It’s that same spirit that drew her to Operation HOPE Small Business Coach Nicole Escalera, who guided her through the organization’s One Million Black Businesses (1MBB) program. Xiomara recognized in Nicole someone who has a strong “care factor” like she does. Nicole isn’t satisfied with just checking a box that her clients completed a module or a task—she’s determined to help them create lasting change through entrepreneurship.

“At first I just wanted to create a business plan so I could have one and get it over with. But as the questions kept coming, I was like, ‘you know what? Let me put thought into this. Let me not just finish this because it needs to be done. Let me…use it for me,’” Xiomara said.

With Nicole’s support, Xiomara applied her newfound knowledge from the 1MBB program to make her business plan a dynamic document that would articulate her company’s vision and growth strategy. Through this process, Xiomara realized her dream was to expand her spa into a larger property.

But she wasn’t sure where to start when it came to borrowing the money required to fund her expansion goals. “I wasn’t clear on where and how to proceed. I didn’t have a clear vision of the things that needed to be implemented in the business in order to justify borrowing this money,” she said.

Enter Nicole once again. In addition to helping Xiomara define an overarching vision for the company, Nicole brought connections and expertise to give her practical hands-on knowledge to make her dream a reality.

For example, Nicole advised Xiomara to open a business account for her spa and tapped her extensive network where Xiomara was able to secure personal funding. Now the business banking specialist is preparing Xiomara with the products that she needs to secure the expansion funding. When the loan is finalized, Nicole will coach Xiomara on how to effectively apply and manage the new funding to achieve her expansion goals and partner her up with a business mentor via the 1MBB program.

Xiomara also turns to Nicole to find new ways to grow foot traffic in her existing storefront. In fact, Nicole went so far as to sit down with Xiomara to analyze her online marketing plan and determine the best days and time of engagement. In just three months, her incoming leads from Google increased by 20%.

“I would have never known about any of this stuff if it wasn’t for her—her connections, her willingness to call me to see how the business is doing. Nicole listened when I told her what I was going through and would say, ‘Okay, I think you could benefit from this. I think you could benefit from that.’ She doesn’t give up and neither do I, so we make a great team,” said Xiomara.

Today, Xiomara’s vision extends far beyond her own success. With Operation HOPE and Coach Nicole Escalera by her side, she continues to dream bigger, grow stronger, and inspire others to pursue their own paths to success. What began as a small daytime spa has blossomed into a thriving business—and a beacon of empowerment, resilience, and community care. For Xiomara, this is only the beginning of a legacy built on passion, purpose, and possibility.

For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.  

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His professional and personal experiences served as the inspiration for the formation of the nonprofit, the Georgia Higher Arts and Technology Training Institute. It’s a space where community members in Fulton County, Georgia, can come together to learn new skills, build confidence and develop positive relationships. “I had a successful career as an audio-visual (AV) technician,” he said. “Having a specialized skill like AV to fall back on during the ups and downs meant I had a steady stream of income over the years. That’s what we’re trying to do here. We want to expose young people to opportunities to develop a craft so they can have a lucrative career as an employee or entrepreneur.”

Dr. Johnson—who recently received his Doctorate in Christian Counseling—couples the Institute’s career skills curriculum with his other passions: martial arts and counseling. As a Grandmaster in martial arts, he firmly believes in its power to teach self-discipline and resilience. “We have strong men in our organization that love helping kids. Some kids are on the spectrum and I’m so proud to see the progress they’ve made. In fact, one of our members with Autism is close to getting their black belt.” Using the principles he’s learned from being a church Deacon and accredited Christian counselor, Dr. Johnson also mentors young adults who don’t have strong role models in their lives and are looking for guidance.

Bolstered by his faith, Dr. Johnson’s “will” to serve his community was clear, however the “way” to achieve his goals was not. In-person instruction enabled Dr. Johnson and his volunteers to develop enduring relationships with at-risk community members, but that meant that he needed to create a network of spaces where classes could be reliably held. Enter Operation HOPE’s Small Business Coach, Linden Jackson. Mr. Jackson encouraged his long-time friend to join the organization’s eight-week Small Business Development program, which emphasized the importance of developing local partnerships and applying for government contracts. “I don’t meet any strangers,” Dr. Johnson chuckled. “I started going to different events and meeting new people, and when I shared my vision for the Institute, the community showed up.

