Celebrating Entrepreneurship

The Rotary Club of Temple, the Rotary Club of Temple-South, Temple College, and the Temple Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated the completion of the first cohort of Launch Temple. 13 aspiring entrepreneurs graduated from the 10-week program on June 7, 2022.
 
Launch Temple is part of the LaunchMyCity family of programs, modeled after LaunchDETROIT (Michigan) and LaunchRALEIGH (North Carolina).
 
LaunchMyCity is a program of Rotary International, the community service and global humanitarian organization located in over 200 countries. The program strives to develop successful entrepreneurs by expanding access to comprehensive business training and financial and business resources.
 
Launch Temple is a collaborative effort between the two Temple Rotary Clubs, Temple College and the Temple Chamber of Commerce, which provides training, mentorship, and networking to cultivate local entrepreneurs.
 
The program is offered at no cost to qualified applicants and held at Temple College. The curriculum is through LaunchMyCity, with Temple College staff, Rotary Members, and business community volunteers providing instruction.
 
The program has eight training sessions with topics including Business Models, Market Research, Funding, Legal Strategy, Marketing and Branding, and more. The participants are also matched with a Mentor to help them navigate the journey of an entrepreneur.
 
Some of the program participants did so to strengthen an existing business. Others participated to gain a great foundation to start their business on the right foot.
 
The Temple Chamber of Commerce, through a grant, can provide a one-year Chamber membership to the Launch Temple participants.
 
Congratulation to the first cohort of Launch Temple graduates, and welcome to the Temple Chamber of Commerce!
 
The 13 Launch Temple Graduates are:

• Tita Charleston
  • TLC Fantasies, Total Elegance Creations Event and Rental Center
    
    
• Cassi Coates
  
  
• Doree Collins
  • Cultiate Events and Enrichment
    
    
• Marcos Gomez
  • Infinite Entertainment
    
    
• Searra Hollie
  • SOULyOrganic
    
    
• Mark Jones
  • MES FITT
    
    
• Mary Jacq (MJ) Kirchhoff
  • Arthur Murray Dance Center of Temple
    
    
• Tanya Roper
  • Hilltop Recovery Ministries
    
    
• Paulette Sanders
  • Hifi Beauty Bar
    
    
• Erik Sivertsen
  • MexiPlant - Plant-based Mexican food
    
    
• Garry Smith
  • Mist of Eden Sanitizing
    
    
• David Stone
  • Our Town Temple
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• Dava Villafranca
  • Villabella Memorial Cremation Gardens