The Boost Pad

A Memorable Event for The Boost Pad! Last Wednesday, our founder Steven Lewis had the incredible opportunity to attend a premier venture capital event in Charlotte, NC! It was a fantastic experience, where Steven engaged with fellow innovators, investors, and entrepreneurs, diving into discussions about the future of venture capital and the importance of diversity in the industry. This event was particularly meaningful as it aligned perfectly with our values at The Boost Pad. Steven was able to connect with leaders from organizations like BLCK VC, which is dedicated to increasing representation and access in venture capital. Through their initiatives like Fund Forward and the Scout Network, BLCK VC is breaking down barriers and empowering Black investors and entrepreneurs to shape a more inclusive future in tech and business. We are thrilled to be part of this movement and look forward to carrying these insights forward in our work, helping diverse founders access the networks and funding they need to succeed. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to innovate and support inclusive entrepreneurship! #TheBoostPad #VentureCapital #DiversityInTech #BLCKVC #InnovationLeadership For more on BLCK VC’s mission, check out blckvc.org

Big cheers to The Boost Pad's very own Dr. Joan Thaxter Randall on a remarkable achievement on achieving an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters (D.Litt) and a Global Fellowship in Leadership Principles and Business! "Sometimes the journey is just as important as the destination," Joan recently shared, reflecting on her dedication and resilience. "I finally achieved something I’ve dreamed of for years, proving it’s never too late to chase your dreams." At The Boost Pad, we’re beyond proud to honor Joan and celebrate the proof of what lifelong learning can do. Joan’s accomplishment reminds us that our leadership team doesn’t just talk about growth; they live it! Her success is a powerful testament to resilience, dedication, and the belief that it’s never too late to achieve your goals. Congratulations, Dr. Joan, from the entire Boost Pad family! We’re inspired by your journey and grateful for the example you set. Here’s to you, proving dreams have no age limit! 🥂 #theBoostPad #NeverTooLate #LifelongLearning #DreamBig #TeamSpotlight

Way to go Dr. Joan T Randall

Meet the Founder: Empowering Higher Education with AI Our founder, J.D. Mosley-Matchett of InforMaven.AI a current Cohort 9 participant at The Boost Pad, is a 30-year veteran of higher education who has embarked on a mission to help colleges and universities tackle the overwhelming challenges brought by increasing regulations and decreasing resources. Instead of offering another complex software solution, she’s empowering administrators to harness the power of AI through no-code automations—without needing a technical background. Like many solo entrepreneurs, one of the biggest challenges Dr. Mosley-Matchett faced was overcoming the echo chamber of working alone. That’s where The Boost Pad has played a crucial role. Through its structure, mentorship, and collaborative environment, The Boost Pad has provided her with the support and focus she needed to shape her business strategy. The weekly meetings, especially the Business Model Canvas sessions, have been pivotal in keeping her aligned with her goals. #theboostpadcohort9 #theboostpad #minorityownedbusiness #bipocbusiness

Are you a Charlotte, NC area BIPOK or woman business owner looking to grow in your business skills, along with receiving support, education, a community of like-minded entrepreneurs, and multiple opportunities to have start capital infused into your business? We have a spot JUST FOR YOU! sign up today: theboostpad.org

🌟 Spotlight on Success! 🌟 We’re thrilled to highlight Cynthia Hayes, the incredible mind behind @zutadosoul Zutado Soul and a proud graduate of The Boost Pad’s Cohort 7! Cynthia’s dedication to health and wellness shines through her business, Zutado Soul, where she crafts balanced, nutritious meals using only whole, fresh ingredients—nothing overprocessed or fried, just pure, wholesome goodness. 🍽️💚 We’re even more excited to announce that Cynthia’s hard work has been recognized on a big stage! Zutado Soul was named a winner of the prestigious Health Equity Innovation Challenge presented by the Flywheel Foundation. This award highlights her commitment to addressing health disparities and making a positive impact in our communities. Cynthia’s journey is what The Boost Pad is all about—empowering entrepreneurs to reach new heights and create lasting change. We couldn’t be more proud of her and can’t wait to see what’s next! Want to join a community that supports and uplifts entrepreneurs like Cynthia? Visit us at theboostpad.org to learn more and become part of our mission! #TheBoostPad #EntrepreneurSpotlight #Cohort7 #ZutadoSoul #HealthEquity #InnovationChallenge #BlackOwnedBusiness #CommunityImpact #SmallBusinessSuccess #CharlotteNC

