HustleSBE Cohort Four

On December 7, 2021, the South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership concluded its fourth HustleSBE cohort, a business bootcamp aimed toward providing support and assistance to minority and women entrepreneurs across the five-county region.

“My participation in HustleSBE was phenomenal,” said Stephanie Coleman, HustleSBE cohort four graduate and co-owner and operator of Coleman Solutions. “As a new minority business owner, our foundation is stronger and our strategies are appropriately planned which means our customers will be better served. Coleman Solutions is a small giant because of this opportunity! I’m grateful and thankful!”

Cohort four was hosted in partnership with the Business Diversity Initiative at the Greater Elkhart Chamber. This cohort was comprised of 60% African American or Black business owners, and 40% Multiracial, Hispanic or Latino, or Caucasian or White business owners, with 90% female and 10% male. Sixty percent have established businesses in Elkhart, and 40% in the South Bend area. More than half were just getting started during the pandemic shutdown of 2020. Collectively, the graduates are on track to see a 65% increase in revenue over 2022, equipped with the tools and network HustleSBE provided. Cohort Four included businesses from insurance, health and wellness, professional services, food industry and construction.

“Hustle SBE has taken an innovative and effective approach to helping new minority and women business owners grow and become sustaining members of our diverse business community in the region,” said Levon Johnson, president and CEO of the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce, and member of the South Bend – Elkhart Regional Partnership’s board of directors. The Business Diversity Initiative of the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce is excited and grateful for the partnership with the South Bend - Elkhart Regional Partnership that makes powerful connections that support our mission to strengthen the Greater Elkhart business community.” To read the full press release, click here.