The COVID-19 pandemic walloped businesses, small and large. Staying afloat was a monumental challenge, in many cases zapping creativity, vision and savings accounts.
For entrepreneurs, staying in the fight meant finding new paths to success and for some, it meant leveraging social media platforms like never before.
That was the case for three business owners participating in Small Business Happy Hour to be hosted by the Savannah Morning News on Wednesday at 6 p.m. on Instagram live @savannahnow.
Elbi Elm, founder and CEO of The Culturist Union; Jared Alexander, chef of the Eden Supper Club; and Elondia Harden, founder of ElonWick Candles Co., will take part in a live Q&A on Instagram.
There’s no such thing as perfection, we’re all just pretty much Wing-N-It!, according to owner Wing-N-It Savannah owner Kenneth Rouche.
Rouche and his crew are creating a new wave of catering services and private events with the introduction of pop-up restaurants.
The pop-up restaurant scene is a COVID-friendly alternative to the food truck and catering option that includes a mobile kitchen and a set menu with mostly ala carte options in outside event spaces. The concept also creates a mystery appeal that goes against the grain by popping up at various locations with little to no advertisement.
Since Wing-N-It Savannah’s introduction into the food scene, they have strived to create an experience within their food standards that focuses on customer service, collaboration and entertainment.
Photo courtesy of Elbi Elm Elbi Elm developed The Culturist Uniion as a private membership hub and digital platform centered on the social, professional, and economic empowerment of professionals, entrepreneurs and creators.
The Culturist Union is a private membership hub and digital platform centered on the social, professional, and economic empowerment of professionals, entrepreneurs and creators.
Originally from Pontiac, Michigan, Elbi Elm is a self-proclaimed military child and veteran of the U.S. Air Force, which she joined at 17-years old, and served 10 years.
The Culturist Union received a $25,000 grant from American Express for their Amex 100 for 100 program and received funds for SCADpro start-up week of $10,000.
Image via @theculturistunion/Instagram
Ashley “Elbi” Elm loved living and being inspired by her surroundings in Savannah, Georgia. After connecting the local creatives in her city, Elm launched The Culturist Union back in 2019 to serve as a creative hub for the city’s talent. Now, she’s taking her venture one step further by opening a coffee shop.
Elm says she originally got the idea after seeing a lack of co-working space options for Black creatives and entrepreneurs to network with each other.
“It was birthed out of the problem here in Savannah, that creators who are people of color didn’t have a place to gather, commune, or come together. I wanted to fill that void by creating a safe space for us,” Elm said in an interview with the