Catrina first learned about Operation HOPE through the Brooklyn Public Library’s PowerUP! Competition. “They had mentioned Operation HOPE in one of the Business Plan Competition’s required courses,” she explained. “Somebody they were mentioning a lot was [Operation HOPE Coach] Walid Morad.” When she looked it up and realized Walid’s coaching—through the Small Business Development Program and the 1MBB Initiative—was free, she decided to sign up.

At the time, she was building a comprehensive business plan for ProManage Services, her construction management firm focused on supporting small contractors. Her company acts as a bridge, helping subcontractors and general contractors navigate the paperwork required to get paid on time.

The PowerUP! competition required a full business plan, covering everything from marketing and finance to creating a sustainable business within Brooklyn. Catrina went into the process completing it largely on her own. But when she enrolled in Walid’s 8-week program, something shifted.

“The first day I went in that course, I’m like, ‘This is the best spent time of my day of learning more about becoming a small business and entrepreneurship overall,’” she said. Unlike other programs she had taken, this one felt practical and personal. “Everything was focused on small businesses and creating the business plan.”

Walid’s style resonated with Catrina immediately. “He relates each class to what we may have or will soon encounter in the world of business and he’s a straight shooter,” she said. She appreciated that he spoke from experience, often saying, “This is what I’ve been through. This is what I’ve done in business. This is what failed. This is what went successfully.” More than instruction, Walid’s teaching style felt familiar. “I literally feel like I was talking to a family member, like speaking with my own brother,” she said.

After the course ended, Catrina didn’t hesitate. “I knew I wanted to continue working with Walid, regardless of the outcome of the competition,” she said.

When she was selected as a finalist for the PowerUP! Competition, the business plan moved from document to dynamic strategy. Together, they refined her presentation and pitch. “He was a great sounding board,” she said. “He filled in the gaps for me.” From recommending procuring an accountant and lawyer to reminding her about a using a teleprompter app to practice her speech, Walid’s support was both strategic and tactical.

“Walid became an exceptional coach, keeping me motivated, offering honest and constructive feedback, and sharing his trademark humor that made every meeting engaging,” she remarked.

Equally impactful was how Walid pushed Catrina to think bigger. Initially, Catrina had focused exclusively on public sector clients—housing authorities, transit agencies and state entities. Walid encouraged her to expand her list of prospects to include private developers and contractors. He also suggested exploring federal opportunities through sam.gov.

“He definitely opened up the pool a little more and encouraged me not to silo myself there just yet,” she said. “He kind of reshaped that strategy for me.”

Instead of treating her business plan as a finished submission, Walid treated it as a working tool—something to test, expand, and refine in real time. They created prospect outreach lists, strengthened marketing materials, adjusted positioning, and built momentum all the way through competition day.

Catrina was named a top 8 finalist out of 200 applicants, received a merit award, and won the People’s Choice Award—earning $2,000! “It was an amazing time,” she said.

More importantly, she proved something to herself.

“I was up there presenting by myself,” she said. “If I could do this, I can do anything. That means I do make good business decisions. I have the discipline to focus and conquer all my goals.”

The wins didn’t stop there. With Walid’s guidance, Catrina secured a consulting contract with an organization focused on helping young adults enter the construction trade—work that positions her to qualify for Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) certification in New York City and New York State.

“Walid has been a tremendous coach, an excellent educator, and an overall outstanding person to work with,” she said.

Today, her next goals are clear: secure three more projects and complete her M/WBE filing.

For Catrina, the difference wasn’t just writing a business plan. It was learning how to let it guide her decisions long after the competition ended. With the right coaching, what started as a competition requirement became a living, breathing roadmap—guiding her decisions, expanding her vision, and helping her succeed.

For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

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Now, nearly four years later, we took the opportunity to catch up with LaTonia, who still keeps in regular contact with her Operation HOPE Financial Wellbeing Coach, Brooke Ratliff. Her business, The Ladies League of Detroit, continues to grow a membership of women—also known as sisters—who come together regularly to support each other, both personally and professionally. “I built my business to give mid-career women in Detroit an opportunity to meet with their peers and have real conversations about the obstacles they’re facing to reach their goals,” said LaTonia. “Many of our members are the first of their families to go to college and have a professional job so I wanted to provide a space where we come together to learn, uplift each other and also have a lot of fun together,” she added.

