Entrepreneurial Success Stories

Barista on a Mission

Camellia Edwards

A job becomes more than just a job when you approach it as a mission. For Barista Camellia Edwards, her mission is adding a little extra love to everything she does. Cam's mission made an impression on a customer one day who chose to give Overflow another try after previously deciding it wasn't a good fit. But after meeting and connecting with Cam, she kept coming back. She came back on busy mornings before work and let Cam brighten her day with a smile and some caffeine to keep her going. She came back after her mother died and let Cam be a bright spot during the dark season of grief. And she came back after the holidays to thank Cam with a hug and a gift. Cam was moved to tears by the lovely wrapped present and had to be talked into opening it, only to find herself shaken at the sight of two crisp, new 100 dollar bills and a handwritten thank you card. "Thank you for being such an incredible person and for being such a bright and shiny light."

Cam took her customer service to the next level. It was about more than just doing her job, it was about intentionally doing good, and it made a difference. That's the Overflow difference--and it came with an exceptional cup of coffee.

Black History Month 2018

African Americans in Times of War

Black History Month, initiated by Carter G. Woodson as Negro History Week in 1926, was federally recognized by President Gerald Ford in 1976 and has been designated by every American president since as Black History Month and endorsed with a specific theme. It is observed in February to honor the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and President Abraham Lincoln, who were important in black American history. February is also significant for February 3, 1870 when black men were granted the right to vote by the passing of the 15th Amendment.

The theme for Black History Month 2018 is, "African Americans in Times of War." It marks the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I and honors the role of black men and women who served their country in the armed forces, especially those who paid the ultimate price and gave their lives in the fight for freedom and democracy. Freedom and democracy that didn't even fully apply to them, yet they fought valiantly for it and even died for it.

During World War II, more than 2.5 million black men registered for the draft and one million served as draftees or volunteers in every branch of the armed forces. Most were assigned to segregated combat groups. Perhaps most well-known, the legendary Tuskegee Airmen, received a Distinguished Unit Citation, several silver stars, 150 distinguished flying crosses, fourteen bronze stars, and 744 air medals for their heroic feats.

At the end of World War II, recognition of the African-American contribution to the war effort would eventually lay the groundwork for the civil rights protests of the 1950s and 1960s.

In Partnership: Curriculum Collaboration

The Male Mogul Inititative

The Male Mogul Initiative, led by former NFL football player Walter Mendenhall, in partnership with Entrenuity, completed its second cohort with high school students from the Austin Community, located on the Westside of Chicago, using the StartingUp Now curriculum. Students gained practical and applicable knowledge about business creation that can lead to success and productivity in their businesses, schools, and community. We accomplished our task by helping students develop and enhance their personal philosophy of leadership that included an understanding of self, groups and how they can be positive change agents in their communities. Students had a chance to visit Northwestern’s Kellogg Business School and present their business plans at the conclusion of the six-week program. The Male Mogul Initiative was rated After Schools Matters' highest rated summer program for the summer of 2017.

Returning Citizens

Lead to Change via Entrepreneurship

Having a voice is a powerful tool to tell your own story. In many instances, those who are on the “receiving” side rarely, if ever, have opportunity to speak of the challenges they’ve overcome. Most people like control—but that’s especially true of entrepreneurs! Whether they enter entrepreneurship through job loss, relocation, or just the interest in launching something new, most entrepreneurs want to have control over their own decisions. But what happens when the control doesn’t exist? What about when options are limited because of past decisions you’ve made and the consequences impact you for a lifetime? This is the challenge many Returning Citizens seeking to gain a foothold in society experience on a daily basis. I believe most people would lack the perseverance for the struggle, even without the stigma of being incarcerated. I’m reminded of Jesus’ instruction to his disciples when they questioned his treatment of the most vulnerable, those who were cast out, those who had no voice, those who society had rejected, Jesus reminded them, “…whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me (Matt 25.45).” Creating entrepreneurial opportunities with men and women returning from incarceration is not about what we can do for them necessarily. It’s about accepting them into society and allowing them to earn opportunities—to have a voice and some choices, just as others who are on the entrepreneurial journey want for themselves. Join me in listening to Kelvin, Mica and Afolabi tell their story about entrepreneurship as a pathway to being heard, accepted and a way to give back to society. Feel free to comment and share.

>>>Click Here to Watch Video

Entrepreneur Update: Esther Renee Shirk

Esther Renee Jewelry

Aspiring entrepreneur and jewelry designer, Esther Renee Shirk, stepped into a fine jewelry store to purchase a silver polishing cloth for her business and walked out with a job. When the manager learned that Esther had a small jewelry design business, she hired her part-time as a seasonal employee for the holidays. After the holidays, Esther was asked to continue working and before long was offered a full-time position as an Apprentice in their jewelry repair department. Though the job would take time away from her own business, Esther saw an opportunity to learn and couldn't turn it down.

Since then, Esther has been increasing her design and repair skills, learning the ins and outs of running a shop and the back-office work involved, as well as growing the vision for her own business beyond beads and wire, to precious metals and gemstones.

Esther continues to sell her own designs on Etsy, as well as at craft fairs and street markets. In addition, her hand-crafted jewelry can be found at Flying High and Volumes Bookcafe--two local Chicago merchants.

mox.E Women Update

Sheila Fortson | Sounds of Poetry

Mox.E Women entrepreneur and musician, Sheila Fortson, performed before a sold-out crowd at City Point Loft on Friday evening, July 7th. Sheila and Spoken Word Artist, Maya, combine the sultry sounds of poetry and violin to tell stories about life, love, loss and rebirth, the "Love Evolution" of our lives. They are Sounds of Poetry--inspired by early R&B legends and current artists of this millenium, as well as great poets from every decade. Maya draws inspiration in her writings from her own life circumstances, friends, family and the world around her. Sheila pulls sounds from classical, soul, R&B and her own inspirations, finding her own "voice" in the way the words and music sing into her soul on the strings. Sounds of Poetry cultivated their silky-smooth sound after finding their own voice in poetry and violin in their hometown of Chicago. To learn more, check out their website.

Success STORIES