How local entrepreneurs are empowered through this Birmingham Business Alliance program

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Did you know that 24 Birmingham entrepreneurs recently got together, with some gaining grants to get their businesses off the ground? 

We got the scoop on the Birmingham Business Alliance’s Fall 2024 Supplier Scale Intensive and how it’s helping local entrepreneurs in their small business pursuits.

About the Birmingham Business Alliance’s Supplier Scale Intensive

An initiative of the Birmingham Business Alliance, Supplier Scale is a 12-week intensive program designed to help entrepreneurs grow their small businesses.

How does it work?

With participants taking part in a curriculum that includes:

• Interactive class sessions
• Peer mentoring groups
• Opportunity to gain experience from local experts in the fields of finance, marketing, procurement, corporate responsibility + more

Birmingham Business Alliance’s Small Business Director Victor Brown curated the Fall 2024 Supplier Scale intensive curriculum upon seeing a need to help small local businesses looking to grow and expand.

Corporate Facilities Management, Inc. Principal Jeremy Spratling and Jason Burroughs of C&B Transportation | Sky Blue Logistics also helped lead the program.

To be considered for the program, applicants must meet these requirements:

• Have a privately-owned company headquartered in Birmingham/Jefferson County
• Employ 2 to 10 people and/or generate between $100,000 and $1M in annual revenue 
• Attend a 12-week intensive course and complete mandatory assignments + program surveys as required

Wondering which local experts provided leading instruction to program participants? The list is mighty, but here are a few to note:

• Brasfield & Gorrie CEO Jim Gorrie
• CModel Data Inc. CEO and Co-Founder Teasha Cable
• Gener8tor Program Manager Amanda Williams 
• Regions Bank Senior Vice President of Community Engagement Gian Sian
• Samford University Business Instructor Kathryn Boyd

Meet the graduates of the Birmingham Business Alliance’s Fall 2024 Supplier Scale Intensive

Now, onto the most exciting part—the 24 local entrepreneurs participated to help their Birmingham-area business shine. We’re almost positive you’ll recognize many several on this list:

• Cassie Burchell – Red Mountain Branding | Alphagraphics 
• Cedric Debardlabon – House of Labon 
• Dawn Stone—The Conflict Chick 
• Dennis Echoles—Amber’s Desserts
• Derrick Gooden—Gooden Inspection Services
• Eddie Hill—Eddie Hill Consulting 
• Fred Jones—Publish Me Now University 
• Ivory LeShore—Ivory LeShore’s Gourmet Bread Pudding and Cheesecake
• Jennifer Campbell—MedsPlus Consulting 
• Katrina Porter – Katrina Porter Designs 
• Kim Lee – Forge  
• LaTandra Blue—Blue Vision Center
• Mike Montenegro—Farmers Insurance
• Monique Johnson—Cleen Lyfe Health and Wellness
• Ryan Graham—RamLea Partners
• Shaneka Prowell—Heavenlee Décor and Designs
• Tameka Wren—Let’s Ascend
• Toni Griffin—The Cookie Plug
• Devin Gary—DG & Associates
• Kimberly Yarborough—Business to be announced.
• Keith Mitchell—Alphagraphics
• Kiera Horton—Jumpshot Recruit
• Craig Lane—Expert Vending Services
• Margie George—Fastsigns

“We are proud of the graduates of our Supplier Scale 12-Week Intensive! The intensive was designed to accelerate the learnings, with a focus on completing plans in three months, with a goal of increasing the number of companies with $500,000 or more in revenues. These businesses are now in a greater position to create jobs and build wealth for the founder, the company’s employees and their families.

The BBA will continue to work with the alumni of the intensive through continued coaching and 1:1 consultations. The continued relationship that the graduates maintain with BBA will assist them with making connections to business relationships that can support their growth.”

Victor Brown, Small Business Director, Birmingham Business Alliance

“These small businesses represent the backbone of our community. Their work spans across sectors, and their efforts undeniably impact improving our local economy. We commend their dedication and are proud that they call the Greater Birmingham Region home.”

Steve Ammons, President + CEO, Birmingham Business Alliance

Innovation Grants to Birmingham small businesses

During the Supplier Scale graduation on November 21, cohorts from the 12-week intensive and the BBA’s TeamUP program received Innovation Grants from Innovate Alabama, the Birmingham Business Alliance and participating service providers. 

Some of the grant winners include:

• C&B Transportation—Jason Burroughs
• Twice As Nice Water Ice—Corey Bishop
• Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn—Tanesha Sims-Summers
• Latino News —Vanessa Vargas + Juan Mena
• Bridge + Root | Fashion Haus—Aisha Taylor
• Eugene’s Hot Chicken—Rachel Carney

What do Supplier Scale graduates have to say about the 12-week intensive in Birmingham?

Local entrepreneurs who took part in the Suppler Scale Intensive were told they’d leave the program having accomplished these things:

• Learning to work on their business, not just in their business
• Becoming engaged with members of the Inclusive Procurement Council, who are looking to connect with small businesses in Jefferson County
• Connecting with CEO mentors who have walked in their shoes
• Learning from a community of like-minded peers and local experts
• Development of a 3-year growth plan

Did the program hit all its goals? Here’s what these Fall 2024 Supplier Scale graduates had to say about their experience:

“I was energized by the passion of individuals starting and scaling businesses despite the challenges of inflation and economic uncertainty. The program provided not only inspiration but also access to an incredible network of mentors who offered invaluable guidance on navigating the complexities of building and scaling a business.

It’s empowering to know that with the right support and resources, the possibilities for success are endless.”

Katrina Porter, Katrina Porter Designs, LLC

“This program has allowed my business to be in a community with other businesses which has created greater potential through our connection.”

Dennis Echoles, Founder & CEO, Amber’s Desserts

“Overall, the key lessons that I learned were about setting up my entity on a foundation, thus creating and building a more legacy secure business. From financial knowledge to social responsibility, I feel confident I am more knowledgeable as a business owner.”

Ryan Graham, Co-Founder & Partner, RamLea Partners 

Interested in learning more about the Birmingham Business Alliance’s many programs designed to help small businesses thrive? Visit their website and follow them on Facebook, Instagram + LinkedIn.

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