In 2022 Running Strong for American Indian Youth launched an exciting new initiative as a spinoff of our Dreamstarter Program – Dreamstarter Incubator – that gives past Dreamstarters the opportunity to continue their work with the support of Running Strong to back them. Josh Smith is a 2019 Entrepreneur Dreamstarter, that now works at Running Strong leading the Micro-Enterprise Devlopment Program, a program designed with Josh to support small businesses, especially those that are Native-owned and operated by providing them with business classes and small loans to help startup and expand their operations.
Over the past year of 2024, Josh has been working hard to expand his program, to reach even more small businesses and Native Communities. The Micro-Enterprise Development Program has now expanded into Montana, and for the 2024-2025 cohort we have 16 businesses that are set to receive loans and will participate in trainings over the next year.
South Dakota
Name: Latina Shangreaux
Business name: Jaxon’s Hotdog Stand
Tribal Affiliation: Oglala
Location: Pine Ridge, SD
Coming from a long line of entrepreneurs in her family, Latina is working to continue that by helping her young son start a hotdog stand, that he can run to make money for school, travel, and other projects. This will be the only hotdog stand in their community and will offer an affordable snack alternative at powwows, games, and other community events.
“This hotdog stand will help my kids set big dreams and goals for themselves. I hope through this they will learn to dream bigger!”
Name: DeAnna White
Business name: Dee’s Cleaning
Tribal Affiliation: Oglala Lakota
Location: Pine Ridge, SD
DeAnna is starting a cleaning company, serving both commercial and residential clients. She will be the only cleaning company in her community, offering much needed support to both growing companies and to homeowners trying to keep up.
“This program has opened my dream up to becoming a reality!”
Name: Calvin Redowl III
Business name: The Little Red Wagon
Tribal Affiliation: Oglala Sioux Tribe
Location: Pine Ridge, SD
Focusing on Cuban Food, Calvin ran his food truck for several years until the pandemic shut them down, following that the truck fell into disrepair and was unable to operate. Now, this food truck will be brought back to life, once again serving delicious Cuban food to their community, and accomplishing its purpose of funding the local animal shelter, White Owl Sanctuary. Calvin says that this program gave him the push he needed to reignite this dream and get his business back off the ground!
Name: Lynn Hernandez
Business name: Unci’s Giveaway Shop
Tribal Affiliation: Oglala Sioux
Location: Pine Ridge, SD
Lynn is working to formalize the work she has been doing for years in producing the important elements Lakotas use for giveaways, including moccasins, belts, scarves, blankets, dried meats, handmade teas, and jewelry. She will be a place her community can come for all of their needs, without having to make the long trek to Rapid City, and with her experience and expertise, her customers can rest assured that her products are produced in the correct way.
“This program will help me to help the people of my reservation. I am grateful for the knowledge and guidance from people who have already walked this path.”
Name: Steffon Hammel
Business name: Lyrics Tacos
Tribal Affiliation: Oglala Sioux Tribe
Location: Pine Ridge, SD
Steffon and his wife have been cooking incredible Mexican food at events throughout their community for the past four years, always attracting a long line of customers. Steffon is hoping to expand this business and reduce the time it takes to produce their food by purchasing much needed equipment. He says the program will allow them to take their business to the next level by allowing them to purchase the equipment they have been needing.
Name: Jerilyn Red Cloud
Business name: Mahpiya Luta Quillwork
Tribal Affiliation: Oglala Sioux Tribe
Location: Pine Ridge, SD
Jerilyn worked for many years in the Indian Gaming industry and her grandparents owned a Quillwork business beginning in the 90s. When she learned Quillwork in 2010, she knew she wanted to continue her grandparent’s legacy and eventually left her career to pursue that dream. Her business produces quilled medicine wheels for graduation and naming ceremonies, and she is hoping to increase her production and branch out into different areas. She hopes to make those special days even more special for the members of her community through the pieces she produces and is excited for how the micro-enterprise program will help her take her business to the next level.
Montana
Name: Melveen Fisher
Business name: Crew Cuts Lawn and Wood Services LLC
Tribal Affiliation: Crow
Location: Montana
Melveen is starting Crew Cuts Lawn and Wood Services as a way to beautify lawns and green spaces in her community, as well as to provide a ready source of wood for heat and for use in sweat lodges. She changing careers from a background in farming due to health related issues.
