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  7. EforAll Holyoke to Start Summer Business for Local Entrepreneurs in both English and Spanish

EforAll Holyoke to Start Summer Business for Local Entrepreneurs in both English and Spanish

June 30, 2020 – Holyoke, MA – Sixteen early stage businesses and nonprofits have been selected to participate in two cohorts as part of the Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll) Summer Accelerator Program based in Holyoke.  Eight of these aspiring entrepreneurs will be in the organization’s new EparaTodos Accelerator which will be held entirely in Spanish while the other eight businesses will go through EforAll’s English program.  These businesses  were evaluated by more than 40 community leaders, EforAll Mentors, industry experts, and entrepreneurs through a rigorous application review and interview process. 

This year long program consists of 81% of the startups having at least one founder of color and 68% of the startups having at least one female founder. This is representative of EforAll’s mission to accelerate economic development and social impact through inclusive entrepreneurship in under-represented communities across the country. As part of the 2020 summer cohort, entrepreneurs will have access to expert mentorship, tailored curriculum, co-working space, and opportunities to win prize money.   The entrepreneurs are listed below:

EforAll Summer 2020 Cohort:

  • Chris Joel & Tiana Burnett of Holyoke – Studio 235: Production studio facilitating the niche group of photo/videographers, artists, musicians and podcasters 
  • Juan & Elsie Vazquez of Holyoke – 413 Family Fitness: Group fitness classes and personal training for the community. 
  • Yahaira Antonmarchi of Chicopee – By August Investment LLC: Purchasing abandoned, condemned or dilapidated homes and rehabbing them with quality, cost effective materials
  • David Pikul of Holyoke – FishEye Photography: Studio, Wedding, and event photography.
  • Tyrell Springer of Springfield – Mellie’s Lounge: Lounge, day time cafe and nightlife hookah lounge. 
  • Tracie Rubeck of South Hadley – 100 Pittroff Breads: Cottage bakery: Micro/ cottage bakery selling artisan sourdough bread.
  • Brendaliz Cepeda of Indian Orchard – Musical Movement Learning Cultural Learning Center: Cultural center where youth and adults can learn how to play an instrument also have options to learn folklore music from Puerto Rico Bomba y Plena
  • Johnathan Midwood of Ware – The Barn Keeper: Live edge kitchen tables, slab tables, furniture making.

EparaTodos Summer 2020 Cohort:

  • Ana Lourdes Aritga of Easthampton – El Camalito restaurant: After 8 years in business, Ana is looking to expand for a 3rd location and implement new ideas to her existing business.
  • Carlos Millayes of Holyoke – Clean Simple Services: Provide cleaning services to homes and businesses.
  • Gina Romero of Springfield – TerraNova: Gina has been working on making flower pots by hand with a variety of materials. She would like to help others learn more about agriculture.
  • Jailyne Torres of Chicopee – Shyguns: Jailyne owns her own brand called Shyguns which includes retail clothing designed by her and vintage clothing for sale.
  • Santos Gomez of Holyoke, Santos Construction: Santos wants to provide services that include construction in houses and repairing roofs.
  • Veronica Garcia of Springfield – Sin Limite Production- Veronica is launching a series of 30 minute podcasts in Spanish, in which trained professionals from the mental field come and talk about different topics involving mental health. 
  • Madeline Medina of Springfield – Flair My Way- Making her own flower decorations, calendars and planners.
  • Jaqueline Reyes of Holyoke – Plus Size Clothing for Men & Women– Provide accessible clothing for women and men that are plus size.

About EforAll

EforAll Holyoke is made possible with the support of grants, foundations, corporations and individuals including Mass. Growth Capital Corporation, the City of Holyoke CDBG program, the MassMutual Foundation, the Davis Foundation and PeoplesBank. 

Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll) is a nonprofit organization that partners with communities nationwide to help under-represented individuals successfully start and grow a business through intensive business training, mentorship and an extended professional support network. Programs are available in both English and Spanish. EforAll is currently available in the following MA communities:  Berkshire County, Cape Cod, Fall River, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, New Bedford, and Roxbury as well as Longmont CO. To learn more about EforAll, please visit eforall.org.