The Institute has been recognized for its great work in the community—to the tune of $180,000 in county and federal grants. Operation HOPE’s Mr. Jackson assisted Dr. Johnson with the grant application process by introducing him to senior county executives who could share more details about the various grants. For Mr. Jackson the grand opening of Dr. Johnson’s own center in South Fulton was a pride-filled moment. Attended by community leaders, including South Fulton Mayor Khalid Kamau and his staff as well as Atlanta’s leading radio station, V-103, the ribbon cutting was the moment he realized that “we did the work and it paid off well.”

Today, the Institute serves 250 people per week, who fan out across the county to attend classes at senior centers, county recreation centers and church multipurpose rooms, in addition to the organization’s own space in South Fulton. Dr. Johnson has big plans for the future, and it’s the stories of how the Institute is making a difference in people’s lives that keeps him driving forward.

For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.  

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When Jamie Rae Wright heard John Hope Bryant speak at Bishop T.D. Jakes’ International Leadership Conference, she had no idea that moment would become the catalyst for transforming her vision into a multimillion-dollar reality that would change countless lives.

As a domestic violence survivor who had experienced homelessness herself, Jamie understood the desperate need for safe, affordable housing for survivors and their children. In 2020, she founded Jamie R. Wright, LLC with a mission to provide survivor-led awareness, empowerment, and advocacy to underrepresented and historically marginalized communities impacted by domestic violence.

“My dream of building housing for domestic violence survivors stemmed from watching HGTV’s feature of my story of overcoming homelessness on their syndicated TV show House Hunters,” Jamie reflected. After purchasing her own home in Houston, Texas, in 2022, she became “unapologetically passionate” about helping other survivors secure housing as well.

But turning vision into reality required more than passion. It required capital, strategy, and guidance. That’s where Operation HOPE made all the difference.

The Power of Coaching and Community

Jamie’s Operation HOPE Coach, Pamela Sanford, became more than an advisor. She became a strategic partner who refused to let Jamie “play small.” Meeting at least once a week for months, Coach Pamela challenged Jamie with pointed questions: “What goal(s) are you trying to achieve in doing that? How would you sustain this or that? Did you think about this or that?”

“It was Coach Pamela’s guidance that I followed to begin searching for grant funding,” Jamie explained. “Coach Pamela challenged me, encouraged me, provided resources, and would not allow me to play small.”

Through Coach Pamela’s patient, stern, caring, and business-minded approach, Jamie developed the strategies and persistence needed to navigate rejection and pursue her ambitious goals.

Transformational Results

The impact of Jamie’s Operation HOPE experience speaks for itself:

– $4.1 million grant from the State of Oklahoma to build 13 homes for domestic violence survivors

– Additional $250,000 grant to provide financial literacy, homebuying coaching, and other key supportive services for survivors and their children

– A sustainable model that addresses not just housing, but the holistic needs of families rebuilding their lives

“I absolutely could not have achieved the $4.1 million grant and an additional $250,000 grant without Coach Pamela and Operation HOPE,” Jamie stated emphatically.

A Ripple Effect of Hope

Jamie’s success represents so much more than impressive funding figures. It is about breaking cycles and creating pathways to stability for some of society’s most vulnerable families. Each home will provide safety and security for survivors and their children, while the supportive services will equip them with the financial literacy and life skills needed for long-term success. This is a dream come true for Jamie.

“Despite facing numerous rejections, I persevered and was able to secure funding to build my first set of homes for survivors and their children fleeing domestic violence. My HOPE experience is directly responsible for the funding we were awarded.”

The Gratitude Factor

In Jamie’s eyes, the keystone to her journey is her coach: “If it wasn’t for Coach Pamela’s guidance, empowerment, genuine heart to see me win, and the encouragement she gave, helping me to overcome the obstacles and ‘no’s’ I had faced and the strategies she helped me create, the homes we are currently building would not have come to fruition.

Please, Coach Pamela, keep doing what you do—how only you can do it—and for whom you do it. I’m grateful to the Creator of the entire universe for you!”

To learn more about the HOPE Inside Disaster Program and other resources: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on X, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

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“My business is at a tipping point,” said Tafari. “Up until now I’ve been able to use grants to fulfill demand, but to grow my business, I need to explore outside funding options.”

