Please join us to celebrate cohorts, 27, 28, and 29 of the Village Launch Business Entrepreneur Academy!
The event will begin with a vendor fair featuring our graduates, followed by a keynote speaker and graduate speeches. We can’t wait to see you all!
Graduate - Ma’Ta Crawford - Grow to Eat Gardening
Join us for our Craft and Harvest Market on November 2nd from 10am-2pm! We will have pumpkin painting for the kids, and as always food trucks, unique vendors, and great music! See you there!
1225 Pendleton St
Greenville, SC 29611
Join us for a day of fun at West GVL Fest!
Shop local vendors, enjoy food trucks, live music, and take part in our scavenger hunt! Plus, don’t miss early trick-or-treating!
October 5th | 10 AM - 2 PM
West GVL Plaza | 1225 Pendleton St., Greenville, SC
Village Launch presents CO.STARTERS Bootcamp a two-day intensive to launch your big idea.
Entrepreneurship is an exciting journey, but the path forward isn’t always clear. During this four-part bootcamp, you’ll collaboratively work with peers to strategize, problem solve, and apply business basics to your idea or venture. Our goal is to challenge you, stretch your thinking, and give you concrete tools to bring your business to life. This bootcamp is not about listening; it’s about doing.
Schedule:
Day 1 - Tuesday, August 20th - 6 pm- 9 pm (Dinner Provided)
Part 1: Discover - Understand your business model and how to refine it.
Day 2 - Thursday, August 22nd - 6 pm- 9 pm (Snacks Provided)
Part 2: Promote - Learn how to market your business.
Day 3- Tuesday, August 27th - 6 pm- 9 pm (Dinner Provided)
Part 3: Build - Dive into the basic building blocks needed for your financial modeling.
Day 4- Thursday, August 29th - 6 pm- 9 pm (Snacks Provided)
Part 4: Launch - Build momentum by goal setting.
Breaks will be included in each session. We will provide light dinner and snacks for each participant, as stated.
Cost: $100 (Covers both days of training. You must be able to attend both sessions.
Join us for an informative and practical Financial Tools & Funding Workshop with Jeanette Brewster! Designed to empower entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools needed to secure funding and effectively manage financial resources.
Introduction to Financial Tools: Gain insights into essential financial tools and software that can streamline your financial management processes.
Financial Planning and Budgeting: Learn how to create comprehensive financial plans and budgets to ensure the financial health of your business.
Financial Reporting and Analysis: Learn how to interpret financial statements and use financial analysis to make informed business decisions.
Understanding Funding Options: Explore the application process for the Village Launch Catalytic Fund
The Village Launch Market is a monthly market for minority and women-owned entrepreneurs to sell their products to the West Greenville neighborhood. MORE INFO!
Join us for an engaging and comprehensive Content Marketing Workshop designed to elevate your digital marketing strategies and boost your brand's online presence! This workshop is tailored for business owners who aim to master the art of creating, distributing, and promoting valuable content that attracts and retains a clearly defined audience!
Understanding Content Marketing: Learn the fundamentals of content marketing and why it is essential for modern businesses.
Content Strategy Development: Discover how to create a robust content strategy aligned with your business goals and audience needs.
Content Creation Techniques: Gain practical tips and tools for crafting compelling and high-quality content across various formats, including blog posts, videos, infographics, and social media.
Content Distribution and Promotion: Learn effective methods for distributing and promoting your content to reach a wider audience and maximize engagement.
Measuring Success: Understand the key metrics and tools for tracking the performance of your content marketing efforts and making data-driven decisions.
Village Launch presents CO.STARTERS Bootcamp a three-day intensive to launch your big idea.
Entrepreneurship is an exciting journey, but the path forward isn’t always clear. During this four-part bootcamp, you’ll collaboratively work with peers to strategize, problem solve, and apply business basics to your idea or venture. Our goal is to challenge you, stretch your thinking, and give you concrete tools to bring your business to life. This bootcamp is not about listening; it’s about doing.
Schedule:
Day 1 - Tuesday July 23rd - 6pm - 9pm (Dinner Provided)
Part 1: Discover - Understand your business model and how to refine it.