When it comes to learning about finances, Brooke is a resource the League turns to. She guides the sisters through Operation HOPE workshops on financial topics including budgeting and building credit. “It’s not as simple as saying ‘I got this because I’m paying my bills.’ I want the sisters to truly understand how to make credit work for them. Calculating your debt-to-income ratio, being intentional about raising your credit score, and paying down debt means that they will be able to access better rates on mortgages, car loans and credit cards,” said LaTonia.

With a growing and thriving membership, LaTonia is excited about the future—both for her and the sisterhood. “We were taught that the way to get financial security was to get a good job. I’m here to show the sisters that a job with an employer isn’t the only way. If you have a business idea that you’re passionate about, entrepreneurship is available to you too.”

With support from Brooke, Operation HOPE, and the 1 Million Black Business Initiative, LaTonia is helping her sisters build a financial foundation so they can have the life they’ve dreamed of.

For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.  

The post Detroit Entrepreneur Helps Mid-Level Businesswomen Thrive     appeared first on Operation HOPE.

Decades of experience working in social services meant that Allen understood this sentiment deeply. Serendipitously, a new technology was going mainstream that gave Allen an idea of how he could help others—but this time in a business context. “As I joined [the Operation HOPE cohort] it was during a very monumental moment in history because artificial intelligence (AI) came out and it was one of those things that I embraced and learned everything I could,” Allen said. After completing the Operation HOPE program, Allen was able to create a service offering: guiding small business owners on how to use this game-changing AI technology to increase productivity and save costs.

In addition to learning about business fundamentals like marketing, financing, and developing a business plan, it was the belief that the Operation HOPE team had in Allen that helped him soar. “The biggest thing Operation HOPE offered me was confidence. They were my thought partner … I really needed someone who didn’t know my personal background to be able to push me along while giving me a safe space to spitball ideas and make mistakes,” Allen said.

From Operation HOPE’s perspective, Allen was a star pupil—he sought out all the opportunities the organization offered, including network events, and attended every single one. “I was seeking this information and here was a place that was willing to give it to me. All they required of me was to apply the knowledge, so I just really leaned into it,” he said. In our experience, having a self-starter attitude like Allen’s is one of the most important traits of a successful entrepreneur.

Allen also gives a lot of credit to his coach, LaQuita Carrington, who tapped her connections to help him grow his business. “This really helped me to transition into entrepreneurship because the largest issue I was experiencing was how to reach the right people. All my experience up until then has been networking within silos because I came from a social service background. I loved that Operation HOPE created avenues where I could thrive,” said Allen. To this day, LaQuita and Allen connect regularly to review his progress: “I’ve been in other business classes where, when the class ends, so does the support, and I really appreciate our ongoing relationship,” he said.

LaQuita noted that Allen has a gift to lead and build organizations. “Effective leaders like Allen,” she said, “think of the things that will include more people in the future and give them a voice even while working on the present goals. The key is to dream big while still living in the present because people depend on your abilities.” 

Echoing the earlier sentiments of John Hope Bryant, Allen firmly believes that if you’re receiving you must give back. To that end, he’s volunteered his time with several Operation HOPE cohorts (and counting) to introduce AI to participants and show them how tools like ChatGPT can assist them in drafting a business plan. To get started, he encourages cohort members to experiment with the tools by entering prompts on subjects they are knowledgeable about. It’s a way for members to see firsthand how accurate the tool is so they have confidence about the results when they enter subsequent prompts for unfamiliar topics.

Allen sees this ongoing relationship with Operation HOPE as foundational to building a community that “meets people where they are and provides opportunities for them,” he said.  “The biggest thing I am trying to do is foster community and show people that I’m a reflection of the community that they have just joined. I give them my perspective on where I started—with a product that just didn’t work—up until now when I’ve developed a tool that brought me into this room that was fostered and harnessed here.”

While the feedback and questions about AI from Operation HOPE program participants help Allen refine his product for paying customers, what motivates him is helping others. “I always leave the Operation HOPE sessions and laugh because as soon as I log off, I’m like, all right if nothing else happens today, I’ve done something,” he said.

Operation HOPE helped Allen build confidence, connections and community, and they can help you do the same.

For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.  

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It’s that same spirit that drew her to Operation HOPE Small Business Coach Nicole Escalera, who guided her through the organization’s One Million Black Businesses (1MBB) program. Xiomara recognized in Nicole someone who has a strong “care factor” like she does. Nicole isn’t satisfied with just checking a box that her clients completed a module or a task—she’s determined to help them create lasting change through entrepreneurship.

