100Knoxville graduates eleventh cohort of founders
Five founders from diverse backgrounds came together for the latest cohort of 10Knoxville.
The Knoxville Entrepreneur Center (KEC) announced the graduation of the eleventh cohort of the 100Knoxville program. This five-week sprint, led by Facilitator Kandis Troutman, connected five local founders with experienced mentors to help them sharpen their business strategies, enhance operational efficiency, grow their networks, and increase sales.
Supported by The Boyd Foundation, 100Knoxville aims to empower Black entrepreneurs in the Knoxville area by providing resources, mentorship, and guidance to accelerate their success. Through this initiative, the entrepreneurs gained valuable insights and tools to strengthen their businesses and make a positive impact on the local economy.
Meet the founders and mentors
- Eric Burum, the founder of Timeless Barbershop was mentored by Monty Howard. The company is a community-focused barbershop located on Western Avenue in Knoxville, offering high-quality grooming services to clients.
- Yewande Akinse, the founder and owner of Salubata was mentored by Marc Hall. Salubata is a sustainable fashion brand creating modular shoes from repurposed plastic waste. With two global patents, the company is on a mission to eliminate plastic from oceans while empowering eco-conscious fashion choices.
- Roderick Lewis, the founder and owner of Volunteer Counseling & Medical Services LLC, was mentored by Marcus Blair. The service-based company is an online telehealth platform offering mental health and substance abuse counseling to residents across Tennessee.
- Kiana Jones, the founder and owner of Plush Moon Terrarium Co., was mentored by Logan Higgins. Plush Moon Terrarium Co. specializes in low-maintenance, environmentally friendly terrariums that bring nature into homes and workplaces.
- Latoya Walter, the founder and owner of Same 24 Cleaning LLC, was mentored by Lina Evans. The company provides professional, top-tier commercial cleaning services, ensuring that workplaces remain pristine and promote healthy environments.
Learn more about the 100Knoxville program.
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