Beyond Housing has announced the fourth cohort of Biz Smart Start, its annual small business accelerator designed to help local founders turn promising ideas into growing businesses. More than 100 aspiring entrepreneurs applied. Just nine were selected.
The nine entrepreneurs were welcomed during a March 25 orientation and will spend the next 11 weeks receiving expert coaching, business planning support, and access to resources designed to help their ideas grow into sustainable businesses. For many, it’s also an opportunity to build wealth, create jobs, and reinvest in the communities they call home.
“These nine businesses are more than just startups—they are vital contributions to our local ecosystem,” said Kimberly Adeyinka, the Beyond Housing financial empowerment specialist who leads the program. Adeyinka was a member of the 2024 Biz Smart Start cohort who continues to grow her own business venture, Kimtique Eyewear.
The program equips the founders with one-on-one business plan support from industry experts Arriel Biggs of Young Biz Kids and Cortez Springer of Local Biz Marketing Pros. Both Biggs and Springer are returning after partnering with founders in past cohorts, demonstrating the ongoing support that is a central feature of the Biz Smart Start program.
Beyond Housing has partnered with Maryville University for supportive resources. Cohort members will also hear from guest speakers such as Nancy Jordan of Biz By Faith, Inc. on topics such as understanding sales and budgeting strategies.
“Two of our goals with Biz Smart Start are creating employment opportunities to keep talent right here in our neighborhoods and building a stronger tax base to support our schools, public safety, and essential services through locally generated revenue,” Adeyinka said. “These goals are in line with Beyond Housing’s comprehensive approach to strengthening families and transforming communities to create a stronger, more prosperous St. Louis.”
Biz Smart Start 2026 business founder cohort
Adeyinka described the Cohort 4 selection process as incredibly competitive. “These nine founders were chosen from a pool of 110 applicants, representing aspiring business owners across the 24:1 Community and North St. Louis County,” she said.
This year’s founders come from a variety of industries—from food and fashion to personal services, youth development, security, and consulting:
- Cusandra Wright of the youth development agency Blessed Modelz
- Dominic Smith of First Line Protection, a provider of security services
- Juanika Givens of Nail Doctor Umble, which offers medical pedicures
- Matt Quarells of the motivational consulting and personal growth company Roads to Success
- Tammy Finley Stewart of Direct Remedies CC, offering verification fingerprinting, background checks, and notary services
In the retail and lifestyle category, the founders include:
- Cabondia Stewart of Crowned in Glory, maker ofall-natural hair goods and beard oils
- Starr Lambus of He Got Swagg LLC, which specializes in clothing for boys from birth to age 14
The founders in the food and beverage category are:
- Cece Williams of Krafty Kravings, offering cookie designs and classes for youth
- Danielle Ellis of Hollywood Mobile, which provides mobile cocktail and mocktail services
“Supporting small businesses is one of the most effective ways to maintain wealth in our community and create a self-sustaining cycle of prosperity,” Adeyinka said. “The coaches and I look forward to seeing the incredible impact these founders will have over the next 11 weeks and beyond.”
Perks and pitches
Each founder selected for the program receives $1,000 cash toward their business idea, along with benefits such as in-kind awards, networking opportunities, and connections to local resources. During each weekly session, Beyond Housing provides free meals.
The 10-week curriculum covers all the facets of a business plan. Founders are guided through validation of their business idea, defining their value proposition, identifying their customer segments, outlining their pricing, and learning to confidently pitch their venture.
The Biz Smart Start program concludes with a pitch competition during the final session on Wednesday, June 24, during which founders present their business ideas in front of an audience of community members.
Based on those presentations as well as other criteria, three founders will be awarded cash prizes of $3,000 for first place, $2,000 for second place, and $1,000 for third place.
“We continue to strengthen the program with each cohort,” Adeyinka said. “For 2026, we have added updates like an online portal so founders past and present will be able to access material at their convenience. We’re implementing this as a pilot with Cohort 4, and we look forward to additional enhancements.”
