereka Jackson has had a long career and many experiences in STEM programs (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). She created SDJ to inspire and empower youth and young adults to have their own career in STEM and to train educators and adults how to successfully teach STEM.
Visit her website to learn more.
HLA Fashion
HLA Fashion is an e-commerce website that provides affordable clothing to people of all sizes. Everyone deserves to feel confident and Anita Farley is on a mission to do just that. Her love for fashion is what led her to start the business and she’s hoping to learn business skills to drive her sales. Find your new favorite outfit on her website.
Quest Consulting, LLC
Quest Consulting provides assistance to individuals preparing for trial and incarceration, as well as resolving problems that occur while incarcerated (medical access, facility transfers, family visitation, etc.), and/or reentering society successfully (navigating probational systems, supervised release and community transitional housing). The goal of this business is to provide its clients with the best knowledge and advice regarding their specific situations as well as to ensure they complete their terms of release and reenter society with tools and knowledge to succeed. Follow them on Twitter at @Quest_Experts or visit their website.
Liddile Marketing
Liddile Marketing is a small, but mighty marketing agency assisting small businesses with creating, implementing and sustaining marketing strategies. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram at @liddilemarketing.
Paint On Me
Paint On Me is a children's entertainment company providing face painting, balloon twisting, and soap bubble performances and parties in private homes, and at festivals, schools, libraries, corporate events, and more. Get your fun on and check them out on Facebook or Instagram.
VintageOats
Ciara Bennett founded VintageOats out of concern after only finding overly-processed granola with high levels of sugar in grocery stores. This mother of three decided to do something and began experimenting with creating healthier granola options. Follow her on Instagram and Facebook at @VintageOats and get a taste of your new go-to snack.
Leveraging, INK (dba Leverage Trust)
According to David Evans, founder of Leveraging Ink, 95,000 small West Coast nonprofits raise more than $50,000 in fundraising dollars annually, yet they cannot afford a qualified development director. Leveraging, INK has the expertise to guide 501(c)(3) organizations through the process of identifying and refining the tools, resources and personnel required to create a sustainable fundraising strategy that allows them, donors and most importantly, the mission of the organization, to thrive.
Crayon Box Consulting Group, LLC
Crayon Box Consulting Group, LLC provides consulting services embedded in diversity and cultural solutions to meet the diverse needs of corporations, educational and community agencies. Services include professional development, coaching, mentoring, strategic planning and development.
I AM Undefined Art
I AM Undefined Art's mission is to awaken the soul and uplift the world with emotion-provoking bold urban fine art that offers inspiration in the most positive and immersive way. Get inspired and check them out on their website.
SageValley Notary Services
Sage Valley Notary Services is committed to providing a high level of professionalism and accuracy while executing mobile loan signings and notarizations to the community. Make your next loan easy and check out their website for more information.
Hair I Am
Hair I Am is a beauty salon based in Laveen and created by Deresa Clay with the goal of providing great service to clients while also training the next generation of beauticians.
Wirequeen
Wirequeen is a business that provides apparel at a reasonable cost for working-class women. Reinvent your wardrobe on their website or get some bling from their Instagram page.
Crisp U.S Thrift
Crisp U.S. Thrift is a Black owned and operated, gender-affirming fashion company that specializes in sustainable restoration and repurposing of vintage goods. The business’ namesake is Crispus Attucks (c. 1723-1770), a Black and Indigenous escaped slave and unsung martyr of the Revolutionary War. Tameira and Kyra, the powerful duo behind this business, are working to reestablish restorative trade practices in the metropolitan Phoenix community. They work sustainably by sourcing secondhand and vintage items, hand-crafting apparel, and restoring goods by hand. In addition to this, they also provide educational services such as community sewing lessons, storytelling, and textile machinery repair.
Check them out at their website.
SoFreshSmells LLC
A business that lives up to its name, SoFreshSmells was created by Safiyyah Johnson to provide natural products for your home, body, and pets. Safiyyah’s goal for the We Rise program is to create the structure her growing business needs to thrive. Find her and some new cleaning products on Instagram.
The Diaspora Collective
The Diaspora Collective is an immersive experience to celebrate Africa and the African diaspora. This business celebrates Black joy, love and purpose. It is a place to celebrate, discover and connect with the food, culture, music and people of Africa and the African diaspora. Find them on Instagram or on their website.
Central Arizona Services
Central Arizona Services and Assistance, LLC, or C.A.S.A, is a ADHS-licensed agency, servicing families in Maricopa, Pinal, and Pima counties and throughout Arizona. The Purpose of C.A.S.A. is to support individuals by promoting recovery, self determination, self esteem, and building strong families and wellness in all aspects of life.
Phoenix LOC
Phoenix LOC is a local, nonprofit focused on bettering the condition of the Black community through leadership development, program establishment and organizing. Check out their website to get involved.
Phoenix Tax and Books Solutions
The Phoenix Tax and Books Solution is a tax preparation business that works with low income families and immigrants with the goal of expanding into a bookkeeping business.
Loveur
Loveur offers music and arts festival-inspired clothing to the free-spirited individual who enjoys standing out for the right price. Streetwear and contemporary art are both big inspirations for Loveur as well as brands such as Versace, Moschino and Balmain. Loveur has a mid- to high-end price point for artistic fashion apparel. Find your next statement piece on their website or check them out on Facebook and Instagram.
It’s hard work starting a business! Take some time to check out these rising stars and keep supporting local! Learn more about the We Rise program here and meet the inaugural cohort.