Page 20 - BusinessWest March 7, 2022

ing on through Zoom.
A number of graduates have gone on to open
businesses, many in the downtown area, she said, adding that the ongoing needs of these ventures prompted the creation of E-Forever.
Undertaken in conjunction with Entrepre- neurs Forever, the new group is a “resource for those who have gone through the program and are currently in business, rather than those who are just getting started,” she explained.
“These businesses are generating revenue, and they have unique challenges,” she went on, add-
“We have several businesses already operating, and another dozen growth and manufacturing facilities that could be up and running by the end of the year.”
ing that this group of perhaps 8-10 entrepreneurs will meet once a month, share information, and troubleshoot. “The entrepreneurs pick what they want to work on; it’s like having an accountability group that meets each month to support what- ever challenges you’re having as an existing busi- ness owner.”
The broad goal, she said, is to enable more businesses to weather the many storms they will face as they mature and grow and stay in busi- ness, preferably in Holyoke.
A good deal of resilience has already been
on display, said Jordan, adding that she couldn’t think of a single business in the city that closed during the pandemic, and, meanwhile, as she noted, many new ones have been opening.
“It’s been remarkable to see the perseverance the community has to see Holyoke thrive,” she said, adding that while existing businesses, often with help in the form of local, state, and federal grants, have found what it takes to survive the pandemic, COVID has inspired many others to join their ranks in the business community.
“People began to prioritize not only their personal life and their personal interests, but
also their mental health and well-being,” she explained. “And many found that what they want- ed was more work-life balance and flexible sched- ules. And that’s where entrepreneurship came into play ... with people finding their true selves, what their purpose is, and what they want their purpose to be; the pandemic really shook things up in that sense.”
She said the roster of new businesses includes restaurants, like Crave, El Paradiso Colombiano, and the Avalon Café, and several cannabis-related businesses, but also a few boutiques. And, as noted, most are in the heart of downtown, bring- ing many formerly dormant spaces to life.
Rooms with a View
That historic home on Dwight Street that Jay Candelario found was more than dormant.
It needed considerable work inside and out, he told BusinessWest, adding that while most were more than willing to consider the property known to most as the Moriarty mansion and ultimately pass, he decided to take a chance.
“I’m a risk taker,” said Candelario, who was
Tessa Murphy-Romboletti, director of EforAll Holyoke, took her involvement in the city to a higher plane with election to the City Council last fall.
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