Spotlight On: Lily Angel, Entrepreneur and Owner of K|LA | Paying it Forward
K|LA Boutique is a women’s clothing and accessories franchise company looking to empower women to own and operate their own clothing boutique. We do this by empowering women to be the best version of themselves through fashion. Because when you look good, you feel good; and when you feel good, you can conquer the world. We have a fabulous selection of thoughtfully chosen, high quality (yet affordable), fashionable styles. We strive to create an inclusive welcoming space where every customer feels valued and confident.
Through a lifelong love of fashion, I always felt passionate about styling outfits and helping people put items together in a way that made them feel beautiful and confident. It was a childhood dream to have my own store, but as an immigrant it felt a little out of reach for me. However, after managing the K|LA stores in Charlotte for 7 years, I was given the opportunity to purchase the business. The previous owners believed in me so much that despite their attorney’s advice, they offered to finance me for the first 3 years. This was a huge opportunity for me and helped launch the brand into what it is today. I’ve since paid them back, but it left me with a need to pay it forward.
I’m now reaching my fifth year as a profitable business owner and I have learned so many lessons, both good and bad. I’ve been fortunate enough to have had many great bosses and mentors in my life. It would be an honor if I could pass on my knowledge to someone that is looking to pursue a similar path. For this reason I chose to turn the small business that I own into a franchise company.
When deciding to scale my business, it made perfect sense to join a program that can help me accomplish my goals. I was very lucky to be one of the Scale Up CLT scholarship recipients for 2023. I’ve only been in the program for three months and it’s already made a huge difference. I’ve been told that with each meeting or event, you can always walk away with a single nugget that gives you a new idea, or confirms an existing idea, that you can pursue. In my short time here, I've already experienced this. Before I joined, I knew I wanted a franchise model but the traditional model didn’t feel like the right fit. A fellow scholarship recipient brought a different franchise model to my attention that inspired me to come up with a new concept. The problem is that finding financing is not easy for someone with zero assets and a decent credit score, regardless of how hard they work and how talented they are. With this nugget I received at one of my EOA meetings, I’ll be able to give each franchisee the opportunity to join us with minimal investment and maximum support. This way, they will not have to take out a large six figure loan, and will be able to see a profit sooner. I look forward to seeing where this road takes me.
African American Leadership Academy of Charlotte Welcomes Inaugural Cohort
The African American Leadership Academy of Charlotte (AALAC), a new initiative focused on expanding the number and impact of African American leaders in the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, recently welcomed its inaugural class.
Inspired by the successful AALA, The Academy’s mission is to intentionally equip, empower, and advance local Black professionals to strengthen the pipeline of executive and c-suite leaders for the public, private and philanthropic sectors.
The CLT Alliance Foundation serves as a Founding partner and host for AALAC.
“The opportunities to lead in the Charlotte Region are immense. It is imperative that we prepare enough talented leaders to take advantage of those future opportunities,” CLT Alliance Foundation President Nate Hogan said. “Supporting AALAC is aligned with our vision to catalyze transformative growth in the Charlotte Region where dynamic small businesses and business leaders thrive, so this is an easy effort for us to get behind.”
Hogan and other Academy board members recently gathered at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for a reception and dinner to welcome the inaugural class of 14 corporate and nonprofit leaders. The event included remarks from JT Saunders, chief diversity officer at Korn Ferry, a key provider of the Academy’s efficacy-based curriculum.
“We are so pleased to invest in the Charlotte community. As a global organizational consultancy, we know the impact that can be realized through empowering Black leaders and cultivating inclusive environments where all talent can thrive,” Saunders said. “Our partnership provides access to our best leadership development content, executive coaching, and other digital assets that have proven to support leaders’ growth and development.”
The day following the reception, the Academy kicked off with an intensive retreat hosted at Ally Financial's uptown Charlotte location with sessions led by one of the program’s lead facilitators, Mo Wright.
Wright shared insights with the Academy fellows based on his work guiding its sister program in Ohio for more than a decade.
