Four local businesses were awarded cash prizes as part of the Grow MHC program, which was held in Martinsville City Council Chambers on Tuesday.
“Today is a great day to celebrate our growing businesses here in Martinsville and in Henry County,” Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce President Lisa Watkins said.
Shelia Williams, founder of Brand Builders LLC, was awarded $5,500. Williams’ business is a promotional products distributor business started more than 20 years ago. She is expanding the company.
Williams said that the money she received would go towards purchasing a piece equipment, which will cost $21,000. It will enable her to do engraving using a UV LED printer.
Naquias Johnson, owner of Tammy’s Grill, received a cash award of $5,500. Johnson launched his business with a food cart in memory of his mother in 2018. He has also completed the Startup and Grow MHC programs.
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The money Johnson received will go toward the cost of moving into Tammy’s Grill’s a building at 2023 Virginia Ave. in the Holiday Shopping Center. Watkins estimated the building’s renovation cost at $70,000.
LaDonna Hairston, Jerelle Carter and Performance 276, received a $5,500 cash award. This business is a fitness, health and wellness business. It opened in Martinsville in 2016, before moving to Memorial Boulevard.
Hairston and Carter plan to use the money to help expand their services to include health education in partnership with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Prevent Type 2 Diabetes curriculum, United Way’s Chronic Disease Self-Management program and The Arthritis Foundation Walk with Ease Program.
Hairston stated that she is a certified health professional, which makes her a chronic disease self management coach. This allows her to bill insurance companies for chronic healthcare services.
Sweet Heaven Inc. owner Shalita Armstrong was presented with a $5,500 check. The money will be used to relocate the business to Martinsville and purchase new equipment.
One business, ABC Planners, owned by Kevin Johnson who is the developer and manufacturer of planner systems that provides water and aeration, received a one-year membership to Patrick and Henry Community College’s Fab Lab to help ABC explore its business model for future production.
Grow MHC started in 2015 as a program for community businesses to launch. Today, it has helped more than 300 small business owners. This program has provided more than $485724 in cash or in-kind funding for graduates. It represents $4.5 million of new capital investment, and 255 new job opportunities.
This year’s program that ended in the fall had 11 graduates representing nine businesses. Some of them presented business plans to the judges, while four others received cash awards at the awards ceremony.
“I’m fortunate to be able to have participated in these programs since the very beginning,” Martinsville City Manager Leon Towarnicki said. “I continue to be impressed with the people that live locally and those who work to start up their own business.”
“Congratulations to each of you,” Henry County Administrator Dale Wagoner said. “Thank you for allowing me to be a part of the process. It was interesting to hear your pitches. It was exciting to listen to your business plans and let me assure you, your business plans are solid so I encourage you to work your plan.”
The Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia is a program partner. It includes The Anonymous Fund through The Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia, The George Lester II Fund and Longwood Small Business Development Center. The Campbell Family Group, Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission. Appalachian Power and American National Bank in Martinsville City and Henry County.
“Thank you for … putting everything you have at risk because without that we wouldn’t have small business growth in our community,” Watkins said.