LiftFund – Page 2 – CDFI Coalition

Dr. Andre Xavier Smith

Dr. Andre Smith grew up in a low-income neighborhood in Baltimore, Maryland. His mother passed away when he was only 10 years old, leaving behind a family of nine children. Due to hardship in the area, Smith says that crime was one of the most appealing routes in his community; however, he chose a different path by joining the military.

Dream Big Child Development Center: A Visionary Journey

Antaya Hampton, the visionary behind Dream Big Child Development Center in Glenn Heights, Texas, has always had a passion for childcare. Before launching her business, Antaya worked as a director for a before-and-after school childcare center and later as a Head Start teacher. Her experience also includes mentoring and coaching providers to improve quality in Texas’ childcare system. Inspired by her love for preschool-aged …

Sweat Equity, Heather O’Neill

Founded by fitness and wellness guru, Heather O’Neill, Sweat Equity sets itself apart in a growing industry through its vision of being a “health and wellness amusement park.” The unique sauna studio offers a diverse range of services, including full-spectrum infrared modalities, cryotherapy, contrast therapies, somadome meditation pods, and IV vitamin infusions. The journey of Sweat Equity has included major challenges, a…

Lorris Gibson Jr.

Today, Lorris Gibson Jr. is an executive chef and enterprising small businessowner but that was not always the case. Ten years ago, Lorris had completed chef training and was working in the restaurant industry when he struggled with addiction and he and his wife experienced homelessness. After recovering from his addiction with the help of Haven for Hope, Lorris decided to turn his cooking skills into a way to give back to those still struggling.

A Skier’s Game-Changer: The Clutter Basket Story

Meet Kenneth Mann, a former Air Force officer turned entrepreneur from Colorado, on a mission to revolutionize the skiing experience in lodges across the US and beyond. As an avid skier, he noticed a common hassle during his visits to ski resorts – tables overflowing with helmets, goggles, and gloves, leaving diners with little space to enjoy their meals.

Susan Lynn Prather

After struggling with an illness that doctors and specialists couldn’t understand, Susan Lynn Prather decided to take a more holistic approach to her health — changing her diet, lifestyle and adding new wellness treatments — and began to see real, positive results.