“There are many leadership initiatives, but this is not like other programs. It exclusively focuses on you. It’s about your growth, your acceleration, and creating your own path. You will finish with a greater sense of self, your leadership capabilities, and with real strategies to overcome obstacles at every level of your leadership journey. We know you make an impact in the community, that’s not our focus here, this is specifically about you. You are the project,” Wright said.
The Academy’s inaugural class includes professionals from various corporations including Ally, AvidXchange, Deloitte, Energy United, Lowe’s, Raytheon Technologies, Campbell’s, Wells Fargo, along with some nonprofit executive directors of organizations with budgets of $1 million or more. Fellows were nominated by the Academy’s advisory and governing board members and key partners.
“This is a stellar group of leaders, who will pave the way for the next cohort and move to higher roles in our community. We have individuals from different professional backgrounds and sectors to produce key outcomes,” Elizabeth Carter Trotman, the program’s director and president of One Catalyst Consulting, said. “The Academy is about intentionality when it comes to ‘building the bench’ in our community. Our goals are to help ensure that we have multiple African American executives, CEOs and community leaders at the table for years to come. We will do this by leveraging this successful model with Charlotte-focused content, and by creating a safe, supportive space for Black leaders. We will also do this by ensuring that our leaders leave with a strong, strategic network of support.”
The Academy’s founding partners include: leadership funders, Ally Financial and the CLT Alliance Foundation; empowerment funders, Lowe’s and Wells Fargo; and supportive funders, AvidXchange, Bank of America, the Charlotte Hornets, RAMA Consulting, The Schott Foundation and individual donors, along with seed funding from Foundation For The Carolinas.
The program is administered by One Catalyst Consulting in partnership with the Harvey B. Gantt Center as an event partner. For more information on the African American Leadership Academy of Charlotte, visit aalacharlotte.org.
CLT Alliance Foundation Small Business Exec Tya Bolton Named to CBJ ‘Power 100’ List
The Charlotte Business Journal has announced the honorees for its 2023 Power 100 List. This year’s class is made up of the region’s leaders in diversity, equity and inclusion. Included in the Power 100 is Tya Bolton, director of small business and entrepreneurship for the CLT Alliance Foundation.
The CBJ’s editorial staff spent months seeking out nominations, working through contacts across companies big and small, and asking for the help of nonprofits and civic organizations to identify the DEI players who are setting the agenda here.
"Tya's steadfast commitment to helping entrepreneurs start, run and grow their businesses has added and will continue to add significant value to the Charlotte Region,” CLT Alliance Foundation President Nate Hogan said. “We couldn’t be more excited for Tya to receive this much deserved honor and look forward to the impact Tya’s work will have on the economic growth of our communities.”
The CBJ asked the honorees for their thoughts on where Charlotte is headed and how they are helping get us there. The responses ranged from a couple hundred words to more than 1,000 — all striking for the depth of thought and important for the promise of positive actions. These are serious people who are leading change.
“I lead with love and aim to leave a legacy that drives ongoing social change, honors the uniqueness of all, and fosters a thriving inclusive environment supported by necessary resources,” Bolton said.
One of the questions asked of all 100 honorees: What is your definition of diversity?
“Diversity is multicultural, multigenerational, and socioeconomically inclusive. It is about acknowledging and valuing differences, creating an environment where all feel respected, included and empowered to contribute without repercussions,” Bolton said. “Embracing diversity leads to broadened perspectives, improved problem-solving, increased creativity and a stronger sense of unity.”
The CBJ’s thought on diversity: it’s in these profiles, the very best of Charlotte trying in 100 different ways to make this a better place. For everyone.
See the full Power 100 List here.
African American Leadership Academy of Charlotte Launching This Fall
This fall, a group of Charlotte African American leaders will participate in the inaugural class of the African American Leadership Academy of Charlotte (AALAC), a new initiative of the CLT Alliance Foundation administered by One Catalyst Consulting. Hosted in partnership with the Harvey B. Gantt Center as an event venue partner, the program will begin with a welcome reception this month.
The Academy’s mission is to intentionally equip, empower, and advance local Black professionals to strengthen the impact and pipeline of executive and C-suite leaders for the public, private and philanthropic sectors. AALAC aligns with key components of the Mayor’s Racial Equity Initiative including advancing Black leaders, as it focuses on expanding the number and impact of African American leaders in our community by creating a safe, supportive space that fosters acceleration and growth.