Day 2 - Thursday July 25th - 6pm - 9pm (Dinner Provided)
Part 2: Promote - Learn how to market your business.
Day 3 - Saturday July 27th - 9am - 3pm (Breakfast and Lunch Provided)
Part 3: Build - Dive into the basic building blocks needed for your financial modeling.
Part 4: Launch - Build momentum by goal setting.
There will be an hour break for lunch on Saturday. We will provide light breakfast pastries & coffee as well as lunch for each participant.
Cost: $100 (Covers both days of training. You must be able to attend both sessions.
In this engaging and informative workshop, Sheryl Guarniero of #MakeGVLGreener will explore the importance of sustainable packaging solutions for small business owners. This workshop aims to share practical strategies for implementing eco-friendly practices and equip participants with the knowledge and tools needed to reduce their environmental footprint, meet consumer demand for greener products, and enhance their brand’s reputation.
Key Topics:
The environmental impact of packaging waste.
Innovative sustainable packaging trends and technologies.
Cost-effective solutions for small businesses.
Case studies of successful sustainable packaging implementations.
Interactive Q&A session and group discussions.
The Village Launch Market is a monthly market for minority and women-owned entrepreneurs to sell their products to the West Greenville neighborhood. MORE INFO!
Village Launch presents CO.STARTERS Bootcamp a three-day intensive to launch your big idea.
Entrepreneurship is an exciting journey, but the path forward isn’t always clear. During this four-part bootcamp, you’ll collaboratively work with peers to strategize, problem solve, and apply business basics to your idea or venture. Our goal is to challenge you, stretch your thinking, and give you concrete tools to bring your business to life. This bootcamp is not about listening; it’s about doing.
Schedule:
Day 1 - Tuesday June 25th - 6pm - 9pm (Dinner Provided)
Part 1: Discover - Understand your business model and how to refine it.
Day 2 - Thursday June 27th - 6pm - 9pm (Dinner Provided)
Part 2: Promote - Learn how to market your business.
Day 3 - Saturday June 29th - 9am - 3pm (Breakfast and Lunch Provided)
Part 3: Build - Dive into the basic building blocks needed for your financial modeling.
Part 4: Launch - Build momentum by goal setting.
There will be an hour break for lunch on Saturday. We will provide light breakfast pastries & coffee as well as lunch for each participant.
Cost: $100 (Covers both days of training. You must be able to attend both sessions.
Village Launch in Collaboration with St. Matthew UMC is hosting our 3rd annual Alumni Pitch Competition, FUEL.
Village Launch Alumni have a chance to win $15,000 in Grant funds for their business. 5 Entrepreneurs will have an opportunity to walk away with start-up capital for their business!
We are inviting the community, our partners, and friends out to celebrate these amazing entrepreneurs as they pitch to win funds to help grow their business.
Join us June 13, 2024 at the Greenville ONE Center. Doors open at 5:30pm!
Special thanks to our Community Sponsors: St. Matthew United Methodist Church, SC Community Loan Fund , and CommunityWorks!
Exciting Event Alert!
Join us on June 6th at 5:30 PM in Greer for an empowering discussion on business certification for Black, women, and minority-owned businesses! Our Program Director will be speaking about the incredible benefits of getting certified and how it can help your business thrive.
Hear from experts
Get valuable tips and advice
Network with certified business owners
Don't miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and grow. See you there!
Formerly known as Third Thursday Market, the newly named Village Launch Market was launched in 2021 to support minority and women-owned businesses in Greenville, SC.
The Village Launch Market will be on the 1st Saturday every month from 10am - 2pm at the West Greenville Plaza, located at the corner of Pendleton Street and Burdette Street.
Each month, the market will feature 20+ businesses that have participated in Village Launch's entrepreneurial training programs. This month, to celebrate the new school year, we will be hosting a back-to-school drive.
Join us on the first Saturday of each month to support minority and women-owned businesses and experience the vibrant community of West Greenville.
🎓 Business Entrepreneur Academy Graduation: Celebrating 10 Years of Success!
Join us for an extraordinary occasion as we celebrate 10 years of empowering small businesses in our community. Our Business Entrepreneur Academy has been a steadfast source of support, helping entrepreneurs gain clarity, confidence, and community as they navigate the journey of launching and expanding their ventures.
