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2010 Micro Entrepreneur Nominee Bios |
Listed alphabetically by last name
Woodrow TC Amos - Total Services Unlimited
Woodrow Amos has a wealth of experience and expertise, which was gained over 30 years of trial and error as a small business owner. Through proper mentoring relationships and applying sound business principles, Mr. Amos has reversed detrimental business decisions to become a successful, disciplined entrepreneur.
Total Services Unlimited, LLC was created in 2008 to address the construction, remodeling, and renovation needs of individuals and companies by providing quality craftsmanship, timely and efficient project completion, and exemplary design techniques. Total Services Unlimited, LLC specializes in creative design, countertops, cabinets, and ceramic tile installations. The company’s vision includes building solid business relationships and working to obtain EDGE certification through the State of Ohio.
Currently Total Services Unlimited is involved in activities designed by the Greater Linden Development Corporation to help teens, young adults, and economically-disadvantaged individuals overcome the challenges they face in today’s slow economy.
Sonja Armistead - U Need Him, Inc.
No information available.
Tracee’ L. Black-Fall - Tova’s N.E.S.T Inc.
In 1997 a girl named Tova Black was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and given a dim prognosis. Her mother, Traceé Black-Fall blamed herself. She became consumed in learning about mental illness and co-occurring disorders. She began to apply what she learned to her African American family after recognizing distinct cultural differences.
In 2000, Mrs. Black-Fall suffered a brain aneurysm, which left her with many deficits. Through her own challenges to recovery she was given a powerful insight into Tova’s struggles. Mrs. Black-Fall realized that their journeys were also about growth of the spirit, a beautiful recovery and work that needed to be done.
In 2003 Mrs. Black-Fall and Tova traveled to Washington, D.C. to speak to an audience at the African American Mental Health and Substance Abuse Summit where they introduced for the first time the concept and vision of Tova’s N.E.S.T. The works of the company and Mrs. Black-Fall have been recognized and awarded nationally. Tova’s N.E.S.T Inc. utilizes current research and evidenced-based psycho education in assisting communities to embrace, assist, and bring about a new awareness regarding mental health issues, co-occurring disorders, and suicide prevention. These credible works have been in existence since 2004 and have built an excellent rapport of trust in the community.
The vision is to educate and raise the awareness of the African American faith-based community, populations at risk, and other systems regarding mental health issues, co-occurring disorders, and suicide prevention while eliminating stigma and promoting recovery and resiliency.
Samantha Carter - Little Gems Learning Place
It is the mission of Little Gems to provide our parents with the highest quality of childcare and to provide our children with the opportunity to blossom into full bloom by allowing new experiences. Children are not only products of their environment but the future!! They need room for exploration, positive role models and limited boundaries. Little Gems will contribute in building our children's high self-esteem!!
Little Gems is owned by Samantha A. Carter. The company was established in September 2003 and became certified with Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services in May of 2004. In January 2006 Samantha A. Carter earned her Child Development Associate from the National Credentialing Program. She is currently enrolled at Columbus State Community College to obtain her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Development.
Little Gems Learning Place opened the doors as a full time childcare center in September 2009. Currently there are three employees. The long term future goal of Little Gems is to move to their own stand alone building and to provide childcare for infant, toddler, and preschool and school age children. Little Gems would also like to participate in Step Up to Quality and Accreditation from N.A.E.Y.C (National Association of the Education for Young Children). By participating in these it demonstrates that we offer a higher quality of childcare.
Rob Coats - Connect Your Life
Robert T. Coats is founder of 80/20 Marketing and the visionary behind Connect Your Life, LLC. Author, philanthropist, and community activist, he teaches entrepreneurs, young professionals, and youth to maximize their abilities by creating and nurturing their connections. A former mortgage broker and network marketing phenomenon, he is this generations definitive expert on building, growing, and leveraging strong relationships.
Through his CYL foundation Rob’s vision is to turn 100,000 young African Americans into entrepreneurs by empowering them with his vision and challenging them to focus on creating jobs for other people instead of working for someone else. This year alone Rob has already been a featured speaker at over 20 centers and colleges delivering his message of increased personal branding and professionalism while continuing his mission to show that it is possible to be both young and successful, legally.
CYL has raised and contributed over $53,000 to various non-profit and charitable organizations. With plans to expand into other major markets in the next 3-5 years, Rob continues to move CYL in the direction of his goal to increase that number to over a million dollars in contributions.
Rob recently released his first book, Connect and Grow Rich, on his own Executive Suites Publishing Company. The book has dual purposes for the young entrepreneur, not only teaching how to grow wealthy mental, spiritual, and financial bank accounts, but is yet another step in showing that anyone can be whatever they want to be if they simply put their minds to it.
Wanda Curry-Shepard - Unique Services
Wanda D. Curry-Shepard began her business in March 2004 with a vision of becoming a premier organization assisting entrepreneurs in the areas of consulting, financial, and insurance services.