“The Academy will help us continue to build a community of diverse leaders, where everyone feels accepted and supported throughout their career journey,” Mayor Vi Lyles said. “It is a safe place for focused conversations about the African American experience and leadership strategies to help navigate headwinds and achieve success.”
Inspired by a program in Ohio, the initiative includes a research-based efficacy curriculum by Korn Ferry, six months of complimentary executive coaching, and fireside chats with C-suite leaders. Recommended academy fellows are at director, executive director, VP or SVP level with goals of advancement to higher executive or C-suite roles, or leading larger organizations.
AALAC was initiated through civic leadership efforts at the Foundation For The Carolinas after hosting the “Building a Pipeline of Black Leadership” event in August of 2022. From there, its director, Elizabeth Trotman of One Catalyst, worked with a group of community and corporate leaders to develop a tailored program for the Charlotte community.
“We must be intentional about ensuring that there are African American executives in leadership roles,” Trotman said. “There’s plenty of room for growth as it relates to representation, and with key leaders retiring or transitioning we must act now to ensure we have a pipeline of Black leaders now and in the future. We want to look back three, five and 10 years from now and see a stronger community that reflects the diversity we seek at all levels.”
An intentional alliance, the Academy also supports the CLT Alliance Foundation’s goals to advance Black executive and business leaders. CLT Alliance Foundation president Nate Hogan described the partnership: “This is a pivotal time for our community and our organization, and this is exactly the work we want to engage in. Helping measurably advance Black leaders is important not only for the leaders, but also for the community as a whole and our regional economy. We’re excited to be part of this legacy-building effort.”
The Academy’s founding funding partners include Leadership funders, The CLT Alliance Foundation,and Ally Financial; Empowerment funders, Lowe’s and Wells Fargo; and Supportive funders, Bank of America, AvidXchange and individual donors. For more information on the African American Leadership Academy of Charlotte, visit aalacharlotte.org.
Spotlight On: Anne Pipkin, Entrepreneur and Founder of Gorgeous Glo
We are Gorgeous Glo, Charlotte’s premier beauty, blowout, and custom spray tan boutique. We provide skin-nourishing organic tans year round with zero exposure to UVA or UVB rays. We provide an exceptional level of attention to detail in all of our beauty services, and have grown our client base from zero customers to more than 26,000 since we opened in 2010.
We actively partner with Levine Cancer Institute and others organizations to promote skin safe practices all year long. We provide a venue for LCI’s free community head and neck screenings (the initial stages in the diagnosis of melanoma) at our annual women’s empowerment forum.
Thanks to Gorgeous Glo, we hope the community will be more aware of the dangers of melanoma, and the ease with which it can be prevented. We aim to help others feel their “Gg” best, a beauty that is so much more than skin deep.
Our owner Anne Pipkin was inspired to provide her community with a safe alternative to tanning after her father passed away from melanoma in 2000. A month after her father’s death, her sister was diagnosed with melanoma; early diagnosis due to education was the key to saving her sister’s life.
If one was to map the challenges our business has encountered along the way, it would look like a topographical one with many peaks and valleys. We have been able to move the needle in our own community in terms of awareness, and for that we’re grateful. We were unable to move the needle at all in our former Charleston, South Carolina, location, and the acceptance of that has been trying emotionally.
Navigating through COVID was our greatest challenge by far. We were forced by our state board to close our establishments completely for several months, and the impact was profound.
Staffing has been an issue ever since we’ve reopened. Our pre-COVID staff was absolutely incredible for returning to work when and how they did. Each one of our staff members made a selfless decision to keep our business going, considering the fact that they could have made more money by continuing to stay out of work and to file for unemployment.
We owe everything to our staff, we always have, and we always will. Even in 2021 when our salon was inundated with appointments after we reopened, they were patient and kind with a backlog of clients who had not received services in months. Their diligence to keep our salon immaculately clean was key to the successful ramping back up of our business.