What sounds like a simple problem to solve ended up being anything but. Tafari couldn’t get a straight answer from traditional sources and local organizations about how to raise money without unintentionally diluting her equity. Frustrated, she turned to Google to find organizations that could help small businesses. That’s how she stumbled upon Operation HOPE.

“I knew I had found the right place when I read John Hope Bryant’s thoughts on being mission-driven, and using your gifts to build wealth for the next generation,” said Tafari. “That resonated with me because I’ve intentionally built my business around benefiting underserved communities in my home city of Detroit. It’s also a way to give my teenage son a lasting legacy and to honor my Jamaican parents, who sacrificed a lot when they left Jamaica to come to the U.S.”

Tafari discussed her funding impasse with local Operation HOPE financial wellbeing coach Brooke Ratliff. Armed with Brooke’s knowledge and the organization’s resources, Tafari is now having conversations with angel investors, CDFIs, and even the casting producers at Shark Tank to find optimal ways to grow her business. At Brooke’s urging, she’s also in the process of enhancing loan applications and investor presentations with advanced analytics like financial modeling and projections to better tell her growth story.

Scaling-up will give Tafari the opportunity to meet the social entrepreneurship goals she has for her business, including hiring more local employees. Tafari’s ultimate goal is to “get it in the hands of people who have hands,” distributing soapsheets around the globe, including to underdeveloped countries to aid sanitation practices and help communities there reduce illness transmission.

Tafari gives Brooke all the credit in helping her learn about different funding options to grow her business. “She was the pivotal point at this stage of my entrepreneurial journey; the linchpin. I’d go so far as to say that she’s the G.O.A.T,” Tafari added with a laugh.

***

For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on Twitter,

Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

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And with the right support system — like Operation HOPE — you can build, scale, and soar.”

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Through Operation HOPE’s Small Business Development Program, in partnership with the 1MBB initiative, and one-on-one mentorship with Coach Angelic Mister, Jeffery worked for six months to prepare himself for a business loan. He first worked on a plan with Coach Angelic to improve his credit score, which he moved from 633 to 686. He then worked on his business plan, and, in January of this year, he was approved for a loan of $25,000 from First Horizon Bank.

He recently shared how his vision will impact the community of Memphis:

“Thanks to the incredible support of Operation HOPE’s Angelic Mister and First Horizon Bank, Memphis Basketball Trainers have secured a $25,000 loan that will propel our mission forward. This partnership empowers small businesses like ours to make a lasting impact on youth development. With this support, we’ll continue equipping young athletes with the skills, confidence, and character needed to excel both on and off the court. We’re deeply grateful for their belief in our vision!”

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Through the Jacksonville start-up community, Sierra was introduced to Liz Joiner, a Small Business Coach at Operation HOPE and promptly joined the organization’s Small Business Development Program and 1MBB initiative to grow Maverick Media.

“I love the aspect of it being a workshop,” said Sierra about Operation HOPE’s program for entrepreneurs. “I look forward to it every week and taking my notes, and also learning the proper way to structure my business because everything I had learned with KK Compliments was kind of like trial and error,” she said. Sierra also credits Liz with why she graduated the program. “Liz was very relatable and genuine, always encouraging me to reach out if I ever had any questions,” she said.

In true form, Sierra took the learnings from the Small Business Development Program and not only applied them to her business, but used them to guide her clients as well.

“I was aware of a SWOT analysis (analyzing the venture’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) from a prior workshop, but going in-depth on it during this program really just resonated with me, and it’s something that I’m still recommending to every client of mine,” she said.

For Sierra, it adds immense value to the client relationship to help them think “bigger picture” through SWOT analysis and other frameworks. “I like to know more about what their business is—their mission and story that they’re trying to portray because visually I got to portray that story as well for them,” she explained.

Sierra implores people to be open to change and evolve: “You don’t have to be stuck in a box, you can do whatever,” she said. By way of a recent example, she pointed to joining YouTube and figuring out editing styles along the way as she produces content. “I’m actually doing the things that I wanted to do. I’ve never thought that it was possible. It’s just like, okay, I’m in it and I’m actually doing it. I’m getting paid to travel, to go places that I’ve never been, experience different things, and also doing what I love, which is creating memories for others.”

