Business Name:BIM Auto Repair, 223 Whalley Avenue, New Haven.
Year Business was started in New Haven: 2015
Why did you start your own business?
I opened Bim Auto Repair as a tribute to where we were from. Bim is the name used for Barbados, where we grew up with a single parent raising five boys on her own in a government house.
Why did you choose to start your business in New Haven?
We moved to New Haven in 2015 in an abandoned building that had been vacant for over 15 years.
What challenges did you have to overcome in starting your business?
We struggled the first 4 years because we were in an area in Hamden where our landlord was not allowing us to grow. We couldn’t do bodywork or sell cars because he sold cars next door to us in his own business, so we lost a lot of money paying bills and maintaining our business.
We started from scratch, bought all the equipment, put in 2 car lifts, bought a paint booth and everything else to run our business.
Year Business was started in New Haven: February 2005
Why did you start your own business?
In the span of two weeks, I transitioned from a hairdresser to a young Black business owner. During the time the salon I was at was closing, I saw an opportunity to have a smooth transition start-up. I noticed an available location two blocks away and have been here since February 2005.
Why did you choose to start your business in New Haven?
I was born and raised in New Haven
What challenges did you have to overcome in starting your business?
Within the past 19 years, I’ve felt fortunate to service clients in and around the New Haven area, especially since I was born and raised here. Like many industries, you have to manage through economic hardships, client and employee retention, and continuing to perfect your craft. I encourage all upcoming business owners to seize opportunities, trust your instincts, and remain committed to your vision.
Gorilla Lemonade Lemonade was powered by Eat Up our food catering business. We started Eat Up in 2019 and we never sold beverages until 2022 and the rest was history. We got tired of hearing our customers say “ When are y’all going to get some drinks?” We didn’t want to resale other beverages when we can sale our own and receive complete profit.
Why did you choose to start your business in New Haven?
New Haven is where we are at. New Haven birthed our business and its only suiting to stay right here with our vision. Kristen is from New York City who also lived in other various cities and states through the years. Brian is from New Haven and has been here his entire life. For Brian this is a blessing for him to be that change in the city he is from and also building generational wealth in his city.
What challenges did you have to overcome in starting your business?
The challenges Gorilla Lemonade faced in the beginning stages of our business was understanding how to do real business. Yes, making a product is apart of the business and sales is apart of the business. However, understanding bookkeeping, profits and losses, managing an efficient inventory, building a team and putting the right people in their perspective positions that allows them to do their jobs efficiently. Let us not leave out marketing dollars and we can go on and on but just know it was a roller coaster that makes you feel overwhelmed but we never got off the ride because we understood that its all apart of the growth of the business. Entrepreneurship comes with so many different emotions and challenges. We are grateful that we are Men and understand we are built for this purpose.
Year Business was started in New Haven: New Haven started in May of 2022 ( Phillys started in 2010)
Why did you start your own business?
I was previously an entrepreneur (Barber Shop/Music Engineer/Night Club owner) but never tried the restaurant industry. Since a lot of my Connecticut friends were starting to get hooked on the food I brought back from visiting home I figured it was worth a shot. So, I put the same energy as I did my other businesses and this one really took off.
Why did you choose to start your business in New Haven?
New Haven always was a dream for the brand. I felt like this city felt closest to Philadelphia in Connecticut. Its rich foodie history was also enticing. The fact that Yale is here didn’t hurt either.
What challenges did you have to overcome in starting your business?
Proving authenticity was our biggest hurdle. Being from Philly just wasn’t enough. So, importing all of our products was key in validating our brand. The problem with that is it becomes extremely expensive to maintain that quality. This would scare most off or prompt them to substitute cheaper products. The good news for me is I’m not in this for a quick buck or trying to get rich. I believe in this brand. I know the long game. The long game is to create a brand that makes generational wealth for all that are involved. Knowing that I’m able to keep patient and keep on grinding to the goal.
I started this business because I had a commitment to creating a legacy for my family. The shop is named in honor of my mother who is still very much alive and always loved working in her garden. Flowers were and still are a very important part of her past-time. She instilled a great work ethic in me that I am now able to pass down to my children and grandchildren. My daughter now works with me. After completing a bachelor’s degree and working in her field for over 12 years, she left her job to help me build this legacy for our family. From time to time my 10-year-old grand-daughter even comes in and helps out. The goal is to not only speak life and success into my community and family, but also be an everyday example that they all can see.
Why did you choose to start your business in New Haven?
I have lived in New Haven for more than 40 years. I’ve worked in this city, raised my children here with an amazing man and have really strong ties to the community.
What challenges did you have to overcome in starting your business?
Starting a business is never without its challenges, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been particularly challenging for many. The fact that Mae Flower had to shut down for months during this period and still weathered the storm and continued to thrive sends a powerful message of hope and encouragement. It’s our hope that Mae Flower serves as an inspiration for others who may be facing difficult circumstances but aspire to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. It’s never too late, you are never too old, to not just write the vision but put action behind what you see.