Having a mission to leave our community a better place was a major driving force. We are also blessed with an incredibly low turnover rate, and staff who are deeply committed and view Gorgeous Glo as a collective, rather than one owner’s personal business. Our immensely loyal customers were grateful for our return as pandemic restrictions eased and our business recovered completely from a more than 70% drop in total revenues in 2020.
We do everything we can to make sure our staff know they are listened to and appreciated. We allow our employees to customize their services they offer, depending upon what they want to do, rather than a set list for every employee.
The ultimate goal is that our staff knows this is OUR business, not just Anne’s.
Our staffing strategies now include:
- Full respect for a staff that is client-facing every day,
- Accommodation of individualized staff-elected services,
- Business hour changes made to accommodate the staff-driven schedules, and
- The addition of PTO, which was a new part of the staff benefit package.
We have already noticed an incremental increase in services after the past several weeks’ participation in Scale Up CLT. The program provided the push we needed to explore our website data and back-end statistics from our POS system. We've now been able to begin pursuing a variety of what we’ve come to call “low hanging fruit” revenue opportunities.
This program has helped us to be more inclusive of all high-level initiatives with our staff, and their input as “boots on the ground” has been invaluable. This is the most motivated and engaged we have ever been, and we believe the future is incredibly bright.
It is exceptionally difficult for an owner/operator to consciously take time from their already jam-packed day to completely analyze their financials, and address their business fundamentals. The Scale Up CLT program has forced us to slow down, and create a research-based recipe for success for our particular business arena. The roadmap we have created from the program’s initiatives has reinvigorated our business goals. We can see the changes we have implemented and they are already making a difference in our business model.
Since we opened in 2010, our client list has grown to more than 26,000 names, and we don’t simply email those clients with spray tan or blowout discounts. We use our collective media accounts for good, and to provide the community with life-bettering information.
Throughout the year, we provide our clients (and any guests at events we attend) ample information about skin cancer research and education. It is our belief that by educating the community on skin safe practices, we can reduce the number of melanoma instances. Each May, in honor of Melanoma Awareness Month, we donate a percentage of our overall profit to the Levine Cancer Institute. In 2020, we established a charitable arm of Gorgeous Glo, elimin8, through which we donate to a variety of causes.
In addition to our melanoma education outreach, we are deep believers in supporting women. As a breast cancer survivor herself, our owner Anne Pipkin found that patients during radiation therapy would benefit from a complimentary beauty treat. In particular, we provide free blowouts for mammosite radiation patients.
We host a variety of annual events supporting women entrepreneurs. Each fall, we donate our SouthPark salon’s space to showcase a panel of local woman entrepreneurs. We highlight women from a wide array of backgrounds and industries, and this year we have branded the event “Women Who Wow”. We anticipate a wonderful turnout on October 17th.
The encouragement and support Gorgeous Glo owner Anne Pipkin has received in Charlotte drives her to pay it forward on a daily basis. If asked for advice by an aspiring entrepreneur, Anne would encourage networking and the education of your network as much as possible, particularly in the early years of your business. This pays dividends over time, and your network will support you in ways you never imagined.
Ultimately, Scale Up CLT has helped us to gather Gorgeous Glo’s loose ends… and now we are able to create a cohesive and easily followable roadmap. We had “split ends” and we are now well on our way to a beautiful, smooth blowout!
Pardon the pun, occupational hazard in the hair industry.
Meet the Next Class of Entrepreneurs Ready To ‘Scale Up’ Business to $1M
The CLT Alliance Foundation is excited to announce the 2023-2024 class of Scale Up CLT. This year’s class is comprised of 21 diverse entrepreneurs across the Charlotte Region.
Scale Up CLT is a partnership between the CLT Alliance Foundation, EO Accelerator, and the City of Charlotte providing coaching and support to diverse and female entrepreneurs interested in growing their businesses to $1 million plus in revenue. Participants of Scale Up CLT receive a scholarship of up to $10,000, which includes partial payment of the EO Accelerator program $2,500 first-year dues, and access to CLT Alliance Ally-level investor benefits for a year. As Ally-level investors, participants will receive invitations to the CLT Alliance Investor Quarterly Meetings, Regional Insight Forums, and a chance to attend the CLT Alliance’s fall planning Leadership Retreat and/or Exploring Economies in the spring.
