Elevating Founders Stories
Delaware Startup Stories
Sit down with us as we talk with Delaware entrepreneurs who are working to create new opportunities in our communities. Listen to the inspiring journeys that lead them to start their companies, learn from their missteps, receive valuable advice and become inspired by their stories.
Needle Wielders
Discover how Needle Wielders founder Jane Singer combined her passion for sewing and investing to launch her company and patent the Easy Complete Quilt Templates—innovative tools designed to help people finally finish their sewing projects. Jane is on a mission to eliminate UFOs (Un-Finished Objects) worldwide and to share her deep love for the art of sewing with makers everywhere.
Cherné Altovise
Cherné Altovise, founder of Cherné, takes pride in creating accessories for the everyday fashion icon while inspiring young children and young adults with the message that it’s never too early to know and pursue your dreams. Discover how Cherné began making jewelry and accessories at just 10 years old and has since grown into a creative powerhouse and dedicated philanthropist. Learn more about her journey and how she continues to craft products with integrity—pieces that tell a story, hold meaning, and create lasting memories.
TFL Tech Inc.
TFL Tech Inc. founder Sanjay Chafale reflects on the company’s 25-year journey, highlighting its innovative product portfolio and recent U.S. launch in Delaware. TFL Tech is a forward-thinking technology firm committed to transforming the banking industry through cutting-edge software and powerful digital solutions.
Mountaineer Logistics
Mountaineer Logistics, founded by Khary DeWitt, is a trusted full-service logistics organization committed to customer satisfaction through personalized, reliable freight solutions. The company provides both local courier services and nationwide freight transportation, helping clients reduce costs and simplify operations by streamlining freight quotes and optimizing shipments. Khary is also focused on leading the way toward becoming one of Delaware’s first zero-emissions logistics companies, while giving back to the community where he lives, works, and raises his family.
The Cottage by Monarch
In this inspiring video, co-founders Devin Johnson Carroll and Dawn Johnson share the heartfelt journey behind creating The Cottage by Monarch and launching The Monarch Movement. They open up about their personal challenges, the obstacles they’ve overcome, and the powerful motivations that led them to build a safe, empowering space for women. Through their stories, they reveal how they’re fostering a community where women can come together, support one another, and achieve their fullest potential.
God’s Green EarthRX
Founder of God’s Green Earth (@godsgreenearthrx) and Certified Holistic Nutritionist, Nikita Thomas, is dedicated to working with clients to bring them healing and happiness. Local entrepreneur Nikita started her business to help heal unnecessary suffering through natural remedies.
Breathe Clean
Are you worried about your indoor air quality, especially with large gatherings around the holiday? Founder of Breathe Clean, Samar Kargbo, shared what inspired him launch a business focused around indoor air quality and its effects on our health and well-being. With the majority of time spent inside your home or your place of business, the quality of your indoor air is of the utmost importance. Learn how Breathe Clean air purification services are improving lives.
Green Box Kitchen
Project Director Jason Aviles and Construction Manager John Naughton sat down with us share how Wilmington Green Box and Green Box Kitchen are bringing entrepreneurial job opportunities to at-risk teens and healthy food options to the more than 65 percent of Wilmington residents that live more than a half-mile away from the nearest grocery store.
ArtzScape
ArtzScape is a Black owned and operated innovative performance and event space for those that prefer an intimate setting located in downtown Wilmington, Delaware. Hear how owner, Connie Drummond, became a playwright and turned her passions into a creative place for local and national artists to share and develop their talents.
Flux Creative Consulting
In 2020, in the midst of a global pandemic and a nation grappling with centuries of injustice, co-owners Jonathan Whitney and Eliza Jarvis founded Flux Creative Consulting for companies and organizations searching for authentic ways to create a path forward. Flux delivers holistic and stress-free programming design, consultation, and a variety of support services such as in-house live streaming that can broaden and support your team. Based out of Wilmington, Delaware.
Figueroa Collectibles
Learn how Figueroa Collectibles founded by Jonathan Figueroa is expertly curating collectibles for hobbyist, investors, and collectors.
