Tag Archives: Greater Good Academy

Business

Greater Good Academy Joins with Strings Restaurant to Annouce First Recipient of The Cunningham Award, So Named for The Generous Legacy of Noel and Tammy Cunningham

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Award Honors the Works and Memory of Noel Cunningham; Given to Beverly Grant, Triple Bottom Line Business Owner and Food Educator in Five Points Community

Denver, CO, November 30, 2012 – At the fall 2012 graduation and public showcase of the Greater Good Academy (GGA), Richard Eidlin, executive director, and Tammy Cunningham, owner of Strings Restaurant, announced the first recipient of the Cunningham Award. Awarded to a graduate of the GGA for a food-related, community-minded business exemplifying the ideals of Noel and Tammy Cunningham, the winner of the Cunningham Award is Beverly Grant, founder of Mo’ Betta Green Marketplace.

“Receiving the Cunningham Award is a distinct honor for me,” said Grant, after the presentation at Mi Casa Resource Center. “It motivates me to continue to support the mission of providing fresh, locally grown food and to educate and serve the Five Points Community. The Cunningham Award embodies commitment and vision for a better community.”

Cunningham notes, “I am, and know Noel would be, honored to have a connection with the Greater Good Academy. It helps folks with a hand up rather than a hand out and empowers, encourages, and promotes entrepreneurial skills, while caring about the community. All of which Noel was about.”

The GGA began in 2010 with the goal of supporting early-stage low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs build triple bottom line (people, profit and planet) businesses. During the eight-week business planning program, the GGA trains civic-minded entrepreneurs to create companies and social enterprises that make money, while positively impacting the environment and communities within which they operate. The goal is to create economic self-sufficiency, create jobs and improve the quality of life in Denver.

Eidlin adds, “We have always seen food as a means of building community. A good number of students have started food-related businesses and many restaurants have contributed dinners, including: Strings, Watercourse, SAME Café, Chipotle, Stueben’s, Avenue Grill, Mercury Café and The Saucy Noodle.

Over the past two years, more than 90 entrepreneurs have completed the program. Support for the GGA comes from the City of Denver’s Office of Economic Development, the Colorado Lending Source, UMB Bank, Colorado Enterprise Fund, Accion and Mi Casa Resource Center.

Two Academies are planned for 2013. For more information, contact: Richard Eidlin, 303-478-0131.

Contact:
Richard Eidlin
The Greater Good Academy
Denver, CO
(303) 478-0131
Richard@greatergoodacademy.org
http://www.greatergoodacademy.org

Entertainment

Greater Good Academy Recognizes Socially and Environmentally Responsible Denver Start-Ups

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November 26th Event Celebrates 6th Graduating Class with Business Plan Showcase

Denver, CO, November 21, 2012 – Socially and environmentally minded entrepreneurs will gather to demonstrate how they plan to build Denver businesses focused on community and sustainability at the Greater Good Academy’s (GGA) showcase on November 26, 2012. The event, held from 5:30-7:45 p.m. at Mi Casa Resource Center (360 Acoma St., Denver, CO 80223), will showcase these emerging small business ventures and feature a discussion on business ethics and social responsibility.

The goal of the GGA program is to give low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs the training and financial support they need to develop ideas into profitable business plans. During an eight-week class, students develop “triple bottom line” business plans – plans that have community, sustainability and profit at their core.

Four of the Academy’s most recent graduates will present their business plans at the showcase. The event will feature: Tim Brauhn, Denver Seitan Company, (a line of delicious, healthy ‘fake meat’ vegan foods); Francine Lomiller & Kim Roth, Schoolyard Crop, (reconnecting students to nature and agriculture through a hands-on edible garden and curriculum program); Mike Pachan, SolCharged, (a veggie oil powered,  vending truck using solar technology to provide power for mobile devices); and Destiny Faithe, Colorado Pure Essentials, (a line of handcrafted natural soaps and personal care products).

The Showcase will also include Michael Ditchfield, owner of Jing, and Tammy Cunningham will present the ‘Cunningham Award’ to one Greater Good Academy (GGA) entrepreneurs in food-related businesses who exemplify the philanthropic contributions and communitarian ideals of Noel Cunningham, String’s Restaurant.

During the GGA, each entrepreneur completes a business plan that defines the company’s mission, operations, marketing, pricing and related growth strategies. The plan also describes how the business will integrate environmental and social elements into its overall business strategy.

“Businesses that care for the environment and quality of life in their community are more likely to become successful,” said Richard Eidlin, Founder and CEO of The Progress Group. “The Greater Good Academy program helps entrepreneurs implement sustainable and triple bottom line business thinking and practices to become more profitable.”

GGA also provides its students with meaningful business relationships by connecting the entrepreneurs with key people in the economic development, angel capital and socially responsible business world. Through these networking opportunities, the GGA program aims to equip its participants with the tools they need to take action and contribute to the Denver community.

“This event gives attendees the chance not only to meet these entrepreneurs, but also to learn more about the importance of business ethics and the benefits of socially responsible practices,” Eidlin said.

The GGA showcase is open to the general public. Registration is $15 for private companies, nonprofits, government and $10 for Greater Good Academy Alumni and students. Supporting organizations for the event include Accion, the Denver Office of Economic Development, the Colorado Enterprise Fund, Colorado Lending Source, Johnson and Wales University, Mi Casa Resource Center, Accion, Mile High Business Alliance and UMB Bank.

For more information, email Richard@greatergoodacademy.org. To register, visit: http://proggroup.com/greater-good-academy/showcase.html

About The Greater Good Academy
The Greater Good Academy provides civic-minded entrepreneurs from under-served communities with the resources they need to succeed and “scale” their ventures. GGA accomplishes this by providing students with mentors and connecting them with business partners in the community. The GGA helps to strengthen local communities, incubate green businesses and increase economic self-sufficiency.

Contact:
Richard Eidlin
The Greater Good Academy
Denver, CO
(303) 478-0131
Richard@greatergoodacademy.org
http://www.greatergoodacademy.org