Hosted by Wray Ward, the new class met the CLT Alliance Foundation Board, along with other prominent members of the Charlotte entrepreneurial community. Participants were also graced with the likes of local entrepreneur Byron “Chef B” Hailey, who provided a menu specially curated for the event.
“The new participants of Scale Up CLT are a testament to the boundless potential and vibrant diversity within the entrepreneurial landscape of the Charlotte Region,” CLT Alliance Foundation Program Manager Jonathan Evans said. “As they embark on this transformative journey, they not only embrace innovation but also redefine the future of business. We are excited to help them grow as business owners and see their growth as future business leaders.”
Feedback from class is already very positive.
“Receiving this scholarship is truly an honor. I am deeply thankful for the opportunity to scale up our business to the next level in order to contribute to Charlotte's undeniable growth and success.”, participant Amir Tehranchian said. “We are excited to be working alongside Charlotte’s own incredible business leaders to make strides towards providing even better experiences and services for our diverse clientele and contributing to the culture and betterment of the Charlotte community.”
Members of this year’s class include Sharon Allen of H&S Therapeutic Services; Lily Angel of K-La Boutique; Morgan Best of M.L. Best Consulting; Alaa Bou Ghanem of Architect Builder Group PLLC; Tameka Brewington of Real Talk Counseling; Tamu Curtis of The Cocktailery; Chris Davis of Buff Beauty Academy; Khalid Davis of Khalid Davis Electric; Tammy Foster-Knight of Optional Solutions, LLC; Samir Hamid of F4mily Matters; Kenny Hill Jr. of Carolina Repair Services Inc; Amy Johnson of Strata Project Management Group, LLC; Raymond Jordan of Spikes Out Tree Care; Venus Kennedy of Charlotte Women's Counseling; Yacara Mungo-Dozier of Enlighten Legacy Learning Centers LLC; Abi Olukeye of Smart Girls HQ; Anne Pipkin of Gorgeous Glo; Kim Rosas of Period.Shop; Tamar Slay of Slay Basketball; Amir Tehranchian of The Revel Room; and Julian Tingle of Community Advancement Agency LLC.
To provide a scholarship or learn more about how to be selected for a scholarship, please contact Jonathan Evans jevans@charlotteregion.com.
Nate Hogan Named to NSBA Leadership Council
CLT Alliance Foundation President Nate Hogan was recently named to the National Small Business Association (NSBA) Leadership Council. NSBA is the nation’s oldest small-business advocacy organization, and operates on a staunchly nonpartisan basis.
Hogan, a recognized leader in the small-business community, joins the NSBA Leadership Council alongside other small-business advocates from across the country as they work to promote the interests of small business to policymakers in Washington, D.C.
"Being invited to join the National Small Business Association Leadership Council is a reflection of the CLT Alliance Foundation’s commitment to ensuring we bring a full complement of people, programming and technology (including data and information) to bear in our mission to grow the economy one small business at a time," Hogan said.
Hogan leads the CLT Alliance Foundation’s work to empower underrepresented small businesses, entrepreneurs, and business leaders in the Charlotte Region. He has 25 years of experience as an entrepreneur, intrapreneur, and senior executive with proven success in defining strategic vision, providing transformational leadership, advocating for equity in urban public education, leading high-performing public and nonprofit boards and driving business growth in hyper-competitive markets.
Hogan joined the NSBA Leadership Council as part of his efforts to tackle the many critical issues facing small business, including tax reform, regulatory restraint, health care costs and how access to capital will impact small business. The NSBA Leadership Council is focused on providing valuable networking between small-business advocates from across the country while ensuring small business a seat at the table as Congress and regulators take up key small-business proposals.
“I am proud to have Nate as part of our Leadership Council,” NSBA President and CEO Todd McCracken said. "He came to us highly recommended and I look forward to our coordinated efforts for years to come."
Click here to learn more about Hogan and the work of the CLT Alliance Foundation.