Year Business was started in New Haven: My business legally was started in early 2019
Why did you start your own business?
I started my own business because I have always had the hustler’s mentality since a youth. Starting in high school selling candy in the school hallways. I made pretty good money doing it so I figured if I switched the product, I could make a living off of it.
Why did you choose to start your business in New Haven?
Because this is where I was born and raised so in the beginning stages I figured the love and support from my friends and family would support my business and dreams and help it flourish.
What challenges did you have to overcome in starting your business?
Starting out business wasn’t the easiest due to me not having that much knowledge on the clothing industry itself or any business loans or grants or any type of investors to get the brand up and running. I started with 12 T-shirts out the trunk of my car. I would YouTube videos on how to operate a clothing brand, also took courses to learn about the different printing methods and fabrics to print on. Having to travel city to city to make sales and meet up with customers. Traveling state to state for pop-up shops & spending most of my profits on more products, marketing and knowledge with hope of my brand growing in the process. So, I the beginning I didn’t really profit much so I had to trust the process and continue to grow my inventory. Not to mention the clothing industry is a big industry filled with millions of brands so not only did I have to be creative, I had to master the art of being consistent to keep the brand in the customers faces at the same time, which got me from out of the trunk of my car to a store front location.
Business Name: 1)Reliant Behavioral Health & Community Services and my newest business is: 2) Effective Community Services TLC(Transforming Life’s Circumstances)
Year Business was started in New Haven: 2019
Why did you start your own business?
After years of working in various macro-level state and non-profit organizations, and having children, I knew that I needed to find a job that allowed for flexibility with my schedule. I wanted to be present for my children.
Why did you choose to start your business in New Haven?
I grew up in the Hill. Many of my family resided in the Hill as well. I attended Parochial Elementary/middle School(Sacred Heart Parochial School) and Saint Mary’s High School. Most of my employment from the age of 14 to the present has been in New Haven. New Haven has afforded me awesome childhood memories however, I recognized very early on and even as a teen that there was/is work that needs to be done within my community. At the time I didn’t know what that meant however it wasn’t until Grad School, while working at the New Haven Health Department and completing my internship with the public Department that I understood the depth of work surrounding systemic disparities needed to be done. While completing my internship, I had the opportunity to assist with a project that the New Haven Health Department was working on re: Maternal Health and prematurity, Heart disease, diabetes, poverty. Education, employment, and nutrition. Finding solutions to systemic disparities that affected urbanized communities was and still part of the New Haven Health Department as well as my business-ensuring that individuals and families overall well-being is stabilized through prevention and intervention services. Lastly, As an African American Woman with post-higher education, life experience and along with an extensive work history surrounding the community and mental health I understand the direct impact historical racism has on people of color no matter one’s level of learning. As a child I understood many things I felt in school however I didn’t know how or what it was called at the time, but it was evident. As an adult, I knew I wanted to assist with creating effective change for all.
What challenges did you have to overcome in starting your business?
I didn’t have to change myself or the mission I created regarding serving the community or all individuals in need. I am still learning as I go. Partnerships with like-minded businesses. Community members and volunteers is also important. At this, juncture, you will have to say “no” sometimes, and it is okay. I have stayed true to serving the community, as I will always see it as a “Ministry of help.”
Audrey, working at New Haven Apparel & Boutique, is the 94.3 WYBC Virtual Lunch Club winner for the month of January 2024! Audrey and her boss Gary enjoyed a delicious lunch with Wanda Coppage on zoom, courtesy of D’Amatos Seafood on Whalley Avenue in New Haven!
Want to have a virtual lunch with Wanda? Go to our WYBC Contest Page and enter to win!
DeDe McGuire, the hardest working woman in radio. A trailblazer and industry leader who has been entertaining radio audiences for years.
Entertaining, empowering, and enlightening are just a few words that describe the powerhouse media mogul. This talented and award-winning personality is one of only a few women nationwide to have her own morning show. After co-hosting the nationally syndicated radio program “The Doug Banks Show”, DeDe now hosts her own nationally syndicated radio show, “DeDe in the Morning”, heard weekday mornings on 94.3 WYBC!
About DeDe In The Morning:
DeDe is the host of “DeDe in the Morning” on 94.3 WYBC. The show is on air Monday through Friday from 5AM until 10AM. The show also features New Haven’s own Darryl Huckaby with local news and giveaways!
Like many morning shows, it’s a mix of the silly and the serious, with discussions ranging from news topics, hip-hop culture, and community events, to comedy bits like the “Mad Minute,” in which listeners prank-call friends and relatives, stirring them up into bleeped-out freenzies.
Listen to 94.3 WYBC “DeDe in the Morning” live weekdays from 5AM until 10AM or stream online at www.943wybc.com.
