A Side Hustle Turned Full-Time
LaKeya Scott was a high-performing, 16-year, full-time professional working in the automotive dealership industry. In 2016, while still employed, Scott launched “Embracing Fire Designs,” her side hustle of designing logos, websites, tumblers, and T-shirts. Scott’s main business focus was helping small businesses build an identity and a brand.
After 7 years, Embracing Fire Designs grew to the point that Scott needed to decide whether to go full-time as a business owner or just do the side hustle in addition to her “day job.” Based on her children’s needs, she decided 1 to resign from her job and turn her side hustle into a full-time venture.
Scott had been using her spare bedroom as her workstation. She was judicious in using her funds to grow the business. For example, she used her tax refund to purchase a heat press, which optimized her t-shirt operation. As Scott worked to grow the business, she also needed additional technical support to scale it.
Scott had previously worked with the RISE organization, a Waynesboro, VA-based social justice organization that aims to uplift the Black community. RISE referred Scott to the entrepreneurship program B-Cubed. B-Cubed blends a combination of comprehensive business support including business plan development, technical assistance, and mentoring. RISE and B-Cubed are spokes in the U.S> Small Business Administration’s Community Navigator Pilot Program (CNPP).
CNPP reduces barriers underrepresented and underserved entrepreneurs often face in accessing the programs they need to recover, grow, or start their businesses. It’s comprised of a lead “Hub” at the center of a network of “Spoke” organizations that deploy community advocates to work with small businesses during the economic recovery. Through CNPP, Scott received classes in QuickBooks, accounting, marketing and other valuable technical assistance.
“These classes were essential and helpful to my business,” said Scott.
Scott includes her children in running her business. She values their efforts, and they are learning how to run a small business as well. The business has partnerships with high schools, little leagues, churches, and many others. Embracing Fire Designs has allowed Scott and her family to achieve her dream.