Mayor's Racial Equity Initiative Nearing $250M Goal | We're Making Undeniable Progress
As we enter mid-year 2023, we are providing an update on the continued work of the Mayor’s Racial Equity Initiative, including funding and key successes within each of its four focus areas thus far. We are pleased to report that the momentum continues as Key Priority Focus areas are making undeniable progress.
Funding Update
Financial support for the Mayor’s Racial Equity Initiative remains strong. The current total toward the combined public/private sector goal is $245.5 million of the $250 million goal. The private sector portion of the campaign exceeded its goal of $150 million at the end of 2022 and currently stands at $157 million.
Fund Distribution Update & Focus Area Updates
Here are the fund allocations, to date, to each of the focus areas:
- Bridging the Digital Divide: $9,587,000
- Investing in Corridors of Opportunity: $67,500,000
- Transforming JCSU for the Future: $4,994,000
- Catalyzing Employer Commitment: $527,635
Bridging the Digital Divide — Center for Digital Equity at Queens University of Charlotte
With its MREI funding, the Center for Digital Equity has supported the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s distribution of more than 20,000 laptops. Funds provided by the CDE allowed the library to host multiple events to distribute the devices.
The Center has received 3,000 resident requests through its digital navigation services for internet support in 2023 — a 400% increase over 2022. Eighty-five percent of these requests were for help obtaining affordable internet. This month, the CDE will produce its public annual report that will highlight progress toward goals across all areas of focus. After the report’s launch, CDE will kick off a series of deep listening sessions with residents most impacted by the digital divide. These sessions will be conducted in partnership with 10 community-based organizations.
Investing in Corridors of Opportunity—City of Charlotte
While $67.5 million has been allocated to the Corridors, much of the dollars are committed to long-term projects. However, significant progress has already been made within several corridors. The Sugar Creek Corridor was strengthened with the Economy/Budget Inn Hotel purchase, which will be used for future affordable for-sale housing.
The playbook—a strategic document that identifies the goals and priorities for each corridor—is complete for the North Tryon/North Graham Corridor, and the launch of the playbook process for the Wilkinson and Freedom Corridors will take place in Q3 2023. All corridors continue to benefit from the ongoing identification and implementation of business district support, infrastructure projects, housing support and workforce development opportunities. This is in addition to the expansion of the three-year SafeBiz CLT pilot program, a partnership with local businesses to install security cameras that feed into the Real Time Crime Center and enable emergency response teams to efficiently respond to security calls.
The Corridors of Opportunity workstream also won two grants: a Living Cities/Main Street America Technical Assistance Grant through a partnership with Truist for development of community-based business organizations, and a Thriving Communities Grant to support neighborhood groups interested in transportation improvements.
Finally, Wells Fargo released an update from its Beyond Open small business grants program, a $20 million commitment to build economic mobility within Charlotte’s Corridors of Opportunity and support diverse small businesses. In Round 1, the grant program awarded $5.9 million across nearly 180 diverse-owned small businesses and a small number of nonprofit organizations. Information on Round 2 of the program is available at beyondopenclt.com, and applications will be open August 1-30. Beyond Open is administered by FFTC Partners for Empowering Communities, a supporting organization of Foundation For The Carolinas.
Transforming Johnson C. Smith University for the Future
Building on last year’s hire of Dr. Nicole McDonald to lead JCSU’s transformation work, the University has onboarded three new academic deans as well as a dean for University College and Student Success. JCSU has also been hard at work on a series of comprehensive recruitment and retention initiatives, including the 400 NOW initiative, which aims to drive a 400-student freshman class for the upcoming academic year. In addition, the University also launched a proactive advising and retention technology platform to act as an early-alert system for at-risk students.
JCSU has also expanded many aspects of its student services by adding additional student success, mental health and enrollment management staff. In addition, the University’s academic deans have initiated the expansion of several curricula, including business, data analytics and computer science as well as pre-professional programs and pathways in the law, medicine and health professions to drive interest among potential students. This month, JCSU will release its transformation annual report highlighting progress across each of five major goals.
