EforAll Cape Cod celebrated 15 Cape Cod small business owners who completed 13 weeks of intensive business training on Jan. 11, at the Family Table Collaborative in South Yarmouth.
The graduation celebration for the Fall 2022 Accelerator Cohort featured displays from graduating businesses, which included:
- Stacy Duffaney, Sola Sister Co.
- Sue Teplansky, Sue Unleashed
- Becky Swift, Swift Designs of Cape Cod
- Molly MacGregor, Abundant Houseplants
- Donna Devine, Magic Mirror
- Michelle McCoy, Coastal Brahmin
- Debra Rogers, Cape Cod Booty
- Isle Keijser, Artwork by Isle
- Christian Kline, Hot Yoga Cape Cod
- Doug Kennedy, Ergonomic Solutions of New England
- Crickett Warner, The Knot Keeper
- Jamie Diehl, Birth Vibe LLC
- Jenn Christian, Cape Cod Car Seat Momma
- Laura Lee Imhoff, Roots & Spoon
Cash prizes were awarded to three of the entrepreneurs: Jamie Diehl of Birth Vibe, $2,740; Laura Lee Imhoff of Roots & Spoon, $2,800 and Donna Devine, Magic Mirror, $4,381.
Birth Vibe increases doula support and positive birth experiences across Cape Cod. Birth doulas are trained professionals that help families through the birthing journey by providing physical, emotional, and informational support to their clients. Birth Vibe serves individuals of all backgrounds and demographics, in the family’s home or at the hospitals of their choice.
“This is a huge win for the Birth Vibe team! This money allows us to provide our clients with essential prenatal and postpartum support items to aid each family on their journey,” said Diehl. “Additionally, our goal is to increase awareness for postpartum and maternal mood disorders. With our new business platform and digital classroom, we are able to provide empowerment and educational support both virtually and locally.”
Roots & Spoon makes “fresh and flavorful” small-batch jams, pickles and relishes, handcrafted from relishes handcrafted from local and seasonal produce. The name of the source-farm is also on the label.
“I have a great appreciation on where our food comes from and it is my goal to have a small farm where I not only source my produce for canned goods, but also provide a community space for classes and workshops,” said Imhoff.
Magic Mirror is a unique photo booth, a massive, five-foot mirror that also acts as a touch screen. Owner Donna Devine, who launched the business on Martha’s Vineyard, is planning to expand Magic Mirror on Cape Cod.
“EforAll gave me the confidence, support and push to launch my business sooner than later,” said Devine. “Winning the cash award has given me a chance to invest in additional equipment, allowing my business to grow.”
Entrepreneurship for All Cape Cod launches 30 local businesses each year. In 2022, EforAll Cape Cod awarded more than $40,000 to more than 40 local entrepreneurs through its pitch contests and “Business 101” bootcamp accelerator program. The free accelerator program is held twice a year and up to 15 entrepreneurial ventures are accepted into each accelerator cohort. No prior business experience is required to apply and be accepted to the program.
Entrepreneurship for All is a nonprofit organization that partners with communities nationwide to help under-represented individuals successfully start and grow a business through intensive business training, mentorship and an extended professional support network. To date, EforAll alumni have launched over 1,100 businesses. In 2021 alone, its businesses provided 1,734 local jobs and generated over $54 million in revenue, despite the pandemic.
To learn more about EforAll, visit eforall.org
