Dave Willett and Steve Meka, owners of STEM
Handmade Soaps in the Market Hall, were instrumental
in curating the concept for The Corner.
“Jason Russell the former marketing coordinator for
the District approached us to see if we would assist with
building a business model for the concept,” says Willett.
“We worked closely with him on bringing The Corner to
life, but its operations have since been independent –
though there has been an ongoing close partnership with
the Initiative.”
“The mission,” he says, “is to provide microbusiness
owners an opportunity to showcase their
products and build their brands in an environment where
they learn from and collaborate with other local makers.”
The learning and collaborating aren’t haphazard.
Silvia Iorio, the District’s new marketing coordinator,
has retooled the program to include an educational
component, turning the Van Aken District into a
classroom of sorts.
“This doesn't take away from the many resources
for entrepreneurs that are available in Northeast Ohio,”
says Iorio. “We instead work with these resources by
inviting them to the District. To a degree, we offer
a syllabus with coursework. Or we might tell our
entrepreneurs, ‘Hey, the Urban League is offering
a workshop on business planning that might
interest you.’”
An entrepreneur can take a 30-, 60-, or 90-day
option on The Corner. Two of the current rotating
businesses at The Corner that participated in the
Entrepreneurship Initiative are ProWell-Being Teas,
owned by Chanel Prowell, and Mama Bear Bakery,
owned by Emily Tavag.
WWW.SHAKER.LIFE | SPRING 2022 67
Photo: Samantha Wolfram
Photo: Chanel Prowell
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