Catalyzing Employer Commitment — Charlotte Regional Business Alliance® Foundation
To foster the critical work of growing minority-owned small businesses and cultivating Black leaders, three roles were hired and onboarded by The Charlotte Regional Business Alliance® Foundation – President, Executive Vice President and Director of Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
Additional work includes procuring a digital resource hub that increases visibility of small business resources that will be implemented late summer; creating a sustainable fundraising strategy; the launch of a DEI-focused employer cohort strategy to ensure equitable and diverse practices; and investing in a localized version of the African American Leadership Academy – a premier leadership academy based in Ohio.
Separately, work has begun on the Workforce Pathways Project, an initiative of the Charlotte Executive Leadership Council. Through the program, employers and training providers will be able to scale up training for jobs in demand. Phase One of the project entailed gaining insight from a select group of employers around hiring needs and the initial build of a talent intelligence system for future workforce planning. Phase Two will explore partnerships with talent providers as well as the launch of a Talent Development Hub.
More to Come
As you can see, there’s an incredible amount of momentum across the MREI’s four Priority Areas – momentum that’s already led to marked shifts in the quest for a more equitable Charlotte. Again, a sincere thank you to our funders for your support – this progress wouldn’t be possible without you.
Photo Courtesy of Jon Strayhorn, Media Arts Collective
The Art of Entrepreneurship | Khaleel Loyd's Story of Creativity and Success
Creativity and entrepreneurship go hand in hand. Khaleel Loyd, the co-founder of Loyd Visuals, is a perfect example of how combining these two elements can lead to remarkable success. With a passion for authentic storytelling and a drive to create meaningful visual experiences, Loyd Visuals has experienced significant revenue and team size growth since joining Cohort 3 of Scale Up CLT in 2021.
Khaleel attributes this remarkable growth to various factors, including the invaluable information provided through the Scale Up CLT and Entrepreneurs’ Organization Accelerator (EOA) programs. Scale Up CLT is a collaborative scholarship program designed to accelerate the growth and success of minority-owned businesses in the Charlotte Region. In partnership with the CLT Alliance Foundation, Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) Charlotte, and the City of Charlotte, this one-of-a-kind opportunity offers financial scholarships to qualifying businesses to participate in a comprehensive program that helps build social capital and business acumen.
These programs have equipped Loyd Visuals with the knowledge and resources needed to navigate the entrepreneurial landscape in Charlotte. Additionally, access to social capital has played a pivotal role in their success, allowing them to forge partnerships with organizations such as CRVA, Leading on Opportunity, Honeywell, the LA Rams, and more.
As Khaleel reflects on Loyd Visuals' success, he acknowledges the pivotal role of Scale Up CLT and the CLT Alliance Foundation.
"The Scale Up program has been instrumental in our growth. It has provided us with the tools and guidance to scale our business effectively and seize opportunities in the market," he said. "The support we have received from the CLT Alliance Foundation has been invaluable. It has opened doors for us and allowed us to connect with influential partners and clients who have contributed to our success."
People, Processes, and Systems
In 2022, Loyd Visuals achieved remarkable success by prioritizing three crucial aspects: people, processes, and systems. Recognizing the importance of their team, Loyd Visuals invested in training and development opportunities, fostering a positive and supportive work environment that nurtures creativity and collaboration. Additionally, the company implemented new processes and systems to enhance efficiency and productivity. In just a short time, Loyd Visuals has expanded its team from five members to an impressive 12, and they continue to hire talented individuals who share their vision. This growth is a testament to their dedication and the impact of the Scale Up CLT program in nurturing and supporting their entrepreneurial journey. By focusing on these critical areas, Loyd Visuals has built a solid foundation for continued growth and success in 2023.
A Clear Vision for the Future
Loyd Visuals is poised for continued expansion and influence in the coming years. With a talented team in place, a robust infrastructure, and a clear vision for the future, Khaleel is confident in the company's ability to scale and make a lasting impact. Loyd Visuals aims to create a world that embraces and celebrates authentic storytelling while providing more opportunities for creatives in Charlotte and beyond.
Final Thoughts
Khaleel’s remarkable journey with Loyd Visuals exemplifies the transformative power of the Scale Up CLT program. Through the support and resources provided by the CLT Alliance Foundation, Loyd Visuals experienced significant growth in revenue and team size in a relatively short period. This success story is just one example of how the investment made by the CLT Alliance Foundation in Scale Up CLT and its entrepreneurs is making a lasting impact on the inclusivity and vibrancy of our region.
