Alumni Accolades May
Meet K. Carlton
K. Carlton is an accomplished Event Producer, Travel Curator and Wedding Planner with over 15 years of industry expertise. With a diverse portfolio ranging from large-scale festivals to intimate gatherings, she is a trusted name in the events, travel and weddings arena. Her introduction to Sunshine Enterprises came through a personal recommendation. “I was referred to Sunshine by Nicole Jordan (see insert below),” she recalls. “Nicole recommended the organization as a great resource for a growing business where I can learn the tools that I needed and connect to a community of people who genuinely want to help.” K. Carlton took a significant step in her entrepreneurial journey by enrolling in our Community Business Academy in the summer of 2021. This decision marked a turning point in her business education and development.
Reflecting on her time in the academy, she found the business pitches to be the most valuable aspect of the curriculum. “I used to have a really hard time explaining what I do and who I was,” she admits. “The academy helped me to really think through my unique value proposition and how to relay that in 60 seconds or less, all while capturing my audience.” Before joining Sunshine Enterprises, K. Carlton faced significant challenges with pricing her services. “I struggled with pricing. I was severely underpricing myself and didn't completely understand my value,” she explains. “In the CBA, I learned how to figure out what it costs for me to do business, how to look at the tools and resources that I use, and pair that with what my time is worth. It’s helped me to price better.”
Drawing from her experience, K. Carlton offers valuable advice to fellow entrepreneurs: “Join the Community Business Academy, take advantage of the mentoring, network with your cohort. Also, take advantage of all the resources that are available to you after graduation and stay connected to the community.”
Cooking Up Business Success
As mentioned in K. Carlton’s interview above, her coach at Sunshine was Nicole Jordan. The two women decide to join forces and announced recently that they are one of the newest preferred caterers of the iconic Field Museum! From full-service catering to event planning, drop-off meals, and event-day support, Nicole Jordan Catering in partnership with K. Carlton, Inc work together to make every special occasion unforgettable.
K. Carton’s coach Nicole Jordan Reed reflects on her sunshine experience
“In 2023, I had the privilege of serving as a coach for Sunshine for nearly a year. My role was focused on guiding business owners and entrepreneurs who were alumni of the CBA program, with a specific emphasis on ventures in the food and hospitality sector. I took pride in not only sharing my expertise but also leveraging my extensive network of resources, information, and connections to provide additional support for their business development endeavors. Overall, my experience as a coach with Sunshine was deeply rewarding, and I cherished the opportunity to play a part in empowering entrepreneurs to realize their aspirations and achieve their business goals.”