Dachell Davis slings books and specialty coffee through her business Double Chocolate Press. She’s a recent grad of the 6888 Kitchen Incubator’s Sharpen the Axe cohort with dreams for a brick-and-mortar space.
Read on to learn more about her journey
My name is Dachell Davis and my company is Double Chocolate Press. I am a self published author of three devotional books, as well as several planners and custom lined journals. In addition, I have a specialty coffee business. Working with a local roaster, I am able to provide fresh, uniquely flavored coffee to my customers. My goal is to open a coffee shop and bookstore with an ambiance that draws patrons in to enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with a vibe that welcomes you and encourages you to stay a while to indulge in great coffee and read a good book. My space will be somewhere people want to come to network or just people watch and relax. The bookstore area will also carry various other products from local small businesses.
I had been writing my devotional books for years and had done nothing with them until COVID hit and gave me plenty of time to reflect. I was introduced to the right people at the right time that could help me with my book concept. So I self published the first book, “From Tears to Fearless” in 2021. The second that third books followed in the 2022 and 2023 respectively.
In October of 2022, I unexpectedly stopped working my full time job of 12 years. Being that I was an avid coffee drinker and maker for the office, my co-workers requested that I continue to mix coffee for them, and they offered to pay me for it! This began the search for a wholesale coffee distributor which I came upon relatively quickly at an outdoor market. From there, I started vending at craft markets and other events with my books AND coffee., eventually expanding to other coffee-related products as well. Recently I added a specialty tea to the mix upon the request of a few friends and customers!
Double Chocolate Press was born out of my love of books and coffee! When I was just writing and collecting my devotional messages, I knew that I couldn’t NOT do something more with them. God told me to tell my story many years ago, so I knew this would be the beginning. And the coffee fell in so naturally, that I knew it was destined to be part of my business plans as well.
YES! I wanted to build a business with my sisters when I was younger. We all had very distinctive talents that I just knew would work well together in a business. It never seemed we could get on one accord, as life took us all into different places and work spaces. Double Chocolate Press is actually my second attempt at a small business. But this one is sticking. The way doors are opening and opportunities are presenting themselves, I know I am on the right path now.
People first has always been a part of who I am. I love to help others and solve problems. Even to something as small as making the perfect cup of coffee. When a customer walks away smiling and sipping on their brew, it makes my day!
Removing barriers to me is a way of life. I will find a way! I also believe in collaborating for greater impact and outside-the-box solutions.
My first business trained me to understand that finding your niche is one of the most important parts of entrepreneurship. Once you find your customers and lock in, it is easier to cater to their specific wants and needs.
And on a more personal note, my life has been on the job training for the entrepreneur lifestyle. I have been learning to pivot and reposition myself for many years. As a teen mother, I worked several jobs while I went to college to provide for myself and my son. I had to embody the spirit of “never give up” so that we could live a decent life. There is always something that will come to try and drag you down, but at the end of the day you have to GET UP. Make changes where needed and more forward. Stay focused. Stay Positive.
I think my biggest barrier on this journey is finances. I have such grand ideas and they cost! But I know that my time is coming and help is on the way. I keep getting confirmation from random people and situations that let me know, I am on the way to my dreams!
I love what I do because it is where my passion lies. I love to encourage and inspire people to find their greatness and define the life they want to live and go for it! I am a problem solver so every conversation I have with a customer, is a chance for me to make an impact. Sometimes a good word from a stranger can make a real difference in someone’s day. And I choose to make others happy with really great products and good conversation.
My advice for fellow entrepreneurs is to find that thing that makes your heart sing! What do you do or think about each day that you are excited about? Find that. Follow that. Figure out how to monetize it. Educate yourself about it more. Find a mentor. And make a good plan. Then you will never work. You will live your dreams while earning your living!
Connect with Dachell @doublechocolatepress on IG.
For Roxy’s Soul & Spice founder Valerie Kemp, the kitchen is her happy place. She took particular inspiration from Caribbean and Creole cuisines when she launched her business. Valerie is a recent grad of the 6888 Kitchen Incubator’s Sharpen the Axe cohort. (She’s also a lunch vendor at next week’s Launch Dayton Startup Week!)
Read on to learn more about her journey.
Hi, my name is Valerie Kemp. I’m a busy mom of twin boys from Ohio, and I love spending time outdoors, cooking, and entertaining friends and family. I started my own company, Roxy’s Soul & Spice, LLC, in 2020. I named it after my middle name, Roxann, and because I cook with love and spice, inspired by Caribbean and Creole cuisines, using only the freshest ingredients.
