Carbondale Accelerator Program

/https://siu.edu/search-results.php

Last Updated: Jun 02, 2025, 09:15 AM

Carbondale Accelerator Program Wraps Up After Empowering 28 Local Entrepreneurs 

A large group of people, the Carbondale Accelerator Program Participants, pose for a photo and the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center.

The City of Carbondale and the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale recently celebrated the successful conclusion of the Carbondale Accelerator Program, a year-and-a-half-long initiative designed to cultivate local entrepreneurship, strengthen the small business ecosystem, and drive economic growth in the region. 

Funded by an $80,707 Energy Transition Community Grant (ETCG) awarded to the City of Carbondale, the program has equipped local entrepreneurs with hands-on training, expert mentorship, and each participant was given the opportunity to receive up to $6,250 in start-up funding. Participants engaged in a rigorous 10-week course that covered all aspects of launching and managing a small business, from writing business plans and building budgets to filing formation paperwork and developing marketing strategies. 

“Access to capital is one of the biggest barriers to starting a new business, especially for those members of historically disadvantaged populations”, said Steven Mitchell, the City of Carbondale’s Economic Development Director. “Using start-up capital from grant funds provided by the State of Illinois, combined with first-class entrepreneurship training from the SBDC at SIU, is a rare opportunity that will make a lasting impact for many aspiring entrepreneurs and their families.” 

Open to both aspiring entrepreneurs and businesses under four years old, the program graduated 28 participants across three cohorts. Eighteen entrepreneurs launched new ventures during the program, while the rest used the tools and funding provided to strengthen existing operations. Each graduate received $1,250 in seed funding and participated in ribbon-cutting ceremonies and vendor fairs to mark their achievements. 

“It was incredible,” said Matthew Huff, owner of Claymaster Firearms and a program graduate. “The information I got was more than I could have asked for. It helped me realize the big picture and focus on the future of the business, not just the start-up phase. Being able to come up with realistic business plans and explore different scenarios gave me a solid foundation to grow from.” 

Participants represented a wide range of industries, from food and farming to art, wellness, education, and retail. Brooke Yandle, owner of Hawthorne Art, shared, “The result of the SBDC's mentorship is that I know how to strategies better, network effectively, and make sales, which have allowed me to take a real shot at working as a full-time commercial artist.” 

Lindsey Zollner, owner of Virtue & Vision, also credited the structure of the program for her success. “I had to meet solid deadlines, which meant procrastination wasn’t an option... If I wanted to succeed, I was forced to act. The advisors were always willing to guide me through challenges, and the program structure propelled my daydreams into reality.” 

Throughout the three cohorts, participants also had the opportunity to pitch their businesses at the conclusion of their cohort for a chance at additional funding. These end-of-cohort competitions awarded $5,000 to first-place winners and $2,500 to second-place winners, thanks to support from the City of Carbondale. 

First-place winners were: 

  • Jackie Robbins, Honey Heist Mead Co. 
  • Monique Spears, Emerged Beauty 
  • AlessandRa Nicholson, The Candray Institute 

Second-place winners included: 

  • Noah Scalero, BeetRoot Farm 
  • Samantha Taylor, Southern Fire and Clay 
  • Lindsey Zollner, Virtue & Vision 

These awards not only validated participants' business ideas but also provided crucial early funding to invest in tools, certifications, equipment, and other business essentials. 

To cap off the program, graduates from all three cohorts were invited to compete in a Grand Pitch Competition, where 18 businesses delivered 90-second presentations to a panel of judges. These competitions awarded $4,800 to first-place winners and $1,866 to second-place winners, thanks to support from the City of Carbondale. 

First-place winners were: 

  • Jerri Young, Taste & Live 
  • Ellen Esling, Local Lore Farm 
  • AlessandRa Nicholson, The Candray Institute 

Second-place winners were: 

  • Mary Jane Glisson Keller, Quick Magic Gardens 
  • Lynne Weeks, Reading by the Weeks 
  • Jackie Robbins, Honey Heist Mead Co. 

Beyond recognition, the funding awarded through the program helped business owners take critical next steps. Jerri Young, owner of Taste & Live, used her award to help purchase a food truck, turning her vision of mobile dining into reality. Lynne Weeks, founder of Reading by the Weeks, a tutoring service for individuals with dyslexia, ADHD, and autism, used her funding to earn an advanced credential as a Certified Dyslexia Specialist. These examples underscore the unique needs of each business and how targeted support enabled meaningful progress. 

“The success of our graduates is a testament to the value of collaboration between local government and higher education,” said Michael Jessup, Director Illinois SBDC at SIU. “This program not only helped businesses get off the ground but also laid the foundation for long-term sustainability and economic impact in Southern Illinois.” 

With 28 graduates now equipped to build stronger businesses and serve their communities, the Carbondale Accelerator Program leaves behind a legacy of entrepreneurship, empowerment, and economic resilience. 

If you would like to learn more about the no-cost business assistance available through the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at SIU, contact sbdc@siu.edu or (618)-536-2424.