Facebook Business
Waffles and Whatnot
In 2016, after serving 18+ years in the Army, Derrick Green decided to take a sabbatical from serving the country to see if he could follow another dream—opening a business. During the sabbatical, he created a 21-day pop up shop selling waffles from a picnic table in Anchorage, Alaska. The pop up and waffle recipe were such a hit that Derrick decided to build a business out of it—Waffles and Whatnot was born.
Charleston Gourmet Burger
Charleston Gourmet Burger Company, founded by Chevalo and Monique Wilsondebriano in 2012, started at a backyard BBQ thrown by Chevalo and Monique. Chevalo, a decorated NYC first responder, and Monique had just relocated to Charleston looking for a change after the heartbreak of the 9/11 attacks. Not knowing anyone in Charleston, Monique and Chevalo decided to throw a neighborhood BBQ, using their homemade burger marinade. After seeing how much people loved their marinade, they decided to try and build a business with it. From there, Charleston Gourmet Burger Company was born.
Cupcake Royale
After coming out to her family and friends, Jody Hall realized she has the power to write her own script. An entrepreneur at heart, Jody started Cupcake Royale in Seattle, Washington with a mission to be the most joyful part of a person's day. Today, Jody has 6 locations, uses targeted Facebook ads to reach new customers both locally and across the US, and makes a profound difference in her community and beyond.
Walton’s Antique Jewelry
Walton’s Antique Jewelry was started over 40 years ago by Julie’s grandmother, Melba Walton, an entrepreneur who had a sincere passion for antique jewelry. Walton’s Antique Jewelry has remained a family business, with Julie growing up in the store and watching her grandmother, then her father, build Walton’s into a staple business in the Franklin community.
Love Your Melon
Love Your Melon was founded in 2012 with humble expectations, to say the least. The start-up began as a class project in Zachary Quinn and Brian Keller’s entrepreneurship course at the University of St. Paul in Minnesota. Zachary and Brian didn’t have a detailed business plan, but they did have a dream—to provide a beanie to every child battling cancer in America. Their professors didn't think they could sell through the 200 beanies they had ordered in an entire semester. They sold out in two days.