“As a first time business owner, I am excited to learn everything I need to to have a successful business!”
Name: Lucille Hogan
Business name: Bear Before Creations
Tribal Affiliation: Crow
Lucille has been making artfully crafted jewelry for the past decade and will be working to turn that creativity into a more established business. She hopes to offer her community an option to avoid having to purchase their jewelry online, instead offering them a quality product made locally. She is excited that this program will help fill the gaps for her in what she needs to know to manage her business successfully.
Name: Richard Crow
Business name: Crow’s Custom Contracting LLC
Tribal Affiliation: Crow
Location: Montana
Richard has a long history working in the construction industry but is now working to take his business to the next levels. He seeks to benefit his community through community revival and development, hoping to ensure well-constructed housing for his neighbors. Richard says that he is eager to learn new skills through this program that will enable him to grow his business.
Name: Anthony Lopez
Business name: Arrow Creek Construction
Tribal Affiliation: Crow
Location: Montana
With 20 years of experience in the construction industry, Anthony’s new venture will focus on home remodeling from floor to roof, as well as water service and repair. He is hoping to fill a great need in his community for trustworthy contractors.
“I am excited to increase my understanding of the behind the scenes work of owning a business, like paperwork, bookkeeping, and bidding effectively”
Name: Regis Hogan
Business name: Hog Wild Home Improvement Inc.
Tribal Affiliation: Crow
Location: Montana
Regis has been running his contracting business for the past 16 years and is using this as an opportunity to branch out into new business. He will be focusing on being a contractor for his community that offers fair and reasonable pricing options to folks needing to make every penny count. Of the Micro-Enterprise Program he says “I feel this program will help me greatly with the financial and budgeting side of my business, making me feel more confident in making my business work.”
Name: Tanya Gardner
Business name: TPlainfeathers LLC
Tribal Affiliation: Crow
Location: Montana
With a bachelor’s in art from the University of Montana, Tanya is working to transfer those artistic skills into a profitable percaline ceramics business. As part of her work, she will be providing organic quality, handmade elk teeth for her community to use in making dresses, necklaces, and other jewelry.
“This program is encouraging me to focus on what I need to do to establish the foundation of my business. I am learning so much and working on my business plan and a solid pricing mdoel, which will set a good foundation for getting my business off the ground.”
Oklahoma
Name: Baileigh Virden
Business name: Baileigh Virden Photography
Tribal Affiliation: Choctaw
Location: Oklahoma
Baileigh began her photography business from her desire to allow those she photographs to see their inherent beauty and to give them the gift of remembering those captured moments. She hopes her photography will empower individuals, help boost their self-worth, and capture moments for the generations to come.
“With the education and funds that come from this program I will not only learn how to grow my business and keep it going but I will also be able to make upgrades to my equipment that will help my business run more efficiently.”
Name: Jenna LaViolette & Cody Vavra, Ph.D.
Business name: Arrow Consulting L.L.C.
Tribal Affiliation: Osage
Location: Oklahoma
Jenna and Cody have established a multi-disciplinary consulting firm that works with the local government and Oil and Natural gas firms to create a sustainable and resilient community. With this training, we gain the ability to refine our business model, identify opportunities for growth, and address potential challenges with confidence.
Name: Allison Reyes
Business name: Sweet Al’s Creations
Tribal Affiliation: Osage, Prairie Band Potawatomi, & Creek
Location: Oklahoma
Sweet Al’s Creations specializes in beadwork, using traditional and contemporary materials to make unique one of a kind handcrafted heirloom pieces. Allison feels her business is vital to the community because it creates an experience to feel beautiful, seen, and connected.
“This program will allow me to purchase quality materials so that I’m able to provide authentic made pieces using real bones, shell, furs and leathers, as well as growing my business with new machinery for new projects.”
Name: John Parker
Tribal Affiliation: Osage
Location: Oklahoma
John Parker is a highly sought after hair and makeup artist with over a decade of experience in the industry everywhere from salons to on the sets of productions such as Reservation Dogs and Killers of the Flower Moon. John delights in the joy he is able to bring to his clients through his work, especially in those times such as wedding where his work will be captured and remembered for a lifetime. Through the program, John is seeking to expand his and update his equipment and expand who he is able to serve.
