Regions Foundation Community Partnership: Something Sew Right
The Regions Foundation, primarily funded by Regions Bank, partners with PeopleFund to support entrepreneurs through the Small Business Accelerator Program in Texas. The article highlights Lilye Lavender, founder of Laveña Luxe Interiors in Austin, who participated in the eight-week program. Under the guidance of PeopleFund advisor Anthony Lopez, Lavender received coaching on marketing, strategic growth, and access to capital. The program helped her scale her custom drapery business, which she launched in March 2023 after transitioning from corporate work and fashion school. The partnership demonstrates PeopleFund's commitment to empowering entrepreneurs with business insights and resources for sustainable growth.
La Fondazione Regions, principalmente finanziata da Regions Bank, collabora con PeopleFund per supportare gli imprenditori attraverso il Programma di Accelerazione per Piccole Imprese in Texas. L'articolo mette in evidenza Lilye Lavender, fondatrice di Laveña Luxe Interiors ad Austin, che ha partecipato al programma della durata di otto settimane. Sotto la guida dell'advisor di PeopleFund Anthony Lopez, Lavender ha ricevuto formazione su marketing, crescita strategica e accesso al capitale. Il programma l'ha aiutata a espandere la sua attività di tende personalizzate, avviata a marzo 2023 dopo un passaggio dal lavoro corporate e dalla scuola di moda. La collaborazione dimostra l'impegno di PeopleFund nel potenziare gli imprenditori con informazioni aziendali e risorse per una crescita sostenibile.
La Fundación Regions, financiada principalmente por Regions Bank, se asocia con PeopleFund para apoyar a los emprendedores a través del Programa Acelerador de Pequeñas Empresas en Texas. El artículo destaca a Lilye Lavender, fundadora de Laveña Luxe Interiors en Austin, quien participó en el programa de ocho semanas. Bajo la orientación del asesor de PeopleFund, Anthony Lopez, Lavender recibió formación en marketing, crecimiento estratégico y acceso a capital. El programa le ayudó a escalar su negocio de cortinas personalizadas, que lanzó en marzo de 2023 tras una transición de su trabajo corporativo y de la escuela de moda. La asociación demuestra el compromiso de PeopleFund de empoderar a los emprendedores con conocimientos empresariales y recursos para un crecimiento sostenible.
Regions 은행이 주로 자금을 지원하는 Regions Foundation은 텍사스의 소기업 가속기 프로그램을 통해 기업가를 지원하기 위해 PeopleFund와 협력합니다. 이 기사는 오스틴에서 Laveña Luxe Interiors의 창립자인 Lilye Lavender를 강조합니다. 그녀는 8주 프로그램에 참여했습니다. PeopleFund의 고문인 Anthony Lopez의 지도 아래, Lavender는 마케팅, 전략적 성장 및 자본 접근에 대한 코칭을 받았습니다. 이 프로그램은 그녀가 2023년 3월 회사 업무와 패션 학교에서 전환한 후 시작한 맞춤형 커튼 사업을 확장하는 데 도움을 주었습니다. 이 파트너십은 기업가들에게 비즈니스 통찰력과 지속 가능한 성장을 위한 자원을 제공하겠다는 PeopleFund의 약속을 보여줍니다.
La Fondation Regions, principalement financée par Regions Bank, s'associe à PeopleFund pour soutenir les entrepreneurs à travers le Programme d'Accélérateur pour Petites Entreprises au Texas. L'article met en avant Lilye Lavender, fondatrice de Laveña Luxe Interiors à Austin, qui a participé au programme de huit semaines. Sous la direction de l'expert de PeopleFund, Anthony Lopez, Lavender a reçu des conseils en marketing, croissance stratégique et accès au capital. Ce programme l'a aidée à développer son entreprise de rideaux sur mesure, qu'elle a lancée en mars 2023 après avoir quitté son emploi dans le monde de l'entreprise et à l'école de mode. Ce partenariat démontre l'engagement de PeopleFund à permettre aux entrepreneurs de disposer d'informations commerciales et de ressources pour une croissance durable.
Die Regions Foundation, die hauptsächlich von der Regions Bank finanziert wird, arbeitet mit PeopleFund zusammen, um Unternehmer durch das Small Business Accelerator Program in Texas zu unterstützen. Der Artikel hebt Lilye Lavender hervor, die Gründerin von Laveña Luxe Interiors in Austin, die am achtwöchigen Programm teilgenommen hat. Unter der Anleitung des PeopleFund-Beraters Anthony Lopez erhielt Lavender Coaching in den Bereichen Marketing, strategisches Wachstum und Zugang zu Kapital. Das Programm half ihr, ihr maßgeschneidertes Vorhanggeschäft zu skalieren, das sie im März 2023 nach dem Übergang von der Unternehmenswelt und der Modeschule gegründet hatte. Die Partnerschaft zeigt das Engagement von PeopleFund, Unternehmer mit geschäftlichen Einblicken und Ressourcen für nachhaltiges Wachstum zu empowern.
- Business is experiencing strong growth due to Austin's expanding market
- Successfully transformed from startup to fully operational in two months
- Receiving ongoing business mentorship for 2-3 years post-program completion
- Risk of too rapid growth potentially affecting business stability
- Initial self-funding limitations requiring additional capital for equipment
- Operating at capacity with late-night work schedules indicating potential scaling challenges
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / November 5, 2024 / Regions Bank
Discover how Regions Foundation and PeopleFund collaborated to empower an entrepreneur to seamlessly make her mark.
