By Dawn Tree, For The Oklahoma Eagle
A full-service nail salon, a welding supply company born in the middle of the pandemic and retail online company selling chic handbags are among the three top businesses receiving a boost from Mortar, a new Tulsa program designed to help small business owners
Mortar offers a 15-week course assisting existing and aspiring local entrepreneurs build a comprehensive business plan and learn the nuances of business management. TEDC, Tulsa Economic Development Corporation, is the corporation bringing the Mortar program to Tulsa.
The first-round of business were chosen during a Pitch Night last October. The next Pitch Night will take place on Dec. 6. It will feature the second graduating Mortar class pitching their business to a panel of judges. The winners will secure cash prizes and low to no interest loan assistance from TEDC Creative Capital.
If you’ve seen Shark Tank on television, you will have an idea of what Mortar’s Pitch Night is like. Participants are allowed 300 words maximum and three minutes to tell their business story to judges.
Shavonne Gurdy, who owns the welding supply company Generation FSH, LLC, alongside her husband Duane Gurdy captured second place after completing the program and pitching her business on October 19.
At first, she informed the Pitch Night organizer that she did not want to take part. “I told her I wasn’t pitching because I felt it was too much pressure. But ultimately, I thought what’s the worst that can happen, “Gurdy explained. Some of the other participants dropped out because they didn’t want to pitch, she said.
TEDC, founded in 1979, is an organization charged with promoting and sustaining small business growth in Tulsa. The Mortar training program brings together facilitators, business coaches, guest speakers and other community supporters who provide critical business entrepreneurship expertise.
Alejandra Palomo, program associate at TEDC, explained that the program comes from a partnership with a company in Cincinnati, Ohio. TEDC got the green light to run the program in Tulsa.
“It is especially needed, and we plan to have cohorts (participants) all year long as applications are open on our website,” Palomo said. There are 15 cohorts per class with seven completing the first and eight pitching next week. Because the program is still new, they are still in the process of measuring success, he explained. One measure of success will be how many participants apply and receive TEDC loans, he added.
After pitching to a panel of judges made up of TEDC staff, board members and community members first, second and entrepreneurial awards are given to the selected cohorts. First place receives $3,000 in prize money and zero interest on up to $50,000 loan, second place receives $1,500 and 3% interest on up to $5,000 loan with the entrepreneurial awardee receiving $500.
Profiles of Oct. 17 Pitch Night Winners
First Place
Nails by Noelle, LLC
Owned by Cayla Broughton
2717 S Memorial Dr, Suite A
nailsbynoelle.com
Cayla Broughton’s Nails by Noelle is a full-service nail salon located near the Broken Arrow Expressway and Interstate 44 on South Memorial Drive, in Tulsa. They market themselves as the ultimate professional full-service salon. They specialize in nails, waxing, lashes and facials — all at affordable prices and convenient hours. Their salon boasts a tranquil, polite and peaceful environment with comfortable seating and pleasant decorations.
Nails by Noelle recently celebrated their one-year anniversary. “We have such a great team, each of our team members brings unique specialties to the team and together we are a whole movement,” Broughton said. They welcome walk-ins but recommend appointments. They also offer #25dollarTuesdays.
Broughton said she is extremely grateful for the opportunity Mortar offered. She said the business opened mid-pandemic and were able to negotiate lower monthly payments at a time when owners were looking to fill spaces. “We also crowdfunded to help with startup costs and show lenders we had the support for loans,” Broughton said.
Q: What’s the most rewarding part of having a brick-and-mortar business?
A: Providing a space where everyone belongs, a space that provides the ultimate professional salon experience as well as gives back to its community!
Second Place
Generation FSH, LLC
Owned by Duane & Shavonne Grundy
1350 N. Louisville Avenue | Inside Hemphill Create
http://generationfsh.net
Generation FSH, a welding supply company also birthed in the middle of the pandemic provides pressure vessels, piping components, welding fabrication and much more. Duane and Shavonne Grundy were met with a few obstacles but with almost a decade Duane has spent in the welding profession, prayer, family and now the help of MORTAR they are more than employees and now business owners.
The Grundy’s named their business after the importance of creating legacy and generational wealth. They are Tulsa natives currently residing in Broken Arrow. They are parents of seven children.
“Simply the cost of having a brick and mortar is a challenge,” Shavonne Grundy said. An industrial building space and zoning is pricey, she added. By research and shopping around they were able to find a suitable space at an affordable price. They receive benefits from the State of Oklahoma as tenants of an incubator program.
Shavonne explained that the Mortar course offered three great benefits:
- The great business education that the curriculum offers.
- The relationships & exposure we received because it opens doors of opportunity!!
- The monetary prizes of $1500 and a 0% interest loan up to $50k, upon credit approval.
Q: What’s the most rewarding part of having a brick-and-mortar business?
A: The freedom. Freedom to know that we are building a legacy that we can pass down to our children and grandchildren (Generation to Generation). Freedom to focus not only on work but on our commitment to community and give back and expose African Americans to manufacturing, welding and other trades. Freedom to be our own bosses! Freedom to write our own story!
Entrepreneurial Award
JocLean’s Bags and Things
Owned by Tiffany Smith
Virtual
http://www.bags-and-things.com
“I am so glad I went through the Mortar program. The experts were really amazing,” Smith said. “The program was work but it was well worth it.”
Q: What’s the most rewarding part of having a business?
A: I’ve gained confidence and I will be starting another business in the New Year. I now have the knowledge I need to make my business better and more successful. The new business is named “D 2 P 2”— Dove, Diva, Pretty Girls and Poodles. We will specialize in Black Greek nine apparel.
