Success Stories

All Washed Up

The idea for opening up a laundromat came during college when Shantae received a rejection letter from the Department of Human Services, citing a criminal past as a reason not to hire her. Discouraged, but then inspired to not let her past stand in the way of her future, Shantae decided “I’m going to have to have my own business so I can hire myself!” She knew that two essential steps to opening her own business were writing a business plan and securing funding. She was referred to Neighborhood Development Center, where she successfully completed the Microentrepreneur Training program in the spring of 2008, with a solid business plan that would lay the groundwork for All Washed Up. What she hadn’t expected, however, was the financial assistance that would come from this relationship.

D'Flye Entertainment

Emancipated from her family at the age of 15, and now a single mother of three, De’Monica Flye knows all too well the reality of facing and overcoming obstacles. A strong character gifted with talent, De’Monica used the challenges she faced to fuel her passion for performing and turned it into a business: D’Flye Entertainment. Within D’Flye Entertainment De’Monica acts as both a performer and a producer. Her two bands, Hi-Definition and the newly formed Another Level, perform R&B, Jazz, and Blues throughout the Twin Cities. Her production company, D-Flye Productions, books local and regional talent and hosts old school R&B and steppers nights at Arnellia’s in Saint Paul, as well as the occasional fashion show. De’Monica recently signed with Thompson Management and will be recording a new album at Waterbury Studios in Minneapolis.

La Loma Tamales

Noelia and Enrique Garcia moved to the United States in 1993, right after getting married in their hometown Quebrantadero, deep in the heart of Mexico. They brought with them a dream and a recipe: a dream to create a new future for themselves in a country filled with possibilities, and a recipe passed down to Noelia from her mother Felipa Vazquez, who made and sold tamales to support her family of eight children.

Manny's Tortas

28 years ago, Manny González moved to Minnesota with two dreams: to learn English, and to own his own restaurant. He realized his first dream quickly. In 1998, he read about an innovative, Latino-organized, NDC-supported project coming to East Lake Street: the Cooperativa Mercado Central. They had space for five food businesses, and Manny saw a chance to realize his second dream. Manny enrolled in NDC’s 16-week entrepreneur training program. From that class he developed a business plan, and as Manny says with a contagious grin “that’s how everything started!”

People Magic®

Rob Chalmers uses magic to show people that things aren’t always what they seem; to challenge perceptions and change attitudes. Rob combines his background in psychology and education with his unique manner of communicating to work with people’s differences and help them better understand each other. He continually leaves audiences inspired, motivated, and full of laughter.

Sonora Grill

Sonora Grill opened in 2011 to high praise from customers and critics alike. A fusion of Spanish and South American cuisine, with influences from the owners’ native Sonora, Mexico, Sonora Grill boasts a 100% scratch kitchen. Everything, from the cilantro aioli to the wiener in the famous Sonora Hot Dog, is prepared from scratch in their Midtown Global Market kitchen. The only exception is the buns, which travel the long distance across the market from the Salty Tart bakery, where they’re made fresh daily.

The Alden Group

Donald Bryant Jr.’s strength lies in recognizing potential, both in business and in people. Three years ago he took a risk, leaving his career as a marketer to create The Alden Group, a Consumer Products Company headquartered on West Broadway in North Minneapolis. In only three years they have expanded from selling their products in 80 stores to 2000 stores today, with a deal in the making to launch a new product onto the shelves of a major drugstore chain with over 7000 stores nationwide.

The District Barber Shop

The District Barber Shop is a 450 square foot four seat - start-up barber shop at 1116 Lowry Avenue North, Minneapolis that allows families to have their hair cuts in one convenient visit. There are many “quick salons” like Cost Cutters, or Fantastic Sams, however, most of these salons only provide the minimum services. These upscale barbers can be inconvenient due to scheduling requirements and cost.

The Edge Coffee House

The Edge Coffee House offers a warm environment that invites you to linger for hours and come back again the next day, complete with comfy couches, an old piano, and walls lined with Ya Ya’s personal eclectic touch. Owner Patricia “Ya Ya” Y wanted it just that way when she bought the coffee shop two years ago (when it was the Artist’s Grind) and turned it into a coffee house.

Ultimate Look

When Dominique Wells was 12 years old, he began cutting hair as a hobby, never imagining it would turn into a career. His aunt, Wendy Lane, had opened a salon on University Avenue in 1992, and Dominique put his hobby to work there. In 2005, when his aunt became too ill, Dominique took over the business, expanding the main floor salon to include a full barber shop in the back.

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