EforAll Greater Worcester Winter Cohort 2023 Helps Local Entrepreneurs Reach Their Potential

Worcester, Mass. – The EforAll Greater Worcester Winter Cohort 2023 has recently taken off, and it has been a transformative experience for the local entrepreneurial community. The program provides resources, mentorship, and support to help entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life and grow their businesses.

The winter cohort brought together a diverse group of entrepreneurs from various industries. Over the course of the program, they receive training and guidance from experienced mentors and industry experts, who provided valuable insights and advice.

One of the standout features of the EforAll Greater Worcester is its focus on inclusive entrepreneurship. The program strives to provide equal access and support to entrepreneurs from all backgrounds, regardless of their race, gender, or socio-economic status. This focus on inclusiveness has helped create a supportive and collaborative environment, where entrepreneurs can learn from each other and grow together.

In addition to the mentorship and training, the winter cohort is provided a platform for the entrepreneurs to network and collaborate with their peers. The cohort fostered a supportive community, where the entrepreneurs could share their experiences, challenges, and successes, and gain valuable perspectives from others.

The EforAll Greater Worcester Winter Cohort 2023 has been instrumental in helping local entrepreneurs bring their businesses to the next level. The participants are gaining valuable knowledge, connections, and resources that will help them grow and succeed in the future.

In conclusion, the EforAll Greater Worcester Winter Cohort 2023 is becoming a transformative experience for the local entrepreneurial community. The program has empowered entrepreneurs with the tools and support they need to succeed, and it has fostered a supportive and inclusive community for entrepreneurs to thrive. The impact of the EforAll Greater Worcester Winter Cohort 2023 will be felt for years to come as these entrepreneurs continue to grow and succeed.

Let’s take a minute to meet the cohort!

SidSplendid Herbals: Scyndy Hesley

My idea is to create products for overall  holistic health, including skincare, teas, tinctures,  health drinks, and also to teach people how to connect with nature and use what the earth provides us to heal our bodies and minds for our well being.

Real Meals with Linette: Linette Ortiz

I have a strong passion in catering services with the plan to purchase a food truck that would allow me to offer meals when I do not have large events to host. Serving the community a small variety of salads, sandwiches and a special of the day. I would need a solid team to help with the events as well as day to day truck operation.

LunchBox Munchies: Cherise Villanueva 

Currently, I am working out of the Worcester Food Hub. While I still want to cater big events, my idea is to have my own storefront called Lunchbox Munchies where people can come in, purchase a “Lunch Box” and take their charcuterie box to-go. While there will be Lunch Boxes readily available with a cheese roulette (different, out-of-the-ordinary cheese chosen for them), buyers will be able to pick out cheeses and meats in an assembly line. I also want my product to be shipped within the country and have my own charcuterie boards readily available for sale. As the business grows, and because I am a teacher, I would love to have a space big enough to host workshops for youth who are interested in the trade.

Anchor of promise foundation: Derrick Boateng

My vision for this foundation is to support widows and orphan communities by providing opportunities for change through education and mentorship, with the goal of allowing individuals to unleash their full potential. My vision is built on the concept that a poor environment undermines great destiny. I believe in the power of community and that everyone deserves the opportunity to unleash their greatness. This foundation targets widows and orphans as they are the most disregarded and disadvantaged group.

Community Health Awareness Network: Lovo D. D. Koliego

My big idea is to someday open a facility/center that will serve as a resource hub for members of the African immigrant community through a series of culturally relevant educational initiatives and programs.   The idea focuses on community education, training, network building and resource allocation. The Graceful Aging program focuses on providing direct educational, outreach, and connection services to elders within the Worcester African immigrant community. This initiative will also focus on providing social connections, health care informational sessions, and community referrals to services for this deeply underserved group.

Honestly Necessary: Jasmine Acevedo

Honestly Necessary is a resin business I created during the pandemic. What started from a therapeutic hobby turned into a full blown obsession. Everything made is Necessary and made with love. I love to make items that bring people together and great conversation starters. Items that bring people together like domino sets, shot glass platters and serving trays. Many items that I hand make that seem to be great conversation starters are accent tables, coasters, jewelry boxes, ring dishes, badge reels, and floral oval trays.

What I ultimately want to do is turn my vendor set up into a food truck, and give customers a different type of shopping experience. Instead of  passing by a tent and pair of tables they would walk into a truck or bus where all my resin art would be displayed.

