Startups selected for fall Entrepreneur-in-Residence Program
A virtual bookkeeping service and an education startup are the latest businesses to be selected for the Entrepreneur-in Residence Program hosted by the Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development and the 1701 coworking space.
Heritage Business Services founder Kate Johnson said the program and the coworking space bring an incalculable value to her professional growth.
“Everyone there is there because they are trying to work and build a business, so I’m just really appreciative of the community,” Johnson said.
Johnson began her bookkeeping business to find the flexibility to help others and be a mother at the same time. She wants to help other entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses by taking a lead on their finances, freeing up time for them to focus on sales and serving customers.
Meghan Raftery is a freelance educator and designs educational curricula for home schools and nonprofits. She’s helped create courses for topics like social justice and special education. Now, she wants to help others do the same through her new business.
“The idea is to basically create a virtual incubator for teachers who are interested in starting either their own side businesses or leaving traditional classrooms altogether to do something else,” Raftery said.
Johnson said she’s excited to receive mentoring and coaching from the 1701 founders and develop connections with the small business community. Raftery would like to link up with other entrepreneurs who are experienced in web design, social media and accounting.
Ray White, business development coordinator with Virginia Beach economic development, said in a news release that the program is a platform for local entrepreneurs to prosper.
The program gives startups three free months of office space at 1701, access to mentorship opportunities and events at the coworking space.
The application deadline for the next round is Nov. 27. To apply, visit 1701VB.com/eir.
Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345, trevor.metcalfe@insidebiz.com
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