She holds the professional designation of certified fraud examiner and certified bookkeeper. She has a Bachelors of Science degree in Accounting from Franklin University as well as over 15 years of experience in business management and accounting. She is licensed insurance agent in all lines of insurance for 9 years who strives to help her clients lay a solid foundation for their business and personal goals. She is also the owner of The Professional Bail Bond Group, Inc.
Al Edmondson - Edmondson Enterprises
Al Edmonson is the owner and proprietor of the Cut Above the Rest barber shop. After an honorable discharge from the United States Army, he graduated from barber college, and soon after returned to the community he grew up in to establish his business. He purchased a building on the near east side and has turned it into a multi-use facility housing his barber shop and a salon on the first floor, and a non-profit technology training center on the second floor.
Al is involved in the revitalization of the inner city area where his shop is located and is well aware of the challenges facing the area’s inner city youth. He has worked tirelessly to make a difference. He offers discount haircuts to youth, and as an active member of New Salem Missionary Baptist Church hosts men’s bible study group. He has also started a faith-based basketball camp which teaches positive values and basketball fundamentals. He is finalizing plans to establish a non-profit foundation focused on instilling positive, Christian values in today’s youth.
Al also donates time to African American men’s health issues by providing health screenings every 1st Saturday of the month. He is a model entrepreneur who also owns graphic arts and entertainment enterprises. He believes in re-circulating dollars within the community to help other small, minority owned businesses flourish. Recently he published a magazine to help bring more business to his community titled the “The Taste Of Mt.Vernon”.
Kendall D. Isaac Esq. - The Isaac Firm LLC
Kendall D. Isaac Esq., owner of the The Isaac Firm LLC, concentrates his practice on assisting individuals and small business owners with litigation and mediation, contract issues, unemployment and workers' compensation, and the handling employment law matters.
Mr. Isaac is also a speaker, trainer, and Adjunct Professor at Capital University Law School. He teaches law courses and continuing legal education (CLE) seminars on “how to starting and building your own law practice.” Additionally, he conducts seminars on how to deal with challenging workplace issues and employment laws.
The vision for the business is to be recognized as the go-to law firm for all employment law and small business related needs in Central Ohio. The firm continues to grow its clientele. To make room for the anticipated growth, the firm moved into larger office space in Downtown Columbus in mid-2009.
Kendall has received an award of excellence recognizing his commitment to diversity from Ohio State University College of Business, and has also been recognized for his tireless efforts in leading the National Association of African Americans in Human Resources. He currently serves as General Counsel for the Central Ohio chapter.
As President of the alumni chapter of Phi Beta Sigma, he developed a mentoring program to encourage the professional members to give back by being mentors for their collegiate counterparts. He also donates time, money and resources to the African American Male High School Leadership Program, a program dedicated to highlighting the achievements of youths and providing them with college scholarships.
Fanchon Kent - Miss Black Ohio
Fanchon Kent the CEO/President for the Miss Black Oho Pageant. Her overall responsibilities are to ensure the logistics of this non-profit organization. This organization is made up of 4 Board Members and 10 volunteers throughout central Ohio. Our motto is to “Empower Young Minds through Achievement and Success.
Currently she attends Franklin University in pursuit of a Masters Degree in Human Resource Management. She is a proud member of the Ray Miller Institute for Change Leaders and has been recognized by Mayor Michael B. Coleman, the State House of Representatives, and the City of Columbus for her work within the community.
Since the pageant’s inception in 1982, the Pageant has evolved and has undergone a metamorphosis of name changes. In 1992, the Pageant was incorporated with a non-profit status and will henceforth be known as MISS BLACK OHIO. In 2001, Ms. Kent, the former Miss Black Ohio 1997 title holder, became the new CEO/President.
Her objective is to mentor young ladies; in particular, those who are first generation college-bound students. Her dream is to inspire them to achieve academic excellence. It is our goal to assist them in developing and enhancing solid communication, organization and time management skills. We believe that this assistance will empower and inspire them to become confident, educated, and esteemed young women.
Meredith Liepelt - Rich Life Marketing
With creativity, energy and wit to spare, Meredith Liepelt, founder of Rich Life
Marketing is known as the Creative Client Attraction Strategist. Solo and micro-entrepreneurs work with Meredith to raise their celebrity profiles through authentic self-promotion which leads to more (and better) clients, more prestige and profit.
Her mission is to create “real” celebrities by helping women business owners to put themselves out there in a big and bold way so they can create their own sustainable and thriving businesses. To grow Rich Life Marketing, she is changing her model from working with clients one-on-one, to a group coaching model. Creating groups leverages her time, and allows participants to extend their networks, work with each other and be in a safe mastermind experience.
She is actively involved in the community through business and personal connections. She served on the board of eWomenNetwork as their Marketing Adviser for two years. In addition, she volunteers for the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO). She has lead two teams and served on the Board for Walk for Wishes through the Make a Wish Foundation. She also gave financial donations to a few arts-related organizations.
