PHA Hosts a Spring Pop Up Shop for PHA Residents Who Are Growing Their Own Businesses, Following Post-Pandemic Trends
Reshay Johnson Kennedy, founder of Nuri’s Sweet Treats, is currently in PHA’s Advanced Entrepreneurial Fellowship program. At the pop up event, she and her team sold desserts.
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For PHA: Linda Wallace
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Getting Down to Business
PHA Hosts a Spring Pop Up Shop for PHA Residents Who Are Growing Their Own Businesses, Following Post-Pandemic Trends
Aisha and Amir Burnett sold soulful dinners at the event; Amir provided the balloon decorations
WHAT: Pop Up Shop featuring PHA’s resident-owned businesses: Entrepreneurship recently reached record levels, according to Babson College’s U.S. GEM Report in 2022-2023. Of all the racial groups surveyed, Black people had the highest rate of entrepreneurial activity (35%), followed by Hispanic people (27%). Despite these high rates, both groups remain less likely to run established businesses than white entrepreneurs. In 2021, PHA began offering entrepreneurship workshops and a six-month prestigious fellowship as a way to support these micro-businesses, which often are home-based. Since then, about 40 small business owners have graduated, all of whom go through the process of becoming approved vendors with PHA. They also get the appropriate licenses and learn business fundamentals.
WHEN: 11:30 to 1 PM Wednesday, May 15, 2024
WHERE: PHA Headquarters at 2013 Ridge Avenue. The event will begin outdoors in the Pavilion but may move indoors due to rain.
Nija Wiggins, founder of Corneey’s, sold some of her favorite gourmet dishes made from corn-on-the-cob.
DETAILS: PHA resident Aisha Burnett, owner of Ruthann’s kitchen, was hired by PHA in January to cater a luncheon for high-ranking HUD officials who had come from Washington for a listening session. Her 16-year-old son, Amir, provided the gorgeous balloons for the events. Other popular resident-owned businesses scheduled to attend include Corneey’s, owned by Nija Wiggins, which is a favorite in the Philly food truck industry, and Nuri Sweet Treats, a company started by Reshay Johnson that makes spectacular desserts. Resident businesses will sell clothing, candles, jewelry, household goods and scents, and delicious food and desserts.
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