Heiress Darby Wins Local Shark Think Tank Business Presentation

NORFOLK

Twenty-one hopeful small business owners enrolled in a 12-week curriculum-based program teaching the six components of a business plan. Recently one participant’s business plan presentation earned her a $1,000 first place prize.

Heiress Darby, owner and operator of Heir Salon, LLC, which she founded in 2019, was the winner of the 2023 Aspiring Business Owner’ Shark Think Tank presentation.

The Aspiring Business Owner’s Project was created to assist with increasing the number of African-American businesses in the City of Norfolk and throughout Hampton Roads. Their mission is to encourage future business owners to create a business plan and make sure their idea is something that customers would be excited about patronizing.

Of the 21 hopeful business owners who enrolled, 10 participants graduated and completed all program mandates. At the conclusion of the program each graduate was required to have completed a written and typed business plan. In addition, each participant was required to present a concise, coherent, polished, persuasive argument pertinent to why their business will be a success and why they should win the $ 1,000 grant prize. A panel of judges evaluated each presenter based upon their ability and knowledge of their business.

The program was hosted by the Slover Library’s Roy E. Hendrix Business Center on December 18, 2023. The second place winner was Suzzette C. Butts of “Affordable Creations,” and third place winner was Latisha S. Little of “Labs4 Little.” 

Instructors and presenters during the Aspiring Business Owners Project were Gail Reynolds, Human Resource Manager with USI insurance, Ken Wooling, CPA, James Hinton of Dollar Bank, Joey L. Barnes, Jr. of Fulton Bank, and Professor Reginald Coles. The project was funded in part by LlSC Hampton Roads, Tidewater Community College and Educational Services of Hampton Roads, Inc.

For additional information regarding the start of new classes, please contact Dr. Tyrone Davis, Project Director at (757) 409-9044.