“At first I just wanted to create a business plan so I could have one and get it over with. But as the questions kept coming, I was like, ‘you know what? Let me put thought into this. Let me not just finish this because it needs to be done. Let me…use it for me,’” Xiomara said.

With Nicole’s support, Xiomara applied her newfound knowledge from the 1MBB program to make her business plan a dynamic document that would articulate her company’s vision and growth strategy. Through this process, Xiomara realized her dream was to expand her spa into a larger property.

But she wasn’t sure where to start when it came to borrowing the money required to fund her expansion goals. “I wasn’t clear on where and how to proceed. I didn’t have a clear vision of the things that needed to be implemented in the business in order to justify borrowing this money,” she said.

Enter Nicole once again. In addition to helping Xiomara define an overarching vision for the company, Nicole brought connections and expertise to give her practical hands-on knowledge to make her dream a reality.

For example, Nicole advised Xiomara to open a business account for her spa and tapped her extensive network where Xiomara was able to secure personal funding. Now the business banking specialist is preparing Xiomara with the products that she needs to secure the expansion funding. When the loan is finalized, Nicole will coach Xiomara on how to effectively apply and manage the new funding to achieve her expansion goals and partner her up with a business mentor via the 1MBB program.

Xiomara also turns to Nicole to find new ways to grow foot traffic in her existing storefront. In fact, Nicole went so far as to sit down with Xiomara to analyze her online marketing plan and determine the best days and time of engagement. In just three months, her incoming leads from Google increased by 20%.

“I would have never known about any of this stuff if it wasn’t for her—her connections, her willingness to call me to see how the business is doing. Nicole listened when I told her what I was going through and would say, ‘Okay, I think you could benefit from this. I think you could benefit from that.’ She doesn’t give up and neither do I, so we make a great team,” said Xiomara.

Today, Xiomara’s vision extends far beyond her own success. With Operation HOPE and Coach Nicole Escalera by her side, she continues to dream bigger, grow stronger, and inspire others to pursue their own paths to success. What began as a small daytime spa has blossomed into a thriving business—and a beacon of empowerment, resilience, and community care. For Xiomara, this is only the beginning of a legacy built on passion, purpose, and possibility.

For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.  

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His professional and personal experiences served as the inspiration for the formation of the nonprofit, the Georgia Higher Arts and Technology Training Institute. It’s a space where community members in Fulton County, Georgia, can come together to learn new skills, build confidence and develop positive relationships. “I had a successful career as an audio-visual (AV) technician,” he said. “Having a specialized skill like AV to fall back on during the ups and downs meant I had a steady stream of income over the years. That’s what we’re trying to do here. We want to expose young people to opportunities to develop a craft so they can have a lucrative career as an employee or entrepreneur.”

Dr. Johnson—who recently received his Doctorate in Christian Counseling—couples the Institute’s career skills curriculum with his other passions: martial arts and counseling. As a Grandmaster in martial arts, he firmly believes in its power to teach self-discipline and resilience. “We have strong men in our organization that love helping kids. Some kids are on the spectrum and I’m so proud to see the progress they’ve made. In fact, one of our members with Autism is close to getting their black belt.” Using the principles he’s learned from being a church Deacon and accredited Christian counselor, Dr. Johnson also mentors young adults who don’t have strong role models in their lives and are looking for guidance.

Bolstered by his faith, Dr. Johnson’s “will” to serve his community was clear, however the “way” to achieve his goals was not. In-person instruction enabled Dr. Johnson and his volunteers to develop enduring relationships with at-risk community members, but that meant that he needed to create a network of spaces where classes could be reliably held. Enter Operation HOPE’s Small Business Coach, Linden Jackson. Mr. Jackson encouraged his long-time friend to join the organization’s eight-week Small Business Development program, which emphasized the importance of developing local partnerships and applying for government contracts. “I don’t meet any strangers,” Dr. Johnson chuckled. “I started going to different events and meeting new people, and when I shared my vision for the Institute, the community showed up.

