Business Name:Woody’s Wings, 91 Church Street, New Haven.
Year Business was started in New Haven: December 2019 on Whalley Avenue for 3 years
Why did you start your own business?
I wanted to show my different training styles of cooking with a fast-food twist. I also wanted to show off my love of seasoning and flavors on wings.
Why did you choose to start your business in New Haven?
It’s my hometown!
What challenges did you have to overcome in starting your business?
The challenge for us was not knowing the business side. The cooking side was the easy part. If it wasn’t for the Small Business Resource Center of New Haven giving us the resources, we would be totally lost. Our biggest take away is not to be scared to ask questions. Knowledge is key!!!
I started my own business to give my kids a better future
Why did you choose to start your business in New Haven?
I actually started my first restaurant in Bridgeport but coming back home was the dream. Opening a restaurant is your own city is iconic for me! Brings hope to the community.
What challenges did you have to overcome in starting your business?
The challenges you must overcome is staying consistent and never giving up on yourself. Times get hard as an entrepreneur so you must stay focused.
Business Name:Petals Market, 100 Ashmum Street, New Haven
Year Business was started in New Haven: 2019
Why did you start your own business?
The area is known as a food desert, and the business was open to fill the void with the collaboration of Yale and ConnCAT/ConnCORP. To serve the Town and Gown.
Why did you choose to start your business in New Haven?
We have a vested interest in New Haven and do a lot of work in the Dixwell and Newhallvile communities, so it is a perfect fit. Down the street, we have ConnCAT, Which has been training people
What challenges did you have to overcome in starting your business?
Having been in the business, it was easy once we got everything in order. All stakeholders were on the same page. We got hit with Covid-19. It was challenging, but we got through it.
TJAY’s vision is create a world where individuals with autism spectrum disorders are valued. We can achieve this goal by raising more and more autism awareness. TJAY believes individuals with autism deserve to live, play, work, socialize, learn and worship in the setting and manner of of their own choosing. We aim to improve the quality of life of everyone living with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Business Name:BIM Auto Repair, 223 Whalley Avenue, New Haven.
Year Business was started in New Haven: 2015
Why did you start your own business?
I opened Bim Auto Repair as a tribute to where we were from. Bim is the name used for Barbados, where we grew up with a single parent raising five boys on her own in a government house.
Why did you choose to start your business in New Haven?
We moved to New Haven in 2015 in an abandoned building that had been vacant for over 15 years.
What challenges did you have to overcome in starting your business?
We struggled the first 4 years because we were in an area in Hamden where our landlord was not allowing us to grow. We couldn’t do bodywork or sell cars because he sold cars next door to us in his own business, so we lost a lot of money paying bills and maintaining our business.
We started from scratch, bought all the equipment, put in 2 car lifts, bought a paint booth and everything else to run our business.
Growing up in an innovative, business driven household, I learned from my father the value of creating something on your own. I developed an intimate knowledge of not only the hardships and challenges to owning your business but also the incredibly rewarding experience that comes from giving your unwavering attention to something you are passionate about and seeing it blossom. I started my professional career in Brand Marketing with a focus on Beverages and had the opportunity to connect with numerous innovative and influential figures in the Craft Cocktail domain that I found incredibly intriguing. Fueled by my growing interest in this world and inspired by my family’s entrepreneurial legacy, I ventured into opening bars and restaurants, including the establishment of the Anchor Spa in New Haven.
Why did you choose to start your business in New Haven?
I went to Yale as an undergrad and always knew I wanted to bring something to New Haven both because of the impact it had on me at such a pivotal point in my life, but also because of New Haven’s reputation in the culinary and cocktail world.
What challenges did you have to overcome in starting your business?
One of the biggest challenges I had to face is something that I think many Black entrepreneurs are faced with – and that’s the lack of available capital and resources to Black-owned businesses. Combine that with the inherent challenges of just running a restaurant in general definitely contributed to us having some hard times when we first opened. However, with an excellent team and the unwavering spirit I possess in making things work, we were able to overcome these challenges, which ultimately helped us get through a tough time like COVID and come out on the other end stronger than we ever were.
Year Business was started in New Haven: February 2005
Why did you start your own business?
In the span of two weeks, I transitioned from a hairdresser to a young Black business owner. During the time the salon I was at was closing, I saw an opportunity to have a smooth transition start-up. I noticed an available location two blocks away and have been here since February 2005.
Why did you choose to start your business in New Haven?
I was born and raised in New Haven
What challenges did you have to overcome in starting your business?
Within the past 19 years, I’ve felt fortunate to service clients in and around the New Haven area, especially since I was born and raised here. Like many industries, you have to manage through economic hardships, client and employee retention, and continuing to perfect your craft. I encourage all upcoming business owners to seize opportunities, trust your instincts, and remain committed to your vision.
Congratulations to Bambi from Waterbury! She is our WYBC Valentine’s Day Grand Prize Winner!
Bambi and the love of her life, her husband Ken, are going to enjoy tickets to see Janet Jackson this summer, dinner at Koolbreeze Jamerican Cuisine in New Haven, flowers and chocolates!
My passion for fashion ignited my journey into entrepreneurship. Having started as a buyer and visual merchandiser, I witnessed multiple stores closing and felt compelled to ensure a destination for exquisite, distinctive fashion. This, combined with the desire for autonomy, led me to establish my boutique, merging my expertise with my love for fashion.
Why did you choose to start your business in New Haven?
Choosing New Haven for my inaugural store was a deliberate decision. Beyond its vibrant culture and ties to my husband’s roots, the city’s affiliation with Yale University further enriched its appeal. The supportive environment for local businesses, coupled with the city’s diverse artistic scene and connection to such a prestigious institution, made it the perfect setting to launch my boutique.”
What challenges did you have to overcome in starting your business?
Establishing More Amour boutique in New Haven presented multifaceted challenges. As an outsider to the community, gaining familiarity and earning the trust of locals proved to be a significant hurdle, especially in a place where personal connections hold substantial value. Additionally, opening during the pandemic posed its own set of formidable obstacles. However, we navigated these challenges by persistently paving our own way, ultimately overcoming the odds and solidifying our presence despite being newcomers and the adverse circumstances of the pandemic.
Gorilla Lemonade Lemonade was powered by Eat Up our food catering business. We started Eat Up in 2019 and we never sold beverages until 2022 and the rest was history. We got tired of hearing our customers say “ When are y’all going to get some drinks?” We didn’t want to resale other beverages when we can sale our own and receive complete profit.
Why did you choose to start your business in New Haven?
New Haven is where we are at. New Haven birthed our business and its only suiting to stay right here with our vision. Kristen is from New York City who also lived in other various cities and states through the years. Brian is from New Haven and has been here his entire life. For Brian this is a blessing for him to be that change in the city he is from and also building generational wealth in his city.
What challenges did you have to overcome in starting your business?
The challenges Gorilla Lemonade faced in the beginning stages of our business was understanding how to do real business. Yes, making a product is apart of the business and sales is apart of the business. However, understanding bookkeeping, profits and losses, managing an efficient inventory, building a team and putting the right people in their perspective positions that allows them to do their jobs efficiently. Let us not leave out marketing dollars and we can go on and on but just know it was a roller coaster that makes you feel overwhelmed but we never got off the ride because we understood that its all apart of the growth of the business. Entrepreneurship comes with so many different emotions and challenges. We are grateful that we are Men and understand we are built for this purpose.
