The City of Charlotte is presently basking in the success of its AMP Up Charlotte program, having just ushered another 11 business owners through the doors of opportunity and into the light of growth and expansion. Participating in the rigorous Streetwise "MBA" curriculum provided by Interise, these entrepreneurs from diverse industries have reportedly notched up their game. According to a report by Charlotte's Economic Development Department, these go-getters are part of the ninth cohort to have benefitted from the curriculum designed for scaling their business endeavors.
Graduate Tori Wenz of CLT Tours, a Charlotte-based limo and chauffeur service, spoke to the transformative nature of the program. "Since joining AMP Up Charlotte, I’ve seen significant shifts in how I approach my business, especially when it comes to diversification and long-term strategy," Wenz told Charlotte's Economic Development Department. Adding credence to their growth, Wenz's company has managed to boost its revenue streams and resilience in an unpredictable market by introducing two new shuttle buses to serve a wider client base, including services like corporate events and airport shuttles.
The other graduates from the ninth cohort, touted for their ventures' growth potential, come from various sectors such as food and beverage, laundry services, cleaning, printing, and education, including Felipe Alvarez of Miro Spanish Grille and Vania Love of Journey 5:11 Academy. In a ceremony held at Brewers At 4001 Yancey on March 6, these business owners were celebrated in the company of their families and past program alumni. They've joined the ranks of those who have seen, on average, a 35% growth in revenue after completing the program - a stat reported by the City of Charlotte's Economic Development Department.
The AMP Up program boasts not just the mentoring and business development training it provides, also the strategic relationships it fosters with larger corporations. A hundred percent of the recent graduates would recommend the program, and 77% have a strategic growth action plan they are actively pursuing. Given these success markers, the city is gearing up to recruit business owners for the upcoming Cohort 11."
Entrepreneurs keen on participating in the next cycle can line up their applications soon, as the City of Charlotte has announced they will be opening recruitment for AMP Up Cohort 11 in the ensuing months. For those interested, information and application procedures are available on the AMP Up website or by reaching out to Anika Ellis ([email protected]) at the Economic Development Department for any queries.