The Institute has been recognized for its great work in the community—to the tune of $180,000 in county and federal grants. Operation HOPE’s Mr. Jackson assisted Dr. Johnson with the grant application process by introducing him to senior county executives who could share more details about the various grants. For Mr. Jackson the grand opening of Dr. Johnson’s own center in South Fulton was a pride-filled moment. Attended by community leaders, including South Fulton Mayor Khalid Kamau and his staff as well as Atlanta’s leading radio station, V-103, the ribbon cutting was the moment he realized that “we did the work and it paid off well.”

Today, the Institute serves 250 people per week, who fan out across the county to attend classes at senior centers, county recreation centers and church multipurpose rooms, in addition to the organization’s own space in South Fulton. Dr. Johnson has big plans for the future, and it’s the stories of how the Institute is making a difference in people’s lives that keeps him driving forward.

For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.  

The post Retiree Leans on God’s “Will” and Operation HOPE’s “Way” to Serve Community appeared first on Operation HOPE.

When Jamie Rae Wright heard John Hope Bryant speak at Bishop T.D. Jakes’ International Leadership Conference, she had no idea that moment would become the catalyst for transforming her vision into a multimillion-dollar reality that would change countless lives.

As a domestic violence survivor who had experienced homelessness herself, Jamie understood the desperate need for safe, affordable housing for survivors and their children. In 2020, she founded Jamie R. Wright, LLC with a mission to provide survivor-led awareness, empowerment, and advocacy to underrepresented and historically marginalized communities impacted by domestic violence.

“My dream of building housing for domestic violence survivors stemmed from watching HGTV’s feature of my story of overcoming homelessness on their syndicated TV show House Hunters,” Jamie reflected. After purchasing her own home in Houston, Texas, in 2022, she became “unapologetically passionate” about helping other survivors secure housing as well.

But turning vision into reality required more than passion. It required capital, strategy, and guidance. That’s where Operation HOPE made all the difference.

The Power of Coaching and Community

Jamie’s Operation HOPE Coach, Pamela Sanford, became more than an advisor. She became a strategic partner who refused to let Jamie “play small.” Meeting at least once a week for months, Coach Pamela challenged Jamie with pointed questions: “What goal(s) are you trying to achieve in doing that? How would you sustain this or that? Did you think about this or that?”

“It was Coach Pamela’s guidance that I followed to begin searching for grant funding,” Jamie explained. “Coach Pamela challenged me, encouraged me, provided resources, and would not allow me to play small.”

Through Coach Pamela’s patient, stern, caring, and business-minded approach, Jamie developed the strategies and persistence needed to navigate rejection and pursue her ambitious goals.

Transformational Results

The impact of Jamie’s Operation HOPE experience speaks for itself:

– $4.1 million grant from the State of Oklahoma to build 13 homes for domestic violence survivors

– Additional $250,000 grant to provide financial literacy, homebuying coaching, and other key supportive services for survivors and their children

– A sustainable model that addresses not just housing, but the holistic needs of families rebuilding their lives

“I absolutely could not have achieved the $4.1 million grant and an additional $250,000 grant without Coach Pamela and Operation HOPE,” Jamie stated emphatically.

A Ripple Effect of Hope

Jamie’s success represents so much more than impressive funding figures. It is about breaking cycles and creating pathways to stability for some of society’s most vulnerable families. Each home will provide safety and security for survivors and their children, while the supportive services will equip them with the financial literacy and life skills needed for long-term success. This is a dream come true for Jamie.

“Despite facing numerous rejections, I persevered and was able to secure funding to build my first set of homes for survivors and their children fleeing domestic violence. My HOPE experience is directly responsible for the funding we were awarded.”

The Gratitude Factor

In Jamie’s eyes, the keystone to her journey is her coach: “If it wasn’t for Coach Pamela’s guidance, empowerment, genuine heart to see me win, and the encouragement she gave, helping me to overcome the obstacles and ‘no’s’ I had faced and the strategies she helped me create, the homes we are currently building would not have come to fruition.

Please, Coach Pamela, keep doing what you do—how only you can do it—and for whom you do it. I’m grateful to the Creator of the entire universe for you!”

To learn more about the HOPE Inside Disaster Program and other resources: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on X, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

The post Jamie’s Story of HOPE: From Survivor to Solution Builder appeared first on Operation HOPE.

“My business is at a tipping point,” said Tafari. “Up until now I’ve been able to use grants to fulfill demand, but to grow my business, I need to explore outside funding options.”

What sounds like a simple problem to solve ended up being anything but. Tafari couldn’t get a straight answer from traditional sources and local organizations about how to raise money without unintentionally diluting her equity. Frustrated, she turned to Google to find organizations that could help small businesses. That’s how she stumbled upon Operation HOPE.

