Saturday, April 27, 2024

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Graduates share plans for businesses in Demopolis

Jan McDonald , , ,

Graduates of the second Co.Starters class stood before friends and family Friday night to share the vision for their futures. After 10 weeks of training, they are venturing to start or grow their own businesses, enterprises that range from online tutoring for special needs students to a high-end recruiting service, from custom apparel to “Memories on the Go” souvenir buttons.

Graduates and RBTC board members are, from left, Evelyn Smith, Sharonda Miller, Dr. Aliquippa Allen, Lynn Foster, Sid Rowser Jr., Charlene Rowser, Dr. Karen Braxton, LaShandra Cottrell, Barbara Raymond and Anita Evans.

“To have a vibrant community that is moving forward, you’ve got to have a vibrant business community,” Mayor Woody Collins told the graduates. “You’re the future. You’re the next generation.”

Co.Starters is sponsored by the Rural Business and Training Center (RBTC), the brainchild of Dr. Aliquippa Allen who found “18 daring individuals” to share her vision and serve on the board, she told the group. It officially was incorporated as a non-profit on July 10, 2020.

An entrepreneur, said Jose Alfaro, CEO of Co.Starters, is “someone who has a crazy idea to help his community.” Speaking at the event by ZOOM, Alfaro said Co.Starters began by looking for an easier way to get information to those who want to start a business other than the often confusing courses usually presented.

Sid Rowser Jr., vice chairman of RBTC, congratulates his mother, Charlene, on completing the Co.Starters business training course.

But he stressed the most important part of the training was “having that interaction with your peers.” Graduation, he said, doesn’t mean stopping those relationships.

“You can’t do it alone,” he told graduates. “You make (Demopolis) unique. If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

RBTC Board member Karen Braxton said the organization “is creating a new path” through training and resources. The success of the graduates “helps not only Demopolis but it helps the surrounding counties as well.”

RBTC serves all the counties in the Black Belt. The non-profit relies on grants, donations and in-kind services to operate. The next Co.Starters program runs from Sept. 12 through Nov. 14 at a cost $250.

Graduates receiving certificates Friday were LaShandra Cottrell, Anita Evans, Lynn Foster, Sharonda Miller, Charlene Rowser and Evelyn Smith. Unable to attend were Jonathan Marshall and Rhonda Watters.