Ayesha Reynolds and Kelly Brown know it can be tough operating a small business or service out of a home. Before opening the storefront for Homespun Parties + Events at Warehouse Row last summer, the two events coordinators worked out of their homes, local coffee shops and anywhere else they could meet with clients.
Homespun Parties + Events co-owners Ayesha Reynolds, left, and Kelly Brown encourage people to vote for their business in the small business grant program for which they applied. If they are approved for the grant, Reynolds and Brown plan to open an artists’ co-op downtown that functions similarly to the city’s small business incubator.“When we were starting out it was hard to have a good client meeting a coffee shop when you couldn’t really control the environment and other people were listening,” said Brown.
Since they know what it’s like to be in that position, Brown and Reynolds have entered a competition to win a $250,000 small business grant they hope will help them open an artists’ co-op downtown.
“We just want it to be a place where artists can go for a reduced rate to work or meet with clients, similar to the what the [Small Business] Incubator does for businesses, except for artists,” said Reynolds.
Whether clients need to use the co-op as a practice space for a band, a small studio for an artist or a conference room to meet with clients, Brown said the potential space will ideally meet all of those needs.
“The main thing we want to accomplish is to strengthen the artists’ community around us,” said Brown. “We had so much support starting out and we want to perpetuate that.”
Receiving the $250,000 grant provided by Chase and Living Social requires more than just an excellent application. In order for the panel of six well-known small business experts to event review Homespun’s application, they will need at least 250 votes on the competition’s website by the end of June. Brown and Reynolds said they feel confident they will receive the minimum number of votes, but they hope to exceed that number.
“We saw how Chattanooga banded together when Famous Nater’s was in the food truck competition,” said Reynolds. “Chattanooga has so many good things going on and we hope people will feel like they aren’t just voting for us, that they’re voting for Chattanooga.”
If Homespun wins, Brown said the first step in the process of beginning the co-op will be hiring a financial advisor. Then Brown said she and Reynolds will work to find the right building to house the co-op.
“We feel like there’s a real need for this type of project and we’re just trying to meet that need,” she said. “We’re constantly inspired by other people and what they’re doing and we would love to spread that inspiration throughout the community.”
For more information about Homespun Parties + Events visit www.homespunparties.com.