Keynote Speaker: Mrs. Carla Harris
Mrs. Harris, a renowned international public speaker and Senior Client Advisor at Morgan Stanley, will share her invaluable insights from her book, “Expect To Win!”. Get ready for “Carla’s Pearls” – lessons gleaned from her remarkable life and illustrious Wall Street career.
Meet the Future: 24 New Growing and Upcoming Businesses
The graduating entrepreneurs represent a range of industries, from transportation and health to food & beverage, fashion, beauty, and more. They include both established businesses and startups, showcasing a diverse mix of innovative concepts and passion. These visionary entrepreneurs are shaping the future of Greenville and beyond, with 24 emerging businesses driving forward-thinking ideas and creativity.
Pitch Presentations & Graduation Certificates
Our amazing entrepreneurs will pitch their businesses, showcasing their vision and dedication. Witness their journey as they receive well-deserved graduation certificates.
Open to All: Friends, Family, and Community Partners
Whether you’re an old friend or a new acquaintance, join us in celebrating our graduates. Learn how they’re making a difference and investing in our community.
Date: Thursday, May 9, 2024
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Long Branch Baptist Church
28 Bolt Street
Greenville, SC 29605
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a thriving entrepreneurial community. Let’s celebrate dreams turned into reality! 🌟🎉
Note: This event is open to the public.
Join Village Lanch for an inspiring luncheon with the one and only Carla Harris! Get ready to be motivated, empowered, and equipped with the tools you need to lead to win. This in-person event will be held at the Long Branch Baptist Church, so mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable experience. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from a true leader and take your success to the next level!
Inspiration: Carla Harris, a renowned international public speaker, will share her insights and wisdom.
Business Acumen: Gain leadership and business wisdom from Carla as we celebrate our 10th anniversary of collectively supporting 263 under-resourced entrepreneurs in our community.
Carla’s Pearls: Carla engages audiences with her popular “Carla’s Pearls,” where she shares hard-earned and hard-learned lessons from her Wall Street career.
Carla is a renowned international public speaker and is also a Senior Client Advisor at Morgan Stanley. She engages audiences with her popular “Carla’s Pearls” where she shares with both leaders and emerging leaders how to maximize their career success across all industries using the “hard-earned and hard-learned” lessons that she acquired during her Wall Street Career.
We are excited to invite you to a community-engaged research presentation and photo exhibit titled “Photovoice,” hosted by Furman University’s MAAES program in collaboration with Village Launch, a non-profit entrepreneur support organization based in West Greenville.
Event Details:
Date: Wednesday, April 17th, 2024
Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location: Furman University’s Herring Building (Next to Timmons Arena)
About the Event: Furman’s MAAES graduate student researchers have designed a captivating Photovoice project alongside Village Launch co-researchers. Through powerful visual narratives captured in photographs, we aim to share the entrepreneurial experiences of Village Launch participants. During the event, we will discuss our research findings and explore ways to enhance outcomes for the Village Launch community.
Light Refreshments will be served!
Please consider joining us for this insightful and engaging event. Your presence and insights are invaluable as we collectively work towards empowering our community.!
Founders Forum is an educational series for entrepreneurs, taught by entrepreneurs and subject matter experts in key areas of focus for all startups. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to hear about tips and tricks to make your business profitable faster.
Founders Forum is an educational series from NEXT designed for entrepreneurs BY entrepreneurs, created to connect and educate founders in core disciplines relevant to all startups and activate the ecosystem at large.
Learn how you can improve your efforts as a founder, walk away with outcomes you can apply directly to your business, and strengthen your relationships with peers and content experts.
Light refreshments will be provided with networking opportunities.
Profit First – Getting to profitability with a product/service quickly
Discover the keys to getting to profitability fast and gain insights from an experienced CFO, learning practical strategies. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to strengthen your business foundation!
Meet Shondra
After working as a technology investment banker at one of the fastest-growing investment banking firms in the world, Shondra Washington founded TBC-Capital, an advisory and consulting firm offering on-demand CFO, business development, and strategy services for VC-backed companies and small businesses. Through TBC-Capital, Shondra has helped her clients secure over $30M in startup capital. Her work has been featured in Reuters and Inc. Magazine.
