12/15/2025
VisionGreenwood is proud to partner with Lander University College of Business and Technology to bring the Propel Business Lab to Greenwood—supporting local entrepreneurs through hands-on training, mentorship, and opportunity.
Over the past 12 weeks, participants worked to develop complete business plans, strengthen marketing and financial skills, build their digital presence, and prepare for a live pitch competition. The program concluded with a pitch competition where VisionGreenwood awarded a $5,000 startup grant to Eljielyn Kohler of Scoops ’N Cups Café, a locally owned business recognized among the Best of South Carolina in 2024 and 2025.
We also want to recognize the additional entrepreneurs who graduated the program and participated in the pitch competition:
-Eric Crawford, ET House and Carwash
-Lara Stawski, Saintly Suds, LLC
-Britney McGill Mazyck, Shades of A.I.
-Asa Boyd, Patty’s Pralines
-Sesonya Fincher, Nations Translation Agency
-Cindee Stewart, Flyby E-Rides
Programs like Propel are an important part of VisionGreenwood’s broader economic development strategy—helping create pathways for entrepreneurs, build business momentum, and support long-term growth in Greenwood County. Since launching in 2022, Propel has supported more than 90 entrepreneurs across rural South Carolina, contributing an estimated $3.4 million in annual economic impact.
Thank you to Dr. Lloyd Willis, Bob Snead, our judges, mentors, and partners for investing in local entrepreneurs and the future of our community.
