Comcast RISE competition helps 100 small businesses in Memphis

Jordan Green, Memphis Commercial Appeal
·2 min read
Display of merchandise in ARCHd storefront at 65 Monroe Ave.
Display of merchandise in ARCHd storefront at 65 Monroe Ave.

Comcast RISE announced the winners for the August 2023 awards. Comcast RISE is committed to supporting small businesses. The program was built to help businesses and communities focus on economic growth. It was created in 2020 to help small businesses that were struggling because of COVID-19.

In the August 2023 selection, there were 100 from Memphis. Of these, there were 85 in Memphis, seven in Cordova, three in Germantown, two in Collierville, one in Bartlett, one in Lakeland, and one in Millington.

One of the local winners was ARCHd. The sister-duo started their business back in 2014 at the Cooper Young Festival.

Lindsey Archer, one of the owners, said, "It felt like the perfect time for us to get this. We just opened the physical store Downtown, and now we really get to have fun with it."

Owners and sisters Kristen and Lindsey Archer in ARCHd storefront at 65 Monroe Ave.
Owners and sisters Kristen and Lindsey Archer in ARCHd storefront at 65 Monroe Ave.

Comcast RISE winners are recipients of comprehensive grant packages. These packages include:

  • Business consultation services: There will be an assessment of the business along with coaching and mentorship on how to grow the business.

  • Educational resources: Each company will have content and resources tailored to its needs based on how experienced it is.

  • A $5,000 grant: The grant is given to invest in growth and sustainability.

  • Creative production & Media schedule: A 30-second TV commercial, a media strategy consultation, and an 180-day media schedule.

  • Technology makeover: There will be an upgrade on computer equipment and internet along with cybersecurity services for 12 months.

Archer said that the comprehensive grant packages are rolled out on a month to month basis. Recipients are able to adapt and implement the changes with the packages and adjust to them before the next step.

Display of merchandise in ARCHd storefront at 65 Monroe Ave.
Display of merchandise in ARCHd storefront at 65 Monroe Ave.

Recipients are among 13,500 entrepreneurs nation wide and more than 200 small businesses in Memphis who have been selected in the Comcast RISE program to date.

The most recent recipients were selected from Baltimore, Detroit, Memphis, Philadelphia, and Portland, Oregon, with 100 businesses selected from each for a grand total of 500 winners.

Jordan Green covers trending business news for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached via email Jordan.Green@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @_green_jordan_

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: How Comcast RISE is helping Memphis small businesses