By Kim Borges
Some people have a personal champion. Lilye Lavender has an entire cheer block.
"My maternal grandmother told me, ‘You're the American dream we came here for; you're my American dream,'" said Lavender.
Other members of the entrepreneur's pep squad? Lavender's paternal grandmother, her parents - and the latest addition, PeopleFund small-business advisor Anthony Lopez.
The two met in August when Lavender, the founder and head drapery fabricator of Laveña Luxe Interiors in Austin, Texas, began PeopleFund's Small Business Accelerator Program. The nonprofit's eight-week program, which supports under-resourced entrepreneurs across the Lone Star State, is open to everyone. The Regions Foundation, a nonprofit primarily funded by Regions Bank, is a longtime PeopleFund community partner.
"PeopleFund empowers entrepreneurs with valuable business insights and the confidence to start, scale and grow their companies," said Marta Self, executive director of the Regions Foundation. "The Small Business Accelerator Program's impact extends beyond providing tools, resources and support; it creates a road map allowing small-business owners to chart their own path to success."
During each Small Business Accelerator cohort, Lopez personally coaches students like Lavender on marketing, strategic growth, access to capital and more. Lavender, who initially invested her own funds to get Laveña Luxe off the ground, discovered the PeopleFund program online and applied to help scale her company.
The Small Business Accelerator Program's impact extends beyond providing tools, resources and support; it creates a road map allowing small-business owners to chart their own path to success.
Marta Self, executive director of the Regions Foundation
"Once you start a sewing business, you need machines, you need equipment," explained Lavender, who makes drapes, shades, pillows, cushions and light upholstery and works directly with interior designers. "You can't make drapes if you don't have the right tools. I knew I had a good plan; I just needed more machines."
Lavender's introduction to sewing came early.
"Both of my grandmothers sewed their own clothes," she said. "They showed me how to hand sew pants. Early on, I was awful at it; but I always had an interest."
Lavender's family also inspired her work ethic and small-business passion.
"My maternal grandparents came to the U.S. from Mexico a year before I was born," she said. "I've always seen their hustle. I also received a lot of guidance from my parents, who ran a restaurant. My dad still owns two convenience stores. I've tried to learn from everyone's experience."
After graduating from Texas State University with a degree in Psychology, Lavender worked for six years in the corporate world - six long years.
"I dreaded waking up every day," she said. "I just never felt like I had something to show for the work I was doing."
I wanted to learn sewing from the ground up.
Lilye Lavender, owner of Laveña Luxe Interiors
In 2020, Lavender began sewing and selling custom facemasks to help meet the pandemic need. With demand skyrocketing for her unique designs from social media posts and knowing she wanted to pursue a small-business path, Lavender enrolled in fashion school in 2021.
"I wanted to learn sewing from the ground up," she said.
In March 2023, Lavender launched Laveña Luxe, renovating her garage into a full sewing studio and becoming fully operational in just two months. She hasn't stopped sewing since.
"There are a lot of late nights," Lavender said. "There are so many people moving to Austin, business is absolutely booming in this space."
So much so, a key area Lopez has helped her with is one you might not expect.
"Lilye's strong understanding of her business model meant we could explore the greatest risk for her business, which is having too much growth too quickly," said Lopez. "We've discussed growing her business organically; she understands the risk of rapid growth."
Anthony taught me knowing my numbers matters. He's encouraged me to pay attention to where I was making money, understanding my hourly rate and the nitty gritty details.
Lilye Lavender
That's just the beginning of what Lavender has learned from Lopez.
"Anthony is such a numbers guy in the way he looks at businesses, but he's also creative in seeing what makes them special," she said. "He's really got an eye for both. Anthony taught me knowing my numbers matters. He's encouraged me to pay attention to where I was making money, understanding my hourly rate and the nitty gritty details."
Lavender also appreciates the broader business perspective PeopleFund's classes provide.
"There were so many things that opened my eyes," she said. "The presenters were able to talk on a level we all understood and did an amazing job of making sure everyone's questions were answered. I was surprised at how much information they were able to cram into each two-hour session. No time was ever wasted. I got everything I wanted out of this program - and more."
Lavender, now a Small Business Accelerator Program alumna, will continue to work with Lopez regularly the next two to three years. She knows the connection will continue to pay dividends for her and for Laveña Luxe.
"We've got to keep up with each other even after that," Lavender said. "Anthony was just the perfect person to come into my world for this. I'm so glad I was paired with him."
Meet more PeopleFund entrepreneurs who have worked with Anthony Lopez:
About Regions Foundation:
The Alabama-based Region Foundation supports community investments that positively impact communities served by Regions Bank. The Foundation engages in a grantmaking program focused on priorities including economic and community development; education and workforce readiness; and financial wellness. The Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation funded primarily through contributions from Regions Bank. To learn more about the Regions Foundation visit www.regions.com/foundation.
About PeopleFund
PeopleFund is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution, an SBA lender and the managing member of the Veteran Loan Fund. Established in 1994, PeopleFund has 30 years of experience helping thousands on the path to financial security. PeopleFund programs support entrepreneurs from all backgrounds with the capital, training and resources needed to grow healthy small businesses. Since inception, PeopleFund has delivered over
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Contact Info:
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SOURCE: Regions Bank
View the original press release on accesswire.com
FAQ
What support does the Regions Foundation provide through PeopleFund's Small Business Accelerator Program?
How has Laveña Luxe Interiors benefited from the PeopleFund partnership?
What are the main challenges facing Laveña Luxe Interiors in Austin's market?