Shondra is also the CEO and cofounder of Black@, one of the first all-Black Web3 communities. Black@ brings together creators, artists, investors, and engineers working together to increase ownership of Black culture in the next generation of the Internet.
Learn more about Shondra on LinkedIn
Follow her on IG: @shondradanielle
Join our Business Entrepreneurship Academy and turn your business dreams into reality! Applications are now OPEN for our upcoming cohorts starting in March.
👉 Existing Businesses Cohort (Mondays, 6 pm - 9 pm):
Dive deep into your business's foundation! Over 10 weeks, every Monday night, explore what's holding you back and chart a course for where you want to go. Connect with program mentors, facilitators, and guest speakers for a transformative experience.
👉 New Businesses Cohort (Thursdays, 6 pm - 9 pm):
Starting from the ground up? Thursdays are your nights! Our facilitator-led classes, spanning 10 weeks, focus on setting a solid foundation for your business idea. Collaborate with mentors in the second half for personalized support.
🌐 Curriculum Highlights:
Knowing Your Customer
Finding the Right Solution
Legal Structures & Systems
Financial education (personal & business credit)
Getting your message right
Discovering the Bottom Line
And much more! Learn more here.
💼 Why Join?
Facilitator-led in person classes
Engaging guest speakers
Mentorship opportunities
Community Support & Accountability
Ongoing Alumni support
💸 Cost: $250
📅 Save the Date:
Existing Businesses Cohort: Every Monday, 6 pm - 9 pm, beginning March 4th
New Businesses Cohort: Every Thursday, 6 pm - 9 pm, beginning March 7th
📍 Location:
MVM Hub
1186 Pendleton Street
Greenville, SC 29611
🚀 Are you ready to kickstart or elevate your business journey? Join us and let's build your success story together! 🌟
Join us for a party along the Reedy River at the Peace Center to support local female and minority entrepreneurs!
Prepare to be delighted with mixologist Lauren Fisher's smoky signature cocktail and a five-course dinner prepared by Chef De Cuisine Diego Campos from CAMP. There will be live musical entertainment, spoken word poetry recitations from Tinasha LaRaye, and a live auction.
Enjoy the talent of Village Launch entrepreneurs at work that includes an after-party dessert from Yolanda Young and a locally-curated gift from Katrina McDaniel!
Join us for an informative and engaging evening at Mill Village Ministries' Volunteer Interest Night! If you haven't volunteered with us before, this is the perfect opportunity to discover the various ways you can get involved and make a positive impact in our community.
Meet our dedicated program directors, learn about our initiatives, and find the perfect role for your skills and interests. Even if you've volunteered with us in the past, come out to explore new opportunities and reconnect with our community. cv
Don't miss this chance to make a difference – bring a friend along and join us for an inspiring night of connection and purpose!
We have a group of amazing entrepreneurs who will be pitching each of their businesses and receiving their graduation certificates. This celebration will conclude our Business Entrepreneur Academy’s 10-week class which is a course that includes variety of topics essential to shaping how our participants formulate their business plan and make their dreams a reality!
We invite all of our friends (old and new), family members, and community partners to learn from our newest class of dreamers and what they are doing to grow and invest in Greenville County. We are excited to introduce you all to our graduates, who are eager to put their business and/or non-profit plans into action while serving our community.
The Village Launch Market was launched in 2021 to support minority and women-owned businesses in Greenville, SC.
The Village Launch Market will be on Saturday, December 2nd, from 12-4 pm at the West Greenville Plaza, located at the corner of Pendleton Street and Burdette Street. Each month, the market will feature 20+ businesses that have participated in Village Launch's entrepreneurial training programs. This month, we will have DJ Marlo Supreme, G-Rod & One Eyed Donkey Food Trucks, and Santa!
Join us on the first Saturday of each month to support minority and women-owned businesses and experience the vibrant community of West Greenville.
Meet us at the Mill Village Ministries offices from 6:00-7:00pm on Wednesday, October 11th. We'll be debuting our new meeting and education space and are excited to share the progress on our home at 1186 Pendleton St. You will hear about each of our social enterprises and how you can get involved volunteering right away.