By empowering minority-owned businesses like Loyd Visuals, Scale Up CLT fosters a more inclusive and diverse entrepreneurial landscape in the Charlotte Region. The program provides financial support, invaluable mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to expert guidance. Through these initiatives, the CLT Alliance Foundation facilitates an environment where entrepreneurs can thrive, regardless of background or circumstances.
Scale Up CLT Entrepreneurs Surpass $1 Million Revenue Milestone
The CLT Alliance Foundation is excited to celebrate Scale Up CLT participants Khaleel Lloyd, Saichelle McNeill, Tiffani Sims, Christina Lee, Yvette Hall, and Jessyca Shuttleworth, a group of remarkable entrepreneurs from the Charlotte Region who have recently graduated from the Entrepreneurs' Organization Accelerator (EOA) program, surpassing the $1 million revenue milestone.
EOA is an innovative program that helps aspiring entrepreneurs develop their strategy, finance, people, sales, and marketing skills through a series of high-impact learning events and small group accountability sessions. Entrepreneurs graduate from the program once their businesses reach $1 million in revenue.
“Their accomplishments serve as a testament to their hard work and determination,” Nate Hogan, president of the CLT Alliance Foundation, said. “They continue to impress us with their ability to scale their businesses and positively impact our vibrant region.”
The graduates are also alumni of Scale Up CLT, a collaborative program offered in partnership with the CLT Alliance Foundation, Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) Charlotte, and the City of Charlotte. The program provides support for qualifying minority-owned businesses in the Charlotte Region to grow and succeed through coaching, networking, and education.
“Since joining the Scale Up CLT program in 2021, Loyd Visuals has experienced significant growth in both revenue and team size,” Khaleel Loyd, CEO and executive producer at Loyd Visuals, said. “This growth was driven by a number of factors, including the information provided through the Scale Up CLT/EOA program, the access to social capital, closing of deals with CRVA, Leading on Opportunity, Honeywell, the LA Rams and others.”
“I would like to thank EO Accelerator and the CLT Alliance for playing a critical role in helping my business partner and I scale our company from $350,000 in revenue to over $1 million within two years,” Christina Lee, CEO of Paradigm 360 Coach Training, said. “Now I think bolder, wiser, and bigger as a business owner and there is no ceiling above me when it comes to scaling my organization.”
“As a participant of Scale Up CLT and the EO Accelerator, I have gained so much knowledge about entrepreneurism in Charlotte,” Saichelle McNeil, owner of The Washroom Laundry Service, said. “More importantly, I’ve learned about the connection between small business and its importance to the city. As a Scale Up CLT participant, I got a warm introduction to city government. Having access to the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance® team and their investors was extremely beneficial.”
Several EOA participants received additional recognition:
- Sharon Jones, Scale Up CLT’s Cohort 4 member, received the Thirst for Learning Award.
- Saichelle McNeil, Scale Up CLT’s Cohort 2 member, received the Together We Grow Award.
- Tiffani Sims, Scale Up CLT’s Cohort 3 member, received the Think Big, Be Bold Award.
Jones and Katheryn Hermida from Cohort 4 also joined the 2023-2024 EOA Board of Directors.
“The accomplishments of Scale Up CLT alums highlight the potential of the entrepreneurial landscape in the Charlotte Region,” Hogan said. “We applaud their hard work, determination, and dedication to their businesses.”
Scale Up CLT is a one-of-a-kind transformative program that brings together the collaborative efforts of the CLT Alliance Foundation, EO Charlotte, and the City of Charlotte. It serves qualifying minority-owned businesses in the Charlotte Region with annual revenue between $250,000 and $999,999. This program is designed to empower entrepreneurs and foster their growth. Scale Up CLT offers scholarships worth more than $10,000, which include benefits like EO business accelerator, CLT Alliance Ally-Level investor benefits, expert coaches and mentors, social capital opportunities, and peer-to-peer learning. This unique approach fuels the potential of minority-owned businesses, helping them achieve their entrepreneurial dreams while contributing to a more inclusive business environment for all.