My love for attending food truck festivals, farmers’ markets, and cooking inspired me to start my business. After attending the Apple Butter Festival, I realized that I could turn my passion and hobby into a business. I had several taste tests with friends, family, and work associates to get their feedback on possible menu items and dishes.
The encouragement from my sorority sisters inspired me to turn my hobby into a business. They would attend every food truck festival with me, and it was their encouragement that pushed me forward.
Growing up, I never saw many entrepreneurs who looked like me, but as I gained more life experiences, the idea of starting my own business became more tangible. Although it takes a bold person to start a food business, I love what I do and feel it’s my happy place.
Be Bold- Starting a food business takes a bold person. You are opening yourself up for constant critique. Many catering companies do not offer dirty rice, but I offer it as one of my main staples. It’s one dish that best describes Roxy’s Soul & Spice.
My education has been beneficial in helping me prepare menus and other documents needed for advertising. Being a part of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated has helped me network with like-minded women and get possible referrals and give testimonials of my food.
ME! I’m a barrier. I let fear get in the way of me pursuing my dreams. Also, a barrier has been having adequate resources and learning to scale costs. I’ve found that using community resources and programs can be a great help.
Doing what you love feels like something other than work. It’s my happy place. I enjoy making a dish look appetizing as you eat with your eyes first. When I’m having a bad day or if someone needs to be cheered up, going to the kitchen to cook always makes me feel better. It also feeds into a mantra I borrowed from work: feeding the human spirit. The way I do that is from love with food on a plate.
My advice to others would be to “Do it Scared.” You don’t need to wait until everything is perfect to start your business. Utilizing community resources and programs can help you get your business off the ground.
Connect with Valeria @Roxyssoulandspice on FB & IG.
Sharita Person dreams of a world where caregivers receive the support they need to help aging loved ones remain in their homes. Through her company, Aging with Love Co, she is seeking to offer just that. Read on to meet Sharita.
My name is Sharita, and I’m the Owner of Aging with Love Co. I’m an Occupational Therapist Assistant by trade. In my new company, I work to help people not go to nursing homes if they only need a little help. I help caregiver and client learn how to modify their lives to help someone stay home as long as possible.
It was a very rough period in my life when I thought I’d never be happy again with my career. I have always taken care of those who were sick and bed bound, experiencing dementia, and others as well. Before she passed, my aunt made me promise I’d follow my dreams, no more saying “I wish,” but just do it. One day I woke up, called off of work, and started researching how to own and launch a home care company. When Covid hit, it took a while to move in the right direction. I never did stop, I just had to work around and find the right person to assist me with questions.
My simple answer is, one day when we get older, we will need a little help. We don’t want our families to say, we’re putting you in a nursing home, when all we need is help with a shower or company while someone’s at work. If we can educate, train and provide folks with resources, many would still be home. Their caregivers wouldn’t feel exhausted. I want to help families stay together.
I talk about my company’s progress and failures to others. I feel like that is bold. I’m not afraid to walk up to someone and hand out my cards.
I took care of my great grandmother all along. I learned that, at any moment, a small incident could damage a person for life. So I really have that understanding to help my clients.
Funding. I still have to work and plan out how I’ll buy supplies. With my company, I also have to obtain a state of Ohio Medicaid ID. It can take up to 60 days, but once I get that number, I can start getting referrals from the state.
Imagine seeing someone that was dependent, not able to take care of themselves or move without assistance. Then you work with them daily for several months, and one day this person gets to go home. It’s the best feeling in the world to give a person their life back.
Make sure you’ve prayed about becoming an owner of anything. Trust your heart, keep negative people away, trust the process, develop a long term goal and a short term goal that you know is reachable, and never rush.
Need to clear out a home or business? Todd Atkinson and his Pack Mule Dumpsters are here to help.
The veteran-owned company provides roll-off dumpster rentals and waste disposal services across the Dayton, Cincinnati, and Springfield regions. Read on the learn more and meet Todd.
Hey there, I’m Todd Atkinson, and I’m excited to introduce you to Pack Mule Dumpster Rentals, a company I’ve poured my heart into to serve the Dayton, Cincinnati, and Springfield, Ohio areas.
Having spent years in the environmental services industry, I’ve seen the need for a waste management solution that’s not only efficient but also affordable. That’s where Pack Mule comes in. Our goal is simple: to make waste management hassle-free and accessible for everyone.