Sierra is a true example of how adopting a learning mindset—and leveraging available resources—can grow your business in sometimes unexpected ways.

For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.  

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Have you ever dreamed of turning your side hustle into a full-time business? Since its founding, Operation HOPE has guided individuals through the process of making this transition. We’ve learned that proficiency in their passion project will only get entrepreneurs so far—to reach their potential, they must learn how to run a business.

This is the situation that Nashville, Tennessee-based entrepreneur, Denise Wells, found herself in. Denise honed her skills in graphic design and photography as a full-time employee while working on freelance projects during nights and weekends. Denise enjoyed the control and freedom that came with freelance work, so in 2023 decided to take the plunge and convert her side hustle into a full-time business. She quickly learned that running her own business demanded more of her time on tasks that were unrelated to design and sought help from an entrepreneurship course offered by Operation HOPE in partnership with a small business incubator in Nashville. 

Operation HOPE Small Business Coach and Advisor for the course, Ronald Harvey, became Denise’s mentor on her entrepreneurship journey. After meeting with Ronald, it became clear to Denise that she needed to network to grow her business. “I’m an introvert by nature so networking is hard for me,” she acknowledged. “I was holding myself back because I didn’t feel that I could confidently say that I’m the best at what I can do. Since then, I have learned that, like many women, I was experiencing imposter syndrome.” Ronald nudged Denise to change her mindset and put herself out there—and she rose to the challenge. “Having to be accountable to Ronald kept me grounded. I’ve always loved talking to people, but how to offer my services without feeling salesy was definitely a mental hurdle I had to learn to overcome,” she said. 

Another practical consideration for entrepreneurs is whether they’ll be able to replace the income that their employee job provided—“running the numbers” is something that can be easily overlooked in the excitement of becoming your own boss. In Denise’s case, she sat down with 

Ronald and together they imagined different scenarios to build her new business that would enable her to replace her full-time employee income. Denise and Ronald also combed through her personal finances to find areas where she could save to provide an additional buffer if the business wasn’t ramping up as fast as she planned. Additionally, a discussion on credit gave her insights into how to use credit cards strategically to help manage her monthly expenses. 

As she approaches her one-year anniversary as a business owner, she believes that her success comes down to mindset and discipline. “Every morning, I make a point to get dressed and start my working hours at a specific time, even if it’s just a day where I’ll be at home by myself.” This daily habit gives her the confidence to continue developing new business relationships while excelling at the new projects she secures. Now in her second year as an entrepreneur, Ronald and Denise are creating a plan for how she can enhance her services to attract higher-paying clients. 

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Aneshai Smith, founder of GO See The City in Tampa, FL, found all these qualities in her HOPE Small Business Coach, David Daly, when she began working with him in 2020. What Aneshai appreciated most about David was his ability to “think bigger” about the potential of her business, even when she felt ambivalent about it in the beginning. 

“When I first met David, I struggled with the skills and experience required to grow from a solo founder into a full-time entrepreneur with a team.” Aneshai shared, “He pushed me to grasp how to make it happen and reminded me that the opportunities available now won’t last forever,” referencing a time when women- and Black- and Brown-owned businesses were at the forefront of national consciousness. 

Aneshai initially connected with Operation HOPE while working on another business, Grand Openings, which focused on connecting nearby residents with grand opening events. During the pandemic, she pivoted her business model to support local Orlando restaurants struggling with low foot traffic. With encouragement from David, she launched themed food tours to help these restaurants attract more customers. 

Tours such as the “12 Days of Christmas,” “Black-Owned Restaurant” food tour, and “Woman-Owned Restaurant” food tour offered discounted coupons to Grand Openings subscribers. These campaigns successfully increased foot traffic for participating restaurants. 

As David anticipated, her efforts went viral, earning Aneshai multiple news interviews. The email campaign promoting the food tours was titled “GO See The City,” a phrase that resonated deeply with her. During the pandemic, she was dedicated to spotlighting local restaurants that 

remained open, adhered to social distancing measures, and urgently needed community support to stay afloat. “David encouraged me every step of the way,” she said. 

What Aneshai didn’t realize at the time was that this phrase ‘GO See The City’, would later become the name of her tech company. Aneshai had created a private company solution to a major problem of our times: food waste. According to Feeding America, 92 billion pounds of food is wasted annually and 38% of all food goes unsold or uneaten. 