Network Connect
Hear how Network Connect’s two founders, Erin Hutt and Cierra Hall-Hipkins, are making an impact on Wilmington’s youth by providing programing, resources and support focused on mental health, gun violence, trauma, and more.
Info Solutions
Hear from managing partners Richard Roux, Mark Olazagasti and William Riley speak to how they started their IT services business, Info Solutions, and kept it growing.
Sleeping Bird Coffee
Learn how two lovebirds Leigh Ann Tona and Zach DeLong went from beverage and food truck owners to coffee shop owners of Sleeping Bird Coffee located next to Wilmington Brew Works and La Pizzeria Metro in Wilmington, Delaware.
TRIC Robotics
2020 Swim with the Sharks Pitch Competition winner and founder of TRIC Robotics, Adam Stager, shares how he took his passion for mechanical engineering and sustainability to create an agriculture robotics technology company in Delaware. He shares how his entrepreneurial journey lead him to developing a customer center non-chemical pesticide solution to treating strawberry farms thanks to the help of his University of Delaware connections and USDA scientists.
Addi Naturals
We talked with Yemina Israel to learn the story behind the personal care brand, Addi Naturals. Yemina shared the “personal care” she takes growing and/or ethically sourcing each individual ingredient to creating personalized products that addresses the health needs of her customers.
FundingFuel, Inc.
Strategist and financier of startups and small businesses Pedro Moore shares his journey of becoming the CEO & Co-Founder of FundingFuel, Inc., and important advice on how to secure investors, drive organic brand awareness, and how to see failure as tuition.
Short Order Production House
Listen to the entrepreneurial journey of Founder and CEO Zach Phillips of Short Order Production House. In this inspiring interview, Zach shares the strategies he used to build the largest video production company in Delaware, lessons he learned along the way, and why he believes being too safe when creating video content can be a costly mistake.
Language Liaisons
Listen to the entrepreneurial journey of Language Liaisons’ Founder and CEO Leah daPonte Lightcap, and her secret weapon … Ireida Grabill. In this upbeat interview, she takes us through the tragedy that inspired her to take action, the calculated risks that paid off, and how her response to the community’s need has been a core value for her company and the culture she is creating.
King Creative
Learn how this former University of Delaware mascot started a full-service video production and audio recording studio, King Creative, that is focused on connecting with your audience. Founder and CEO Christopher Bruce shares how his company has pivoted during the pandemic, a simple way to avoid catastrophic texting mistypes, and how presenting solutions could help solve your own business problems.
Gable Music Ventures
Co-Founders Gayle Dillman and Jeremy Hebbel prove that sometimes in life, and business, you need to remain open to possibilities and unexpected partnerships. As they share Gable Music Ventures’s start-up story you will hear how they maintain a positive relationship with artists, vendors, and patrons that is rooted in integrity and mutual respect. They also share what has enabled their business to easily pivot during the pandemic and what inspired them to produce the “Ladybug Festival,” the largest celebration of women in music nationwide.
Symbiosys Consulting
We had the pleasure of sitting down with the Founder of Symbiosys Consulting, Stewart Belsham to learn the story behind starting his company, why he believes a sense of humor is an important quality for new hires, the importance of having an advisory board, and more! He was also joined by the company’s Business Development Executive Glen Gray.
Cornerstone Health Partners
Hear how Cornerstone Health Partners’ President Anne Weaver and her leadership team have worked together to continue the work and legacy of the company’s founder, Adrian McCullough’s despite challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has presented them with. Watch full-interview to hear their story and takeaway sound advice for building a strong team.
The Growth Coach of Northern Delaware
Watch interview with local business growth expert Bruce Rushton to learn how he turned his passion for helping business owners and leaders fight the “Get Up and Go to Work Syndrom” into his own business. Learn from his journey into entrepreneurship and how he settled on joining a franchise to build his brand.
WhipFlip
Every brand has a story, and today we are excited to talk with our incubator client Roger Clappe, the founder and CEO of WhipFlip about his early beginnings in the automotive industry that led him to becoming an entrepreneur.