As I gained experience in the environmental services industry, I saw opportunities to provide more accessible and customer-friendly waste management solutions. This led me to found Pack Mule Dumpster Rentals. So, while I may not have started with a clear entrepreneurial path, the desire to make a positive impact on my community ultimately guided me to where I am today.
“All Are Welcome” aligns perfectly with our philosophy – everyone, from customers to community organizations, receives the same inclusive and welcoming treatment. And by prioritizing relationships and exceeding expectations, we hold true to the “People First” value. Our “Remove Barriers” commitment extends to providing easily accessible and transparent services, ensuring that anyone can efficiently manage waste without obstacles.
My background in the environmental services industry provided me with insights into the needs of our community. This understanding, coupled with my dedication to excellence, fuels my drive to deliver top-notch customer service and practical solutions.
One of the most significant barriers I’ve encountered is the perception that dumpster rental services are a mere transactional business. Breaking through this perception and emphasizing our commitment to exceptional customer service and community contribution has been a rewarding but challenging journey.
What I love most about what I do is the tangible impact we make on our community and environment. Knowing that our services contribute to cleaner spaces and more organized surroundings is truly rewarding.
I’d say first and foremost, believe in yourself and your vision. The journey is filled with challenges, but self-belief fuels resilience.
Shop and celebrate Black-owned businesses this Saturday, Aug. 26 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Downtown Black Business Hop!
The event is part of the annual Gem City Black Business Month.
“We are thrilled to partner to bring this Downtown Black Business Hop to life!” Launch Dayton Communications Manager Audrey Ingram said. “Launch Dayton partners are committed to building a community that breaks down barriers and supports all entrepreneurs. This Gem City Black Business Month collaboration is a fun way to do just that. Come on out to eat, shop, groove and support our Black-owned businesses!”
Start your hop at After5, 111 E. Third St. in the Fire Blocks District. Register for a raffle to win free Downtown Dollars, and pick up a map of participating Black Business Hop locations and vendors. Several pop-up vendors will be along the route, as well as downtown’s brick-and-mortar businesses.
“Black-owned businesses are thriving in Downtown Dayton, and the Downtown Dayton Black Business Hop is a day to highlight and celebrate each and every one of them,” Alaina Geres, Director of Economic Development at the Downtown Dayton Partnership, said. “There are 62 different businesses participating in the event, including 21 shops in the Second Street Market and 9 pop-up vendors hosted by Fire Blocks District businesses.”
Greater Dayton RTA is providing a free shuttle to help visitors patronize as many businesses as possible. Also catch live entertainment at Third Perk Coffeehouse, 146 E. Third St. in the Fire Blocks District, during your day of support and shopping.
The Downtown Black Business Hop is one of several events on the 2023 Gem City Black Business Month calndar. The annual campaign supports Black entrepreneurs and helps connect them with resources to further grow their businesses. Find more events and information on Launch Dayton’s website.
Aviatra Accelerators, the Greater West Dayton Incubator, Parallax Advanced Research’s Launch Dayton team, Downtown Dayton Partnership and Shop Black Biz Dayton are proud supporters of the Downtown Black Business Hop.
Cornerstone Research Group and Freedom Atlantic are teaming up to advance battery technology to support the warfighter.
The strategic relationship was facilitated by Rushlight Ventures. CRG will leverage its expertise in Li-metal battery cells to tailor low-temperature Li-metal battery cell chemistry specifically for Freedom Atlantic’s high-energy multiband inter/intra-team radio and small tactical universal batteries.
“We are thrilled to join forces with Freedom Atlantic to push the boundaries of battery technology for defense applications,” CRG Vice President of Power Systems Brian Henslee said. This proprietary technology allows the battery cells to operate under extreme environmental conditions and extended equipment run time to significantly enhance defense capabilities and support critical battlefield operations.
Under the Memorandum Of Understanding, Freedom Atlantic will exclusively manufacture and distribute MBITR and STUB battery packs using CRG’s advanced battery cell chemistry. This collaboration aligns with Department of Defense efforts in energy storage and batteries to mitigate supply chain risks and leverage the commercial industry
“Our partnership represents a significant step toward securing a robust battery supply chain, meeting warfighter needs, and bolstering national security,” CRG President Chris Hemmelgarn said.
Freedom Atlantic’s dedication to delivering real-world solutions, combined with CRG’s pioneering research and development in aerospace systems, advanced manufacturing, power and energy, medical and sensors, and hypersonic systems, creates a powerful partnership for addressing the nation’s defense requirements.