What’s Up Worcester: Jerry Filmore

Here at What’s Up Worcester, our main goal is to keep the community informed of local news, from businesses to City Hall and everything in between. What’s Up Worcester is for anyone who wants to stay up to date on what’s going on in the community, as well as businesses and entrepreneurs who want to reach the heart of Worcester! We are able to accomplish this by bringing you a more personal style of news that gives you a true sense of who the people in our community really are, and what they do. Unlike other outlets, we come from the community we serve, and have genuine relationships with our audience, mainly  because we are familiar with the Worcester community as a whole. We will always strive to be the voice of the Worcester community, no matter who they are or what beliefs they may have!

Spiritually Fabulous: Michelle Memnon

Spiritually Fabulous, LLC, is an event management service that is passionate about turning our clients’ visions into reality and building community. With over two decades in the industry, a knack for creative problem-solving, and a trusted network of professionals, our team helps manifest joyous and memorable events.

Mandie C’s Sweetery: Amanda Carlson

Everything sweet in one place. We take typical sweets and combine them with classical and adventurous flavors. From Coffee flavored sugar cookies to apple pie in a jar, and beyond. We constantly expand our flavors and product selection bringing more treats from other cultures into our offerings. Sweets from around the world would be sold and available for all to enjoy.

Woo Juice: Isaiah D. Tatum & Noel Noel Stemn

Woo Juice is bringing health to the city one juice at a time. We plan on using freshly pressed juices and smoothies to the city at a reasonable price. All of our juices are named after a specific place in the city of Worcester.

3Kings BBQ and Food Services: Melvin Jones

My idea is to be the best authentic smoked BBQ provider by utilizing my smokers with charcoal and natural wood. My revenue pattern would consist of: authentic BBQ available all the time. Beef, chicken, and pork available via food truck, cottage/commercial kitchen, pickup, catering, eventually becoming a smoked meat provider. We believe that the authentic BBQ reputation is weak in the northeast. We also believe that BBQ always brings out happiness in people. No one complains unless the food isn’t good. We want to be known for a specific  flavor in the northeast just the reputation of Kansas City.

SweetLi Baked: Alicia Albernaz
I am a fully licensed residential kitchen baker focusing on custom decorated sugar cookies and cakes. I am a classically trained pastry chef and have been working in the industry for the last 15 years. I officially launched SweetLi Baked In October of 2021.  Since then, in addition to customer orders I have been a part of multiple pop-ups and events in Auburn & Worcester and created a slowly growing, steady following. My goal is to continue expanding and eventually take this full-time, potentially long term  transitioning to a brick & mortar location. I am also interested in branching into wholesale and custom supplies.

Aesthetics by Cie: Nancy C. Boucher
I currently offer spa services in my studio. I’d like to expand my business by offering more services, including reiki energy work (after being certified), as  well as hosting workshops for clients and master classes for other professionals. I’d like to use my expertise and years of experience to share knowledge and help others elevate their skills and businesses. I’d also like to increase my clients’ wellness and help them achieve a healthier lifestyle by offering educational experiences.

Bloom By JLouise: Jammie Glenn
Bloom Bloom and Grow Creative is a brand and a physical space bringing families together through coffee, creativity, classes and community. We will offer events and opportunities to spark creativity and joy while caring for each member of your family.  You will walk through the door into an inspired, welcoming space where you will feel comfort, belonging, and connection. 

Bloom and Grow Creative will offer a variety of classes for kids as well as workshops, support groups and community events for parents. We would also have a coffee shop and retail space where we would sell both our own creative products as well as support local makers and artisans. Parents will have the opportunity to connect with other families either through a class experience or by spending time in the creative play area or the cafe. 

Parenting is so challenging and it can be hard in today’s world, so our goal is to bring families together through creative experiences, while also creating a strong community of support.

Queer the Scene, LLC: David Conner & Al Green

Queer the Scene, LLC. is a company comprised of four Queer individuals who are dedicated to uplifting and unapologetically celebrating Queerness (happy to elaborate on what the means if selected) in an area that has had ups and downs, wins and losses, within it’s lgbtq+ community. We are at a pivotal moment in terms of the community building that is happening and our company is providing spaces where all letters of the Queer alphabet are being celebrated.