- April 30, 2024
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Twelve entrepreneurs graduated from the FastTrack Spring 2024 class on March 21. Photo courtesy of Skip Crowell
Eva Connors McMullin, Nancy Cortez and Debbie Cotton. Photo courtesy of Skip Crowell
Ormond Beach Economic Development Director Brian Rademacher. Photo courtesy of Skip Crowell
Teri Althouse, Ormond Beach Economic Development Director Brian Rademacher and Thays França. Photo courtesy of Skip Crowell
Ormond Beach Economic Development Director Brian Rademacher, Jennie Haywood, and Jeff Carlin, chair of the SCORE Flagler/Volusia Chapter. Photo courtesy of Skip Crowell
Ormond Beach Economic Development Director Brian Rademacher, Stephanie Gonter, and Jeff Carlin, chair of the SCORE Flagler/Volusia Chapter. Photo courtesy of Skip Crowell
Ormond Beach Economic Development Director Brian Rademacher, Pamela Burns, and Jeff Carlin, chair of the SCORE Flagler/Volusia Chapter. Photo courtesy of Skip Crowell
Ormond Beach Economic Development Director Brian Rademacher, Kelsey Pilati-Willis, and Jeff Carlin, chair of the SCORE Flagler/Volusia Chapter. Photo courtesy of Skip Crowell
Ormond Beach Economic Development Director Brian Rademacher, Angela Joy Williams, and Jeff Carlin, chair of the SCORE Flagler/Volusia Chapter. Photo courtesy of Skip Crowell
Ormond Beach Economic Development Director Brian Rademacher, Diego Garcia, and Jeff Carlin, chair of the SCORE Flagler/Volusia Chapter. Photo courtesy of Skip Crowell
Twelve local entrepreneurs were celebrated on March 21 for graduating from a 10-week program on how to start up, or grow, their businesses.
The Kauffman FastTrac program, offered in partnership with the Ormond Beach Economic Development department, launched in the city in 2021 as a result of an entrepreneurial support initiative by the National League of Cities. Since its start, three classes have completed the program, but due to the pandemic, they were held in a virtual format.
The StartUp & Grow FastTrac Spring 2024 class was the first to go through the program in person. City Economic Development Director Brian Rademacher said this boosted both collaboration and networking throughout the 10-week program.
"I think just watching them support each other was also gratifying, to see that energy and to see this group click," Rademacher said. "... It makes me happy to see these businesses not only succeed, but then now have each other in their network for support, to support each other and to help each other grow."
Throughout the program, Rademacher said, the participants worked on their business plan — concept, pitch, model, target market, marketing and branding. They also learned about how to lead their company or organization, should they decide to expand, and heard from guest speakers. In addition, the city partnered with the SCORE Flagler/Volusia Chapter, to bring on business mentors to facilitate the course alongside Rademacher. The facilitators were Jeff Carlin, chair of the SCORE Flagler/Volusia Chapter, along with Andrew Krupp and Sheila Slick.
The location of the graduation celebration was also noteworthy, as it was held at Art Spotlight. Rademacher said the art gallery's owners, Teri Althouse and Thays França, completed the program in the fall of 2021.
"It was as great example of what is possible and then also, it's a great venue in our downtown to celebrate business success," Rademacher said. "I think the whole city of Ormond Beach, but in particular the Ormond historic area has good vibes for supporting entrepreneurship and small business growth."
Most of the entrepreneurs and small business owners who go through the program are in service-related industries. One of the graduates was Stephanie Gonter, who runs Novel Tea Book Shop out of The Studio by Artist Angel Lowden at 150 Tomoka Ave. Another of the graduates, Rademacher said, was Jennie Haywood, who owns Memorable Expressions 360 Photo Booth.
"Their journey is not over, but they have a strong foundation now to continue with their business plan, if they haven't finished it up, and they are very much aware of partners that are in the area to help them," Rademacher said.
To learn more about the program, visit www.ormondbeach.org/985/Kauffman-FastTrac.