“We are excited to partner with CRG to deliver innovative battery solutions to our DoD customers,” Freedom Atlantic Chief Technology Officer Ken Jillson said. “With CRG’s advanced battery cell technology, we can provide real-world solutions that overcome the unique challenges when operating in extreme temperature environments.”
Through this partnership, CRG and Freedom Atlantic aim to strengthen the U.S. battery strategy, optimize defense capabilities, and reinforce the nation’s position as a leader in battery technology.
For more information about Freedom Atlantic, please visit their website at freedom-atlantic.com. To learn more about Cornerstone Research Group and their diverse portfolio of solutions, visit crgrp.com.
When Kylee Kussman’s doctor told her she would need injections for the rest of her life to deal with her skin condition, she sought another path. She changed her diet and began juicing — and two years later, the Nourishing Souls Juice Bar food truck hit the streets!
We recently caught up with Kylee to learn more about her entrepreneur journey.
My name is Kylee! I am a mother of two beautiful kids who inspire me to be my absolute best daily! And I am the owner and creator of Nourishing Souls Mobile Juice Bar. I strive to make make healthy food that’s nutritionally dense and tastes delicious!
I started juicing in 2020 and documented my journey online. Then I started juicing for friends and family. After that, it kind of just blew up (in the best possible way)! So in 2022, I made things official with a food truck and a LLC!
Food IS medicine! I was able to heal my own autoimmune psoriasis and IBS through daily juicing and diet change! I was so grateful to not be living in a miserable, painful state anymore that I vowed to share my story and light with the world.
No, but becoming an entrepreneur is hands down one of the best things that has happened to me.
Nourishing Souls removes barriers to make healthy food and juice accessible. If you compare our prices to any other juice bar in the area, ours are significantly lower for a reason. We want to make sure everyone can enjoy and afford our HEALING products.
I think healing my psoriasis really prepared me for entrepreneurship because it showed me perseverance and how resilient I am as a person. While I was healing my autoimmune disease, I had so many people doubt me. My own dermatologist swore up and down I’d be stuck with this condition my entire life without the help of monthly injections. Throughout this long and hard journey, giving up was never an option for me. There are definitely some bad or slow weeks in entrepreneurship, but that’s where you have to get creative with it.
Money was my biggest barrier for getting started on my entrepreneur journey. I ended up maxing out every credit card I owned to get my food truck up and running. I wish I had the knowledge back then to take a loan out in my business’s name instead of my personal. Rookie mistake.
I absolutely LOVE what I do. I have so much fun meeting new people and being able to share my love for healthy eating and living. My favorite thing to do is experiment with new flavors and just deliver juice that is fresh, flavorful, and unique!
Don’t let anyone discourage you from doing what you know in your heart you can do! Even if you don’t succeed at first, you have gained experience and know what you need to work on to make it work.
Brothers Barry and Beck Besecker launched 3D Cloud by Marxent a decade ago with a little whiskey and a bet. Today, the company is a leader in Augmented Reality and 3D product visualization. The cutting-edge tech makes it possible for consumers to “see” online products or fixtures in their own homes and spaces.
Next month, Barry will be speaking at Launch Dayton Startup Week Presented by Fifth Third Bank. Read on for a sneak peek, then snag your ticket!
Jason Adams is here to help businesses navigate the ever-changing digital marketing landscape through his new company, Unparallel.
We first met Jason at a Startup Week conference. Recently, he quit his day job to work full-time in Unparallel, and we are so excited for him! We caught up with him recently to learn more about his journey.
I’m Jason Adams, CEO of Unparallel LLC, a passionate digital marketing agency driving growth and success for businesses in the manufacturing, technology, and services industries. I have an experienced background in digital marketing and a strong entrepreneurial spirit. I founded Unparallel with a vision to deliver data-driven strategies, marketing automation, and omni-channel excellence. We are nimble, embrace and leverage change, and push boundaries to help our clients better communicate, measure, and achieve their goals.
After a few years of leading some major projects for various digital marketing agencies, I decided to work directly for one of my clients. In that time, I started to build a side hustle and take on freelance work. A year ago, I decided to take on even more, and build it up to a point where I could quit my day job and dedicate myself full time. That moment happened just recently!
The idea behind Unparallel was born out of a strong belief in humanizing how we do business digitally. Some agencies were just resistant to digital. Some were so well-established in traditional marketing efforts that they ignored digital strategies or actively treated them as a threat. Other agencies were so digital that they lost sight of (or perhaps never really knew) the people involved in their clients’ business, especially their target customers. Unparallel is a response to the rapidly changing environment that many businesses face when their own processes are becoming more digitized and efficient. There is a need for marketing and sales to be able to translate their processes, systems, and values to a digital landscape, and Unparallel helps to usher these businesses into their next evolution.