Light refreshments will be provided.
We have a group of amazing entrepreneurs who will be pitching each of their businesses and receiving their graduation certificates. This celebration will conclude our Business Entrepreneur Academy’s 10-week class which is a course that includes variety of topics essential to shaping how our participants formulate their business plan and make their dreams a reality!
We invite all of our friends (old and new), family members, and community partners to learn from our newest class of dreamers and what they are doing to grow and invest in Greenville County. We are excited to introduce you all to our graduates, who are eager to put their business and/or non-profit plans into action while serving our community.
Join us at Artisan Traders to catch up with friends, make new connections, and get insights to help you expand your business. In addition to networking opportunities, we'll have a panel of four local business women to help you gain insights on money, mindset, mentorship, and more!
If you have considered becoming a mentor but are unsure about what the next steps would look like, this is a great opportunity for you. We recognize your specialties and talents are needed to cultivate and support entrepreneurs in the West End & Nicholtown business communities of Greenville.
Join us August 29 to learn more about how you can use your background and unique insights to inspire up-and-coming entrepreneurs.
Formerly known as Third Thursday Market, the newly named Village Launch Market was launched in 2021 to support minority and women-owned businesses in Greenville, SC.
The Village Launch Market will be on Saturday, August 5th, from 12-4 pm at the West Greenville Plaza, located at the corner of Pendleton Street and Burdette Street. Each month, the market will feature 20+ businesses that have participated in Village Launch's entrepreneurial training programs. This month, to celebrate the new school year, we will be hosting a back-to-school drive.
Join us on the first Saturday of each month to support minority and women-owned businesses and experience the vibrant community of West Greenville.
Formerly known as Third Thursday Market, the newly named Village Launch Market was launched in 2021 to support minority and women-owned businesses in Greenville, SC.
The Village Launch Market will be on Saturday, May 6th, from 12-4 pm at the West Greenville Plaza, located at the corner of Pendleton Street and Burdette Street. Each month, the market will feature 20+ businesses that have participated in Village Launch's entrepreneurial training programs.
Join us on the first Saturday of each month to support minority and women-owned businesses and experience the vibrant community of West Greenville.
Village Launch in Collaboration with St. Matthew UMC is hosting our 2nd annual Alumni Pitch Competition, FUEL.
Village Launch Alumni have a chance to win $20,000 in Grant funds for their business. 5 Entrepreneurs will have an opportunity to walk away with start-up capital for their business!
1st place: $10,000
2nd place: $5,000
3rd place: $2,500
4th place: $1,500
5th place: $1,000
We are inviting the community, our partners, and friends out to celebrate these amazing entrepreneurs as they pitch to win funds to help grow their business.
Join us June 1, 2023 at the Greenville ONE Center. Doors open at 5:30pm!
Rules for entry:
Must be a Village Launch Business Entrepreneur Academy Graduate or Nasha Lending graduate
Must attend our Pitch Workshop to enter into the Live Pitch Contest
Must be able to attend the Live Pitch Event on Thursday, June 1st at 5:30 pm
Special thanks to our Community Sponsors: St. Matthew United Methodist Church, SC Community Loan Fund , and CommunityWorks!
We have a group of amazing entrepreneurs who will be pitching each of their businesses and receiving their graduation certificates. This celebration will conclude our Business Entrepreneur Academy’s 10-week class which is a course that includes variety of topics essential to shaping how our participants formulate their business plan and make their dreams a reality!
We invite all of our friends (old and new), family members, and community partners to learn from our newest class of dreamers and what they are doing to grow and invest in Greenville County. We are excited to introduce you all to our graduates, who are eager to put their business plans into action while serving our community.
Formerly known as Third Thursday Market, the newly named Village Launch Market was launched in 2021 to support minority and women-owned businesses in Greenville, SC.
The Village Launch Market will be on Saturday, May 6th, from 12-4 pm at the West Greenville Plaza, located at the corner of Pendleton Street and Burdette Street. Each month, the market will feature 20+ businesses that have participated in Village Launch's entrepreneurial training programs.
Join us on the first Saturday of each month to support minority and women-owned businesses and experience the vibrant community of West Greenville.