After the success of the promotional campaigns, Aneshai was contacted by a government accelerator that had heard about her impactful work with restaurants during the pandemic. They wanted to see if she could assist the city with its food waste issues, paving the way for the next chapter in her entrepreneurial journey. 

“David challenged me to think beyond a simple one-time concept and encouraged me to see the bigger picture and opportunity of what GO See The City could be. Frankly, he helped me grow into my role as a full-time entrepreneur,” Aneshai said. 

Some of the key milestones David helped Aneshai focus on included developing a strategic plan, creating a go-to-market strategy, and paying herself a salary—transforming her entrepreneurial mindset in the process. 

In May 2023, Aneshai launched GO See The City after winning a competition from QBE AcceliCITY. It’s one of the Top 5 GovTech accelerators in the world and this recognition was a significant milestone for her business. GO See The City became a food waste reduction company that partners with eateries—such as restaurants, stadiums, festivals, and food trucks—to address food waste in two impactful ways: redirecting surplus food to nonprofits or selling it at a discount to customers before closing time. 

The company has expanded operations to three states, employs seven staff members, and has secured a prestigious spot in Techstars Tulsa. Techstars is a leading pre-seed venture capital firm that invests in a global pool of entrepreneurs and high-growth companies. It’s considered the world’s most active pre-seed investor. The accelerator provided a $120,000 investment to support GO See The City’s growth. 

For Aneshai, the experience is particularly meaningful as an African-American entrepreneur. Tulsa is historically significant as the site of “Black Wall Street,” a thriving Black business community in the 1920s that was tragically destroyed during the Tulsa Race Massacre. Her work and presence in Tulsa carry an added layer of pride and purpose. 

True to form, Aneshai continues to channel David’s advice and shoot for the stars by seizing and maximizing every opportunity. And when she needs inspiration or motivation, she knows just where to turn. “Anytime I call, David is always there to offer a pep talk,” she laughed. 

The post Operation HOPE Helps This Entrepreneur “Think Bigger” appeared first on Operation HOPE.

“Who cares for the caregiver?” is a question that Dawnita found herself pondering. Armed with a certification in caregiving consulting, she was eager to make a meaningful difference in other caregivers’ lives based on her experience. But where to start?  

Through a friend, Dionne Waldron-McNeal, she was introduced to Operation HOPE’s Small Business Program. For eight weeks, Dawnita learned the ins and outs of being an entrepreneur; from incorporating a business to finding customers.  

Initially, Dawnita was planning to offer individual coaching, but as the weeks went on in the class, she realized she could have a greater impact by offering resources and support for the wider caregiving community.  

“When I first started, my business was in the very early ‘idea’ phase. Going through the process of writing a business plan and presenting it to my class and my HOPE coach for feedback helped me to focus on what I wanted to do,” she said.  

Coincidentally, her Operation HOPE coach, Tracy Evans, was also her mom’s caregiver, so the two had an instant rapport because of this shared experience. Dawnita also found it valuable to network with other members of the class – in fact one of the program’s graduates designed her website. “This program was a great start to launching my business,” Dawnita said.  

The focus for Dawnita’s business, Hey Caregiver!, is to cherish, champion and celebrate caregivers, and she’s guided by a self-created expression: “Selfullness is taking care of you so you can better take care of your caree! It’s that sweet spot between selfish and selfless.” Today her brand encompasses merchandise, a podcast, speaking opportunities and a support group for Black daughters caring for their parents called The Binti Circle, which has seen membership climb from nine to 190 members in her first three years. Dawnita’s clothing line, for example, was designed so that she and other caregivers can “wear their role proudly and stylishly.” 

In addition to caring for both parents now and running her business, Dawnita finds the time to give back to the caregiving community in other impactful ways. She serves on the Memory & Aging Community Advisory Board (MACAB), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Expanded Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) Model Technical Expert Panel (TEP) and is a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) student at  Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where her research will focus on “Designing Culturally Responsive Interventions, Policies, and Practices for Black Daughter Caregivers. In July 2024, she was appointed by Governor Wes Moore to serve on the Maryland Commission on Caregiving.  

“From the Peace Corps to now, everything I have done is divine, she said. “It’s a calling. I’ve been called to do this.”  

For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.   

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