News Summary
Emondre Johnson has opened The Bark Park in Birmingham, offering dog care services after winning a local pitch competition. His journey reflects a trend towards inclusivity in entrepreneurship, aiming to enhance the pet care landscape and support underrepresented individuals in the industry.
Birmingham Entrepreneur Launches Dog Care Business After Winning Competition
Birmingham, Alabama – Emondre Johnson, a 26-year-old entrepreneur, has opened a new dog care business called The Bark Park after winning the 2023 Birmingham Small Business Week Pitch Competition. This newly established brick-and-mortar facility offers a range of services including dog day care, overnight boarding, professional grooming, pet photography, and features a private indoor dog park. The Bark Park is located on Montevallo Road in Birmingham.
Johnson shared that winning the competition has significantly impacted his business aspirations, providing him with the confidence and support necessary to pursue his goals in entrepreneurship. Johnson’s commitment to enhancing the pet care landscape in Birmingham is evident in his mission to create opportunities for others in an underrepresented business sector.
Birmingham Small Business Week
The Birmingham Small Business Week, taking place from May 4-10, hosts 15 events aimed at fostering local entrepreneurship through keynote speakers, educational sessions, networking opportunities, and pitch competitions. This annual initiative, which started in 2020 as a virtual event, has expanded to include over a dozen sessions that focus on economic mobility and community development.
Cornell Welsey, the director of Birmingham’s Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity, emphasized the role of small businesses in promoting economic vitality, creating jobs, driving innovation, and contributing to the prosperity of the city. Johnson’s win exemplifies the potential impact of the initiative on aspiring entrepreneurs within the community.
Background on Emondre Johnson
Growing up in East Lake, Birmingham, Johnson was raised in a single-parent household and actively participated in various extracurricular activities during his youth. He developed a passion for animals, including reptiles, dogs, and cats, but decided against pursuing veterinary medicine after interning at animal clinics during high school. Instead, he earned a degree in animal science from Alabama A&M University in 2020, equipping him with the knowledge to launch his own pet care business.
Through The Bark Park, Johnson aims to create opportunities for individuals who resemble him in an industry that has historically lacked diversity. His entrepreneur journey reflects a growing trend in Birmingham, where numerous small businesses are benefiting from initiatives focused on inclusion and support.
Support for Local Entrepreneurs
During the Birmingham Small Business Week, multiple entrepreneurs, including previous award winners like Jeddie Carnes, received crucial support that enabled them to expand their business ventures. Carnes launched three new products and enrolled in the Target Accelerator Program, showcasing the success of these initiatives in driving innovation amongst local entrepreneurs.
The Office of Business Diversity and Opportunity (OBDO) has implemented various programs to foster the growth of small businesses in Birmingham. Examples include the VITAL (Valuing Inclusion to Accelerate and Lift) program, which promotes underutilized businesses, and the RISE (Retention Incentives for Success and Expansion) Program that provides cash incentives and loan funds. In total, Birmingham has supported over 3,000 small businesses, channeling more than $2.4 million in funding through various resources.
Birmingham’s entrepreneurship efforts have garnered national recognition, with a notable $5 million grant awarded for establishing the Birmingham Entrepreneurship Center for Inclusive Growth and Excellence. Additionally, Small Business Week acknowledges legacy businesses, offering resources such as succession-planning workshops for those looking to transition their enterprises.
Community Impact
Local organizations, such as the Birmingham Business Alliance, play a crucial role in assisting small businesses through consulting and growth planning services. Keith Mitchell, the owner of AlphaGraphics, highlighted the significance of community support for small businesses, which includes sponsoring local teams and events, fostering a robust local network.
Despite the critical contributions of small businesses to the local economy, many face financial challenges due to heightened competition from larger companies and the ever-evolving economic landscape. The initiatives established in Birmingham, alongside community support, aim to empower small businesses to navigate these challenges successfully and continue to thrive in the future.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- WVTM 13: Birmingham Business Alliance Small Business Week
- Alabama News Center: Birmingham’s Small Business Week
- Birmingham Times: Conference Schedule for Small Business Week
- CBS 42: Birmingham Business Alliance Celebrates Small Businesses
- WBRC: Birmingham Business Owners Urge Governor Ivey to Veto Hemp Bill
- Wikipedia: Small Business
- Google Search: Birmingham Small Business Week
- Google Scholar: Birmingham Entrepreneurship
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Entrepreneur
- Google News: Birmingham Small Businesses
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
