Four local businesses received cash awards as part of Grow MHC’s Tuesday event held in Martinsville City Council Chambers.
“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.
Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce President Lisa Watkins (from right) presented a cash prize to Brand Builders LLC owner Shelia Wilkins with the assistance of Martinsville Vice Mayor Jennifer Bowles.
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 currently expanding her business.
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.
Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce President Lisa Watkins (from left) presented a cash award to Tammy’s Grill owner Naquias Johnson with the help of Martinsville Vice Mayor Jennifer Bowles.
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 estimates that the building will need renovations costing approximately $70,000.
Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce President Lisa Watkins (from left) presents a cash award to Performance 276 owner LaDonna Hairston with the help of Martinsville Vice Mayor Jennifer Bowles.
LaDonna and Jerelle Hairston owned Performance 276, which received a cash award of $5,500. The business is a fitness, health and wellness business. It opened in Martinsville’s uptown in 2016, before moving to Memorial Boulevard for more space.
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 claimed that she has received the training required to be a certified healthcare provider. She is now a chronic diseases self-management coach and can bill insurance companies for chronic care.
Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce President Lisa Watkins (from left) presented a cash award to Sweet Heaven owner Shalita Armstrong with the help of Martinsville Vice Mayor Jennifer Bowles.
Sweet Heaven Inc. owner Shalita Armstrong was presented with a $5,500 check. The money will allow the company to move to Martinsville’s uptown business district and buy 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 was established in 2015 as a community-based business launch program. It has since graduated nearly 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.
Leon Towarnicki (Martinsville City Manager) spoke at the 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.”
Dale Wagoner, Henry County Administrator, spoke at the ceremony.
“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 great 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 has The Anonymous Fund. The George Lester II Fund and Longwood Small Business Development Center are also program partners.
“Thank you for … putting everything you have at risk because without that we wouldn’t have small business growth in our community,” Watkins said.