We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible achievements of Jasmine Weiss, M.D., MHS, a proud member of The Boost Pad Cohort 4! Dr. Weiss has been honored with an award from the National Medical Association for outstanding achievements as one of the 2024 Top Healthcare Professionals Under 40. These trailblazers are shaping the future of healthcare with their dedication and innovative approaches. 🏆 Jasmine Weiss, M.D., MHS - Recognized for her leadership and commitment to improving healthcare accessibility through community-based initiatives. Additionally, in 2023, Dr. Weiss was one of fifteen entrepreneurs awarded a $10,000 NC IDEA MICRO grant for her business, iDream/B-Med Connect. This funding supports young, promising startups by providing the resources needed to validate and advance their ideas. The recognition of these graduates is a win for The Boost Pad, but we know that we do not work alone. We are part of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Charlotte that creates a network of support for underrepresented founders in our city. Our mission includes connecting entrepreneurs to that ecosystem, which includes organizations like NC IDEA and Techstars, so their businesses can achieve their full potential. Would you join The Boost Pad and #FundTheFuture of aspiring, innovative entrepreneurs? Go to theboostpad.org today. #HealthcareHeroes #TopHealthcareProfessionals #InnovationInHealthcare #CommunityLeadership #TheBoostPad #Trailblazers #NMAAwards #NCIDEA #Techstars #Entrepreneurship #CharlotteNC #SupportStartups

Grow Your Startup with NC IDEA Grants! Are you an entrepreneur in North Carolina? NC IDEA offers grants to help early-stage and growing companies succeed. Apply now for the Fall 2024 Grant Cycle! ✨ $10K NC IDEA MICRO: Project-based grants to validate assumptions and develop business models. ✨ $50K NC IDEA SEED: Grants for early-stage companies to scale faster. 📅 Application Opens: July 29th, 2024 📅 Application Deadline: August 26th, 2024 👉 Visit www.theboostpad.org to learn more and apply! Don't miss this opportunity to take your startup to the next level! #NCIDEA #StartupFunding #Entrepreneurship #Grants #SmallBusiness #Innovation #Startups #NorthCarolina #TheBoostPad

The Boost Pad Welcomes You! Calling all aspiring and early-stage BI-POC, women-owned, and minority entrepreneurs! We are excited to announce that applications are now open for our next cohort, starting the first week of September! What We Offer: 1️⃣ Support from the Experts: Gain invaluable insights from subject matter experts and entrepreneurs in residence. 2️⃣ Supportive Community: Connect, collaborate, and learn with like-minded entrepreneurs in a nurturing environment. 3️⃣ Hybrid Cohort Program: Enjoy the flexibility of both in-person and virtual sessions. 📅 Apply Now: Visit theboostpad.org/apply to submit your application. But hurry, the deadline is August 16, 2024! Don't miss this incredible opportunity to elevate your entrepreneurial journey. Join us at The Boost Pad, where your success story begins. #Entrepreneurs #WomenInBusiness #MinorityOwned #BIPOC #SmallBusiness #SupportSmallBusiness #TheBoostPad #ApplyNow #Entrepreneurship

Recap: Making BOLD Moves Last night, The Boost Pad hosted a 90-minute business coaching seminar led by Trudi B. Parson, MSHS on "Making BOLD Moves: Mastering Vision." Trudi emphasized the power of vision over sight. While sight is limited by what the eyes can see, vision is only limited by the imagination in your heart. Vision allows you to see beyond the physical and into the potential of what could be. Key points from the seminar included: - Vision vs. Sight: Vision is the greatest gift given by God, driving the creation of wealth and fulfillment of potential. - Seeds of Ideas: Persistent ideas are seeds that can produce fruit, multiplying and dominating your industry. - Partnering with God: Nothing is too big or hard when you partner with God. You were born to solve a problem and fulfill a specific purpose in your generation. - Responsibility: You are necessary and not an option. Your gifts and talents are assigned to help others, and it is your responsibility to show up and deliver. - Unique Design: You are designed to solve specific problems for certain people. You are the solution, and your unique approach is vital. - Success in Crisis: Success is often found in crisis. Building your business and legacy will be challenging but possible with the right tools, tactics, and support. Trudi highlighted three key aspects of making bold moves: 1. Initiation and Completion: A bold move can be started by one person and finished by another. 2. Potential Delays: Bold moves may cause delays, but persistence is key. 3. Escalation: Bold moves bring escalation and significant rewards. Trudi encouraged everyone to choose what is God’s plan over what is merely good, respond properly to distractions, and pray for the strength to finish their journey. Ready to make bold moves in your business? Visit theboostpad.org to learn more and join our community.