In GlenVillage, six inspired local entrepreneurs have the opportunity to launch their passions into free-standing businesses within a supportive, nurturing space.
From fashion designers to restaurants and hair salons, the micro shops at GlenVillage are designed to be a hub in an underserved area of the community, says LaRese Purnell, operations manager of the business incubator and managing partner of CLE Consulting, which, through its partners, provides comprehensive technical support, training and mentorship to the entrepreneurs while they test their business ideas. GlenVillage is funded through the City of Cleveland, the Neighborhood Transformation Initiative and Cleveland Citywide Development Corporation.
“The whole project was to create opportunities and to bring another space where the Glenville community could support small businesses,” says Purnell, who has worked with hundreds of first-generation entrepreneurs throughout the region. “The purpose is to bring the minority owned and operated businesses in, work with them, provide them technical assistance, and then help them to continue to catapult their businesses.
“Those are pure examples of success,” Purnell says. “When we talk about minority-owned businesses, specifically black-owned businesses, there hasn’t been a lot of success nationally in their ability to keep their doors open. This speaks to their strength and their ability to be able to navigate tough times as well as their work ethic.”
Purnell says it takes more than an incubator space to make a business successful. Community residents, local political figures and area partners and corporations have been supportive. “It takes a village when you’re talking about a small business that’s already plagued with issues of trying to be successful.”