Not always. I learned that my career was based on seeking what I should have been attracting. I wanted to work somewhere that prioritizes people, values diversity, and cultivates an inclusive and supportive environment for all. That requires an attitude that prioritizes change, challenges standards, and embeds accountability in each process. I thought I had to suggest change. Then I believed I had to fight for change. And now, I believe that I must be the change, and that can only happen if I manifest it as an entrepreneur.
Be bold: We embrace innovative approaches and fearlessly explore new strategies to stay ahead in the ever-evolving digital marketing landscape.
All are welcome: We foster an inclusive and diverse environment. We welcome clients and team members from all backgrounds, ensuring their voices are heard and valued.
People first: We have a knack for being able to tie together digital tactics with the real world. Many agencies are full of career marketers, and as a result, they lack a sense of being grounded.
Give first: We believe in giving back to our community and industry, sharing our knowledge, insights, and support to help others succeed.
Remove barriers: We are dedicated to streamlining processes, providing clear communication, and eliminating obstacles, making it seamless for clients to access and benefit from our services. We invite all perspectives to improve our processes and biases.
Being in poverty for several years developed a strong root system in my understanding of the world. Living in what others fear gives you a certain strength and conviction in your values. Having an understanding of the system and its flaws has shaped those values and allows me to feel confident that I can act ethically and consistently.
I am realizing that I do not often dwell on the past, or reflect on how or why I made it here today. I bounce between wanting to give myself credit and checking my privilege. I’ll just say that, if you are waiting on someone to help you, then all you have is luck and you can’t rely on that.
Patience with my own vision. I wanted to start out with a well-experienced and trusted team. But it takes a long time to build a business, and if you want the best people, you have to respect that they deserve more than an idea and trust. That was a difficult barrier I faced, because although I knew that if we all worked together the results would come faster and they would be of a higher caliber, I had to learn patience and slowly build something that would be more reliable for them to be able to join me.
I recharge by connecting with other people. I discovered that I bring value to a group whenever we all have a challenge to overcome. It makes me feel good about myself to work with others, find their strengths, and leverage those strengths in order to solve problems and reach goals. This fills my cup.
Actively listen to your clients and colleagues. They will help you create new pathways in your mind that will make you better.
The Launch Dayton program has been amazing. I would recommend this to anybody, especially since its free.
Connect with Jason online and on social media @go.unparallel.
The annual pitch competition at this year’s Launch Dayton Startup Week Presented by Fifth Third Bank will feature a whopping $22,500 in cash prizes sponsored by the Entrepreneurs’ Center.
Launch Dayton Startup Week draws hundreds of attendees each year to celebrate, inspire and empower the Dayton region’s startup founders & business owners. The week-long, free conference offers high-quality talks, hands-on business workshops and vibrant networking opportunities.
This year, the pitch competition is powered by the Entrepreneurs’ Center (EC).
“The EC is thrilled to sponsor the pitch competition this year at Startup Week. The caliber of pitches and talent in the Dayton region is impressive, and we want to acknowledge that by awarding a larger cash prize that could really move the needle for a startup,” said Lauren Tiffan, AVP of Entrepreneurial Programs at the EC.
This year’s pitch competition is Wednesday, Sept. 13 at 4:30p.m. in the Tank at the Dayton Arcade, 35 W 4th St., Dayton.
Six startups will compete. The first place winner will take home $15K. Second place will take home $5K. And the crowd favorite will take home $2,500.
The innovation-focused competition is geared toward technology-based companies that are developing intellectual property and want to scale their business broadly to sell beyond the greater Dayton region.
Apply to pitch by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27. Selected founders will be notified by Sept. 1.
Launch Dayton Startup Week is made possible thanks to title sponsor Fifth Third Bank, as well as platinum sponsors Parallax Advanced Research, Entrepreneurs’ Center, Mile Two, and McGohan Brabender. This year’s event will be fully in-person and will be held in the historic Dayton Arcade and The Hub Powered by PNC. The lineup will feature 50+ speakers across more than 60 sessions.
We are also teaming up with Sportcial to make this year’s conference our most vibrant and interactive yet.
Check out full conference details + snag your free ticket here.
31 S. Main St.
Dayton, OH 45402
[email protected]Get Directions
