Perhaps you have not heard of this amazing gift to our community called LaunchHOLLYSPRINGS or perhaps you have heard of it, but are unaware of the amazing impact it as well as its graduates have had on our Town of Holly Springs.
LaunchHOLLYSPRINGS is a community-based program, chartered by Holly Springs Rotary Club, dedicated to supporting local low-resource entrepreneurs to build successful businesses that enhance our local economy. It features a 4-part program consisting of 10 weeks of classroom instruction, 6 months Mentoring with a local seasoned leader carefully matched to a Mentee’s needs, and provides networking, and access to capital to either jump start a new entrepreneur’ s business or stimulate an existing business looking to enhance its outlook and impact.
It is truly a unique program that has brought together local Holly Springs seasoned business owners and leaders with new local Holly Springs entrepreneurs who all share a common goal of investing in our community. This successful program has had 132 graduates since 2018, and as a testimony to its impact is supported in part by former graduates. The stalwart leader, Bob Shimmel says it perfectly,
“Since our inception in 2018, LaunchHOLLYSPRINGS has successfully helped support Holly Springs small business community with over 90% of our 132 graduates’ businesses continuing to thrive! There are a number of new storefront businesses, and many in-home businesses have moved from part-time to full-time!”
“Since its inception 90% of graduates’ businesses continue to thrive!”
One such business that recently went through the program was Save Point, a traveling retroarcade launched by two passionate partners Adam and Laurean Leigh. For over 20 years they have talked about opening an arcade that is aimed at families and older teenagers. Their business is all about creating a space where people can come together and have fun, inspire community connection playing games together, and creating interactive challenges.
The Leighs were encouraged to apply to LaunchHOLLYSPRINGS from a former graduate.
“The actual experience was wonderful, we had a great mentor, and it really showed us that our dream was possible,” shared Adam Leigh.
As part of the 7th cohort, the Leighs went through a 12-week program, and then six months after the mentorship portion, they graduated and Launched!
Their goal has always been to find a retail location in the village district of Holly Springs, but using advice from Launch, they pivoted their strategy to pursue what was available…a traveling arcade. Laurean shared her perspective on the other side of their first event, “We simply learned a ton by trying, doing, and listening, we have built a support network, made new friends, and ultimately the entire process and just getting out there to make an impact gave us confidence!”
Whether you want to try your skills at an old favorite, a collaborative adventure game, or competitive pinball, they have a great selection. Today their arcade will come to your local business and on August 17, 2024 they will be making their second appearance in downtown Holly Springs at Saturday Night Alive between 4pm and 8pm near The Block on Main.
“Downtown Alive has given us the opportunity through our mobile arcade to keep learning and we are simply grateful to be a part of the mission to make it easy and attractive for residents to connect and support local businesses.”
While the Leighs are eager to speak with any property owners that have a retail location for them, you can find them in the meantime managing High Scores at Saturday Night Alive!
“The entire process and just getting out there to make an impact gave us confidence!”
The Leighs are just one of several LaunchHOLLYSPRINGS graduates with businesses operating in the village district. We encourage you to check out other businesses from past cohorts below. We also encourage local entrepreneurs to apply for the next cohort and local seasoned business leaders to apply to be a mentor. It’s a great way to engage and be a part of our vibrant hub.
Other LaunchHOLLYSPRINGS businesses operating within or having business offices in the Village District include:
- Silverlake Construction, Nicole Meggerson de Martinez
- Artful JEM Healing, Jenny McAllister
- Body Restoration Massage and Bodywork, Eddie Summers
- Bridgewater, Tara Parker
- Butterfly Holistics, Valerie Remhoff
- DeNome Alliances Counseling Center and Sarah Madras Leadership Coaching, Sarah Madras
- Holly Springs Holistic Acupuncture, Tory Hendrix
- Peek a Boo Grins, Rachel Dahler