Small Business Development
From the Mower to the Manager’s Chair: Scaling a 41-Year Landscaping Legacy
April 7, 2026Gregory is no stranger to hard work. With over 41 years of experience in the lawn care industry, he has spent decades perfecting the art of landscaping. In 2012, he …
How This Entrepreneur Turned a Product Idea into a Scalable Enterprise
March 17, 2026Written by guest contributor Kiva Akoto, Small Business Development Coach in Memphis, TN Bobby Lockhart enrolled in coaching with me, Kiva Akoto, Small Business Development Coach at Operation HOPE in …
From Passion to Proof: Turning Vision into Capital with HOPE’s Help
March 4, 2026When Jenny received a grant to launch a for-profit venture connected to her nonprofit work, she did what many founders do—she moved fast. “I got a grant to do it …
FOUR LESSONS FOR ENTREPRENEURS AT A CROSSROADS
October 21, 2025Sherrie Savage’s entrepreneurial journey began with a simple idea: a self-published coloring book. As an illustrator, she sought a unique way to promote her work beyond social media and found …
Operation HOPE Fuels These Food Truck Entrepreneurs
July 1, 2025Securing a loan can be a major obstacle for entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their business, and that’s where Operation HOPE often steps in to assist. That’s the situation …
Operation HOPE Helps a Michigan Entrepreneur Solve the Puzzle of Scaling Up
May 23, 2025Lisa Schilthius is the classic innovator-type of person our small business coaches at Operation HOPE get to work with every day. With years of experience in their “day job,” they …
Arnika’s Loaded Juice Gets the Green Light to Grow!
May 1, 2024Arnika Carter is passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles and empowering people to fall in love with the journey. That’s partially what inspired her to launch her company, Loaded Juice, in …
A Haircut that Led to HOPE
March 1, 2024Claire Broderick has been self-employed for over two decades, so the struggles and rewards of entrepreneurship are nothing new to her. But no amount of experience could have prepared her …
Sweet Legacy: The Mom + Daughter Duo Behind Kayla’s Italian Ice
February 19, 2024written by: Y. Theresa Bostic Every mother carries a vision, a hope that her children will grow to be strong, dynamic individuals who will leave an indelible mark upon the …
Augustus Finds New Confidence with His Coach and Community
February 3, 2024HOPE small business coaches do more than lay the foundation of business for new entrepreprenuers. They also serve as a catalyst for confidence and building community for existing ones. Augustus …