October Alumni Accolades
Lynn Humphreys’ Sunshine Story: A Journey from Dream to Reality
In the bustling community of Woodlawn, Lynn Humphreys’ entrepreneurial spirit led her to Alderman Taylor’s office in the 20th Ward. Armed with a pizza and an idea, she was eager to find resources that could help her grow her small business. Little did she know, that conversation would lead her to Sunshine Enterprises Located conveniently near her home, Sunshine’s Community Business Academy (CBA) seemed like the perfect fit for her needs. Fast forward to the spring of 2024, and Lynn found herself enrolled in the our CBA, ready to bring her business ideas to life. Looking back, she reflects on the most valuable lessons learned during her time with Sunshine.
For Lynn, one of the key takeaways from the CBA program was the importance of understanding the financial side of her business. Calculating the unit of sales and profit, creating a startup budget, and analyzing cash flow projections were pivotal lessons. These skills not only gave her a better grasp of her business’s potential but also helped her create a solid financial foundation for sustainable growth. Beyond the CBA curriculum, Lynn took full advantage of our additional workshops and resources. Thanks to the City of Chicago’s Early Stage Food Incubator grant, Sunshine was able to offer a series of workshops for food-based businesses such as Lynn’s. “In the Summer Festival Readiness workshop, (Sunshine instructor) Javon Nicholas was very thorough with information on how to get the adequate equipment, certifications, and food handling to participate in festivals. Noelle Curtis (Sunshine’s Director of Access to Capital) was great with sharing information on how to become lender ready and expectations from banks,” Lynn recalls. These workshops provided Lynn with the tools she needed to prepare her business for growth, both in terms of food festival opportunities and securing financial support.
Like many small business owners, Lynn faced the challenge of securing working capital. After being denied by multiple community resources and banks, it was easy to feel discouraged. However, while enrolled in our CBA, she learned about Allies for Community Business, an organization dedicated to supporting new startups. Lynn recently applied for a loan through Allies and was thrilled to be granted funding. This support was instrumental in pushing her business forward, giving her the capital needed to continue her journey. Thanks to Sunshine Enterprises and the resources she discovered through our network, Lynn’s business is on a stronger path to success. From understanding the financial intricacies of running a business to securing capital, Lynn’s story is a testament to the power of community-driven support and the incredible impact Sunshine Enterprises can have on local entrepreneurs.
“My advice for entrepreneurs is to be consistent, develop a business plan, and utilize resources to help you reach your goals. Those resources can include business mentors, community programs, and small business centers. Be flexible in your plans and give yourself grace in the process. ”
Lynn’s Chicago Pizza “In the News”
Chicago eater:
The Hottest New Restaurants in Chicago, October 2024
Block Club Chicago:
“Lynn’s Chicago Pizza Brings Top-Tier Pies To The South Side: ‘Let’s Keep Building From Within’
Owners Lynn Humphreys and pizzaiolo Brandon Bruner pose for a portrait with pizzas at Lynn’s Chicago Pizza, 501 E. 61st St., in Woodlawn on Sept. 12, 2024. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago