News Summary
Domi Station in Tallahassee has launched an improved Summer Incubation Program to better support aspiring entrepreneurs. The condensed three-month program provides access to resources, mentorship, and valuable industry insights. The aim is to assist participants in navigating their business journeys effectively while encouraging applications from all sectors by the July 11 deadline. Additionally, the program aligns with community growth, as seen in local success stories like Sweetfirmations, a bakery making significant strides in the area.
Tallahassee – Domi Station has revamped its Summer Incubation Program to support aspiring entrepreneurs with a condensed three-month timeline, significantly shortened from the original six months. The new program aims to provide emerging business owners with important resources alongside weekly classes facilitated by industry experts. The application deadline for interested participants is set for July 11th, 2023.
Entrepreneurs and startups from all industries are encouraged to apply through Domi Station’s website. Participants will benefit from access to a robust network of mentors who can provide valuable insights and advice tailored to individual business challenges. In addition to the mentorship network, the program offers a focused curriculum, open office hours for support, coworking spaces, and training on emerging technologies.
The updated incubation program is designed to deliver personalized mentorship, guided workshops, and constructive feedback on business strategies to help participants navigate their entrepreneurial journeys effectively. The executive director of Domi Station highlights that the revamped program is particularly aimed at improving support for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, enhancing connections within the community.
One notable success story within the community is Sweetfirmations, a family-owned bakery in Tallahassee, which recently celebrated its first anniversary. This milestone is significant for the local food industry, as Sweetfirmations is recognized for its quality desserts and strong community ties, inspired by the owner’s grandmother’s baking tradition.
Sweetfirmations benefitted from a startup grant totaling $5,259.80, provided by The Greater Frenchtown Southside Business Facility Improvement Program. The bakery’s owners, Ladell and Kimberly Bryant, shared that the past year posed challenges as they learned necessary adjustments to upscale and remodel their space to meet business needs effectively.
Sweetfirmations focuses not only on selling delectable desserts, including popular items like red velvet cakes, lemon blueberry cakes, banana puddings, cookies, brownies, and a unique rainbow cake, but also on fulfilling a mission of community joy and happiness. Furthermore, they have plans to convert their kitchen into a classroom aimed at teaching baking skills, particularly targeting troubled youth.
The Bryants have also established a nonprofit initiative named Angel Twenty-Two, which is inspired by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, aiming to provide cakes for children in need. This community outreach highlights Sweetfirmations’ commitment not only to business but also to social responsibility.
Tallahassee stands out as a thriving environment for Black-owned businesses, with recent data indicating that 7% of local businesses are Black-owned, placing the city among the Top 15 U.S. cities for its percentage of such enterprises. A LendingTree survey revealed that Tallahassee possesses double the national average of Black-owned businesses, with 549 Black-owned businesses operating among a total of 7,828 businesses in the city. This growth aligns with local demographic developments and presents a favorable outlook for entrepreneurship in the community.
Matt Schulz from LendingTree has pointed to the significant contribution of Florida A&M University as a catalyst for this positive economic outcome, fostering an ecosystem that encourages business growth. Available resources within the community, such as the FAMU Small Business Development Center and Domi Station, further support the growth of Black-owned businesses in Tallahassee. Economic developers in the area note the need for continued support and promotion of Black entrepreneurship to sustain this promising trend.
As Domi Station’s Summer Incubation Program gears up for its new format and Sweetfirmations marks its journey towards success, the entrepreneurial spirit in Tallahassee shines brightly, marking a collaborative effort towards innovation, community engagement, and economic growth.
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Additional Resources
- Tallahassee.com: First Year Recap with Sweetfirmations
- AfroTech: Black-Owned Businesses in Tallahassee Surpassing National Average
- WTXL: Holiday Boost for Small Businesses
- Black Enterprise: Black-Owned Businesses in Tallahassee
- Tallahassee.com: Ensuring Tallahassee’s Legacy of Black Economic Empowerment
- Wikipedia: Entrepreneurship
- Google Search: Small Business Support
- Google Scholar: Black-Owned Businesses
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
- Google News: Tallahassee Businesses
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