“I knew I had found the right place when I read John Hope Bryant’s thoughts on being mission-driven, and using your gifts to build wealth for the next generation,” said Tafari. “That resonated with me because I’ve intentionally built my business around benefiting underserved communities in my home city of Detroit. It’s also a way to give my teenage son a lasting legacy and to honor my Jamaican parents, who sacrificed a lot when they left Jamaica to come to the U.S.”

Tafari discussed her funding impasse with local Operation HOPE financial wellbeing coach Brooke Ratliff. Armed with Brooke’s knowledge and the organization’s resources, Tafari is now having conversations with angel investors, CDFIs, and even the casting producers at Shark Tank to find optimal ways to grow her business. At Brooke’s urging, she’s also in the process of enhancing loan applications and investor presentations with advanced analytics like financial modeling and projections to better tell her growth story.

Scaling-up will give Tafari the opportunity to meet the social entrepreneurship goals she has for her business, including hiring more local employees. Tafari’s ultimate goal is to “get it in the hands of people who have hands,” distributing soapsheets around the globe, including to underdeveloped countries to aid sanitation practices and help communities there reduce illness transmission.

Tafari gives Brooke all the credit in helping her learn about different funding options to grow her business. “She was the pivotal point at this stage of my entrepreneurial journey; the linchpin. I’d go so far as to say that she’s the G.O.A.T,” Tafari added with a laugh.

***

For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on Twitter,

Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

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And with the right support system — like Operation HOPE — you can build, scale, and soar.”

The post “Your vision is valid. Your voice matters” appeared first on Operation HOPE.

Through Operation HOPE’s Small Business Development Program, in partnership with the 1MBB initiative, and one-on-one mentorship with Coach Angelic Mister, Jeffery worked for six months to prepare himself for a business loan. He first worked on a plan with Coach Angelic to improve his credit score, which he moved from 633 to 686. He then worked on his business plan, and, in January of this year, he was approved for a loan of $25,000 from First Horizon Bank.

He recently shared how his vision will impact the community of Memphis:

“Thanks to the incredible support of Operation HOPE’s Angelic Mister and First Horizon Bank, Memphis Basketball Trainers have secured a $25,000 loan that will propel our mission forward. This partnership empowers small businesses like ours to make a lasting impact on youth development. With this support, we’ll continue equipping young athletes with the skills, confidence, and character needed to excel both on and off the court. We’re deeply grateful for their belief in our vision!”

The post How a Small Business Loan is Fueling a Memphis Mission appeared first on Operation HOPE.

Through the Jacksonville start-up community, Sierra was introduced to Liz Joiner, a Small Business Coach at Operation HOPE and promptly joined the organization’s Small Business Development Program and 1MBB initiative to grow Maverick Media.

“I love the aspect of it being a workshop,” said Sierra about Operation HOPE’s program for entrepreneurs. “I look forward to it every week and taking my notes, and also learning the proper way to structure my business because everything I had learned with KK Compliments was kind of like trial and error,” she said. Sierra also credits Liz with why she graduated the program. “Liz was very relatable and genuine, always encouraging me to reach out if I ever had any questions,” she said.

In true form, Sierra took the learnings from the Small Business Development Program and not only applied them to her business, but used them to guide her clients as well.

“I was aware of a SWOT analysis (analyzing the venture’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) from a prior workshop, but going in-depth on it during this program really just resonated with me, and it’s something that I’m still recommending to every client of mine,” she said.

For Sierra, it adds immense value to the client relationship to help them think “bigger picture” through SWOT analysis and other frameworks. “I like to know more about what their business is—their mission and story that they’re trying to portray because visually I got to portray that story as well for them,” she explained.

Sierra implores people to be open to change and evolve: “You don’t have to be stuck in a box, you can do whatever,” she said. By way of a recent example, she pointed to joining YouTube and figuring out editing styles along the way as she produces content. “I’m actually doing the things that I wanted to do. I’ve never thought that it was possible. It’s just like, okay, I’m in it and I’m actually doing it. I’m getting paid to travel, to go places that I’ve never been, experience different things, and also doing what I love, which is creating memories for others.”

Sierra is a true example of how adopting a learning mindset—and leveraging available resources—can grow your business in sometimes unexpected ways.

For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.  

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