OneSpartanburg, Inc., launches Power Up so 'smaller businesses aren't left behind'

After working for 10 years in human resource departments of larger companies where there are rules and limitations on how much she could help people, Jasmine Herbert of Spartanburg decided to start her own career coaching and consulting business in 2019.

She knew that starting up a small and minority-owned business wouldn't be easy.

But through OneSpartanburg, Inc., she launched The Employee Handbook, Career & Workforce Solutions, and has helped hundreds of clients connect to better jobs.

"I really wanted to make our people have an outlet to utilize the resources and recognize their needs," she said. "When it comes to maximizing career potential, I don't believe there is a 'one size fits all' approach."

That same approach is embodied in the new five-year Power Up Spartanburg initiative launched Tuesday by OneSpartanburg, Inc., at The Inman Roadhouse restaurant in Inman.

Power Up seeks to connect financial resources and physical space to small and minority business startups.

"Thirty percent," said Allen Smith, president and CEO of OneSpartanburg, Inc. "That's how far behind the national average Spartanburg lagged in the number of Black-owned businesses. And that is not good enough. We do better in Spartanburg."

Funded by a $6 million American Rescue Plan Act grant through Spartanburg County, Power Up will provide startups with loans and grants, help find business locations, and provide access to large employers through networking.

Spartanburg County Council members Abusaft, Coker help launch initiative

"Simply put, we want Spartanburg County to be one of the best places in the entire country to be a small business owner or entrepreneur," said Spartanburg County Councilman Monier Abusaft, who helped launch the initiative with Councilwoman Jessica Coker.

"Our county has a long history of success when it comes to large investments and international companies," Abusaft said. "But with Power Up Spartanburg, we want to make sure smaller businesses aren't left behind.

Coker said many small business startups understand that there are resources available to them, but it isn't always easy to connect with the right ones.

"This isn't a way to hand a business owner a check and say, 'See you later, have a nice day,'" she said. "This is about support in multiple areas."

Spartanburg County program to help start, sustain, grow small, minority businesses

Heading up the effort for OneSpartanburg are Jay Jenkins, director of small and minority business development; John Kimbrell, chief business affairs officer; and Gabbi Pruitt, business engagement manager OneSpartanburg. Also, Sheila Snoddy will serve as mentoring program director and Bea Wray as securing contracts director.

Smith said one of the priorities in the chamber's Vision 2.0 plan adopted last year is to help small and minority businesses start and grow businesses.

Specifically, the plan suggests providing the skills that entrepreneurs need to start, sustain and grow a business by offering a resource network to expand access to capital and customers, creating a targeted small business loan fund and musing local marketing firms to get startups off the ground.

"We're going to be very intentional about our networking and make sure it's a value to people that come to these events," Smith said.

Herbert said she has two contractors working for her, and she's looking for a digital support person.

Her goal is to expand her business, refine her model, and eventually branch out into franchising the business.

"This will help expand my vision," she said of Power Up. "It helps to alleviate the stress of not knowing what to do next."

Herbert's advice to others starting their own business: "The best thing to do is, number one, understand your business model, understand the client that you're going to be serving. Don't be afraid to ask for help. We're not meant to do business alone. Business partners are there if you need help."

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: OneSpartanburg program to help start, grow small, minority businesses