Our Impact
About Us
The Thrive Network’s goal is to eliminate economic barriers by providing people in communities with tools to activate and launch their own success, primarily through entrepreneurship. We achieve this goal through teaching those within communities to see their problems as economic opportunities, and providing a framework to launch small businesses to address those needs.
Empower your community by investing in its potential, fostering a legacy of positive impact that resonates across generations.
Our Mission
Our Values
BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS
We believe everyone should be free to activate possibilities and dreams regardless of education level, criminal history, income level, and race. We create inclusive spaces where diversity is celebrated and each person is encourage to contribute to the overall success of the program and all the participants.
BEING A VOICE
We intentionally take part in conversations and participate in community groups and events that effect the local small business landscape. We advocate for the community we serve and approach all activities with the intention of creating opportunities that provide equal access for those we serve.
PROVIDING OPPORTUNITY
We believe every person deserves the chance to THRIVE and reach their full potential. By removing barriers and opening doors, we create pathways for growth where individuals can explore their ideas, develop their talents, and pursue their goals with confidence. Our commitment is to ensure opportunity is not limited to a few, but available to all, so that everyone has the chance to succeed and contribute to a stronger, more vibrant community.
Our History
History
2015 – Classed began and were hosted by Passion City Church by Pastor Myron Pierce and Pastor Taj Stokes utilizing the “Who Owns The Icehouse” curriculum by Eli Mindset.
2015 – First Cohort created – year long program “The Thrive Project” – with 33 enrolled
2015 – The first business was created through the program – Front Range Detailing.
Southeast Business Plan Competition – https://www.csbj.com/premier/profiles/businessprofiles/blaque-plans-novel-gym-positive-culture/article_6f8d98e8-fe31-5f28-8186-3045cfefaa40.html
Classes held with Carmel School.
Thrive became an official 5013(c) nonprofit organization
2019 – Colorado Springs Business Journal held a Southeast Business Plan Competition – one Thrive Alumni was a
2019 – Andi Propst joined the Thrive team as the Operations Manager.
2019 – Thrive held its first Business on the Boulevard event to introduce Thrive businesses to the community
2019 – Thrive was awarded funding through the Transforming Safety Grant from the State of Colorado.
First networking event – Entrepreneur launch Expo
2021 – Original founder, Taj Stokes exited from the organizational leadership and Yemi Mobalade stepped down as Board Chair to become Interim Executive Director
2021 – Became a fiscal sponsor for Fiestas Patrias
Heather McBroom hired as Program Development Manager to recreate the class curriculum. Program became an intensive 4 month program ran 3 times per year with 15 participants per class.
2023 – Heather McBroom became the Executive Director for the organization.
2023 – Heather McBroom won the Small Business Champion of the Year award during Small Business Week
2023 – Increased class size from 15 to 25 due to increased demand.
2024 – Secured our first classroom space at the Family Success Center in Southeast Colorado Springs
2024 – Launched the first Spanish Speaking Cohort
2024 – Held our first Spanish graduation
Our History
History
2015 – Classed began and were hosted by Passion City Church by Pastor Myron Pierce and Pastor Taj Stokes utilizing the “Who Owns The Icehouse” curriculum by Eli Mindset.
2015 – First Cohort created – year long program “The Thrive Project” – with 33 enrolled
2015 – The first business was created through the program – Front Range Detailing.
Southeast Business Plan Competition – https://www.csbj.com/premier/profiles/businessprofiles/blaque-plans-novel-gym-positive-culture/article_6f8d98e8-fe31-5f28-8186-3045cfefaa40.html
Classes held with Carmel School.
Thrive became an official 5013(c) nonprofit organization
2019 – Colorado Springs Business Journal held a Southeast Business Plan Competition – one Thrive Alumni was a
2019 – Andi Propst joined the Thrive team as the Operations Manager.
2019 – Thrive held its first Business on the Boulevard event to introduce Thrive businesses to the community
2019 – Thrive was awarded funding through the Transforming Safety Grant from the State of Colorado.
First networking event – Entrepreneur launch Expo
2021 – Original founder, Taj Stokes exited from the organizational leadership and Yemi Mobalade stepped down as Board Chair to become Interim Executive Director
2021 – Became a fiscal sponsor for Fiestas Patrias
Heather McBroom hired as Program Development Manager to recreate the class curriculum. Program became an intensive 4 month program ran 3 times per year with 15 participants per class.
2023 – Heather McBroom became the Executive Director for the organization.
2023 – Heather McBroom won the Small Business Champion of the Year award during Small Business Week
2023 – Increased class size from 15 to 25 due to increased demand.
2024 – Secured our first classroom space at the Family Success Center in Southeast Colorado Springs
2024 – Launched the first Spanish Speaking Cohort
2024 – Held our first Spanish graduation
How We Impact Individuals
Personal Growth – Our program provides opportunities to discover and share values, passions, and traditions in families; empower individuals to see how they can succeed in their personal and professional lives; build self-worth and confidence by encouraging the fulfillment of their dreams and seeing their potential.
Generational Wealth – Our participants learn to create good personal spending habits and financial stability, gain access to capital for business launch or growth, and create opportunities to build investments and retirement from revenue generated. The median net worth of a business owner is 2.5 times higher than non-business owners.
Empowered Communities – Our participants build support systems and communities in and between Cohorts, develop meaningful connections with mentors, instructors and other community leaders, contribute to the positive economic growth of communities through generated revenue, job creation, and sales tax collection and invest in community lead change through leadership opportunities and involvement in boards and committees.
Business Longevity – Incubator programs, like ours, make businesses 40% more likely to be successful after 2 years in business. Additionally, the support you receive from the organization and individuals who are a part of the Thrive community is life long – “Once a Thriver, Always a Thriver!”
How We Build Communities
- Businesses with 5 or fewer employees make up 90% of the nation’s businesses and create jobs for more than 32 million individuals.
- Entrepreneurship increases economic inclusion when background, education and household needs create barriers to financial stability (Association for Enterprise Opportunity).
- The median net worth of a business owner is 2.5 times higher than non-business owners.
- Small businesses help maintain the cultural identify of communities.