Charity Martin-Via - Urban Spirit Coffee Shop
Urban-Spirit Coffee Shop Ltd (www.Urban-Spirit.com) is an eclectic coffee shop and art gallery located at 893 E. Long St. in the Historic Alpha Building; the site of the first African-American owned hospital in Columbus, Ohio. It is the first business of its kind to navigate the waters of neighborhood revitalization.
Honors include: 1st OSU People's Choice Art Award, Eastmoor H.S. GBB Coaching Staff 2002-2007, Program of the Year 2006, Advisor of the Year 2007, Statewide Governor's Award for Excellence in Community Education 2007, & the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. Service Award 2008, Tom Joyner Morning Show “Hardest Working Entrepreneur”, Columbus Landmarks Design Award 2008, Who’s Who Black Columbus “Interesting Personalities 2008, Who’s Who Cambridge, Columbus Monthly Magazine “Single in the City”, Columbus Alive “People to Watch” 2009, & more!
Graduate of The Ohio State University (Political Science & African-American-African Studies).
Professional affiliations: Ohio Art League, Nommo Art Society, National Progressive Leadership Caucus, The Ohio State University Alumni Association, Martin W. Essex School for the Gifted, Olde Towne East Neighborhood Association, Long Street Business Association, Near East Area Commission (District II Commissioner), and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
She has also been recognized by the Ohio Senate, Columbus City Council, and BusinessFirst.
Sharon North - Make it Happen Foundation
Sharon North is the Founder of Make It Happen Foundation; she’s currently employed with the State of Ohio. She has received numerous certificates in Customer Service and Leadership skills, Accounting, Business Management and Public Relations. She is a long time and active member of Higher Ground AAA and other organizations. In 2008 she was appointed to serve a three year term on the Executive Board with the OCSEA Union 2503 BMV Chapter and in January 2010, she accepted the position to serve on the State Of Ohio Combined Charitable Campaign Steering Committee through the United Way.
Make It Happen Foundation has been registered with the State of Ohio since August 2007 as a faith based, non-profit organization. We have partnered with other organizations, churches and resources to provide services, such as family counseling, etc. The services that we provide are currently being offered through volunteer donations. We are working towards getting a 501(c) 3.
We make dreams come true for abuse and neglected children by restoring single parent homes. Our vision is to become an agency that provides a variety of services to educate, equip, and empower single parents that have Drug and Alcohol additions. We provide them with biblical, practical and basic life skills, with the hope of preventing silent child abuse worldwide. Currently we reach out to single parents of homeless and family shelters along with other entities in our community to provide a holistic family self-esteem, enrichment program.
Greg Schenk - The Schenk Company, Inc.
Greg has twenty four years experience in the business ranging from representing tenants and buyers in locating and negotiating office space renewals and relocations, medical space and investment projects and more. His expertise is in the area of site selection and “win win” negotiation strategies.
He has achieved the highly sought after SIOR(Society of Office & Industrial Realtors)designation as one of the leading brokers in the country and has taken the entire CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Management) curriculum pertaining to investment analysis and acquisition.
Greg speaks, teaches and trains nationally both to professionals like attorneys, accountants and bankers on how to prosper in this commercial real estate market as well as real estate brokers wanting to become experts in various areas of commercial real estate.
He is on the Real Estate Advisory Council at The Ohio State University, has authored numerous articles on these subjects, including his recent book
“Tenant Rep from A to Z.” He has won many awards including the 2006 Micro Entrepreneur of the year award for Real Estate. He is one of the featured speakers for the National Association of Realtors Realtor Commercial Alliance Signature Series.
Most importantly Greg is an integral member of the Central Ohio Community assisting various charities for people in pain and in need!
He has established a memorial fund at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and is part of their annual television telethon, assists March of Dimes, Fore Hope, First Team Basketball Camps and many others.
Dee Tolber - ABC Cookie Company
No information available.
Gail A. Whalen - Creations Office Support
Creations Office Support is the vision of Gail Whalen, drawing on over 20 years of experience in providing office support services to numerous companies. She strives to lead the company in providing professional and dependable service.
Creations realizes that appearance is everything, dressing for success can open many doors. It’s her goal to give every document and web site a professional image that conveys your message and makes an impact. No matter how large or small the assignment, each job will be handled with the utmost care to ensure quality and to make sure that every customer’s documents and web site have their own unique appearance.
Creations has been in existence since 1994, and was inspired by the Lord as part of the vision for Living Faith Apostolic Church. The business is currently operated out of her home, but she has made preparation to move into an office space within the next 6 months. Future growth will be achieved by personal financial investment in equipment and training.
As a Board Member, Asst Treasurer and Chairman of Housing Development Committee of MiraCit Development Corp, Treasurer of Argyle Park Civic Association and Secretary of the Greater Linden Business Network, her hope is to reach residents with the necessity of caring for their community.
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2010 Winners
Rob Coats Connect Your Life
Wanda Curry-Shepard Unique Services
Kendall D. Issac Esq. The Issac Firm LLC
Fanchon Gates-Kent Miss Black Ohio
Meredith Liepelt Rich Life Marketing
Charity Martin-Via Urban Spirit Coffee Shop
Gail Whalen Creations Office Support
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