Three local minority business owners were recognized by the City of Greenville and Greenville Utilities Commission Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) on Thursday morning during a breakfast held as part of Minority Enterprise Development Week.
Arthur Wallace, owner of the Gold Post Cafe, received the Standing on the Shoulders of Giants Award that celebrates a visionary business owner who has broken barriers, overcome significant challenges, and serves as a role model in their field. Wallace opened the Gold Post Cafe in 2009 after retiring as the owner of a successful wood restoration business.
"My advice to anyone thinking about starting a business is do something that you love," Wallace said. "If you do something that you love, it is easier to be good at it. And, it doesn't even feel like work when you are doing something that you are passionate about."
April Kelly was recognized for exceptional innovation, creativity, and problem-solving with the Rising Trailblazer Award. Kelly is the CEO of Sure!, a plant-based infant formula company that has an allergen-centric approach. Kelly works closely with universities to produce the product that helps moms to introduce allergens early and decrease the risk of a child developing allergies later in life.
"We have been in Greenville since our start about five years ago," Kelly said. "During those five years, we have done a lot of building of our team and expanding to work with universities such as East Carolina University, N.C. State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. We are excited to say that our product is set to hit the market later this year."
The MWBE Excellence Award was presented to Infinity McCassling, owner of Beyond Elite Dance Company. The award honors a business that is making a significant impact in the community. At Beyond Elite, McCassling provides a variety of dance options to underserved youth. She is preparing to begin services through the South Greenville Recreation Center in the coming months.
"These children are amazing," McCassling said. "These children are passionate about being better, and Beyond Elite is the outlet that helps them be better."
More information about the Minority and Women Business Enterprise is available here.