By Donna Erickson
LaunchHOLLYSPRINGS (LHS) is a community-based program, chartered by Holly Springs Rotary Club, dedicated to supporting low-resource entrepreneurs to build successful businesses that enhance our local economy. It began in the fall of 2018 with Cohort 1. Since then, LHS has graduated more cohorts and served 150 enterprising individuals. Businesses span a range of services and products — from coaching and art-related services to handmade goods, tech-based solutions, home improvements, and so many more — reflecting the creativity and diversity of our local entrepreneurs.
LHS is a 10-week classroom experience followed by six months of mentoring. During the classroom portion, topics focus on setting up a business for success and feature different guest speakers sharing their expertise each week.
Step into the stories of everyday entrepreneurs who took a chance on themselves — and were lifted by a community that believes in rising together. This insider perspective on LaunchHOLLYSPRINGS reveals how heart, hustle, and unwavering support can turn big dreams into bold, grounded action.
The Power of the Program
Silver Lake Construction
Nicole Martinez’s early exposure to the LHS program, as a Rotarian and volunteer mentor in Cohort 1, provided her with firsthand insight into its value for new businesses.
She and her husband, Douglas, had both worked in the construction industry for decades. They sought to create their own venture, Silver Lake Construction (www.silverlakenc.com), and be their own boss. Driven by a desire to bring a more personalized and supportive approach to the often-intimidating world of small business renovations and having witnessed the power of LHS, they applied and were accepted to Cohort 2. Their goal was to bring a warmer, gentler ethic to the construction industry and to offer the personal care and guidance that many large general contractors just aren’t equipped to provide. They were committed to fostering a win-win focus and building long-term mutually beneficial working relationships with their trades and suppliers.
LaunchHOLLYSPRINGS Impact:
Douglas and Nicole found that being a part of Cohort 2 (Spring 2019) was “a rewarding, challenging, all-consuming, transformative experience” akin to a 10-week accelerated MBA program. They value LHS as the single most important factor in their success. Some of the benefits they received that are directly related to graduating from LHS include:
Exceptional Training: A series of weekly speakers provided a strong foundation and supported continued success.
Collaborative Learning: The comprehensive curriculum and cohort structure encouraged idea exchange, shared experiences, and lasting professional relationships, providing aspiring entrepreneurs with invaluable mentorship and peer learning without direct competition.
Wake Tech Pitch Contest: Awarded a rebranding contract.
Spectrum Feature: Discovered in the LHS alumni newsletter, leading to a promotional video still being used today.
Ongoing No-Cost Business Counseling: Available through the Entrepreneur & Small Business Center at Wake Tech Community College – Cary.
Supportive Network: As a husband-and-wife team, external validation is crucial. Positive feedback from cohort members, mentors, and the Launch community fostered the confidence to become independent, facilitated connections to their target audience, and continues to generate signed contracts through warm recommendations.
Current Success:
Starting as a home-based business, Silver Lake Construction now operates from a storefront in downtown Holly Springs. Their projects have grown in scale, complexity, and value, giving them the opportunity to make a conscious decision to carefully manage that growth so they remain the contractor of choice for the local, small business community.
“Operating a thriving business feels great personally and lets us know we’re bringing something worthwhile to our community,” they shared.
Their commitment extends beyond their business success, actively supporting LHS through financial contributions to their GiveButter campaign and through service within the Holly Springs Rotary Club, the Holly Springs Chamber of Commerce, and Artspace Raleigh. Nicole has now mentored four cohorts and currently serves on the LaunchHOLLYSPRINGS leadership team’s events committee.
Combining a Passion for Teaching with Organizing Expertise
SOS by Lisa
After retiring from teaching, Lisa Menees was looking to make a new start that would blend her desire to help others with her natural talent for organization. In 2019, she launched SOS by Lisa (sosbylisa.com), a professional organizing service. Lisa’s approach involves teaching clients how to adjust routines and habits to organize and maintain functional and peaceful spaces. She never expected the fulfillment coming from the connection between organization and teaching, witnessing her clients have a “light-bulb moment” when they finally understand a concept.
LaunchHOLLYSPRINGS Impact:
Lisa participated in Cohort 4 of LaunchHOLLYSPRINGS (Fall 2020), an experience she found eye-opening and crucial for a former teacher with limited business knowledge. The program helped her to:
Niche Down: Instead of trying to cater to everyone, Lisa learned to focus on specific types of organizing projects.
Develop a Business and Marketing Plan: This allowed her to effectively reach her target audience.
Pivot During COVID-19: When in-home services became challenging, LHS supported her creation of an online master class focusing on helping people organize their spaces step by step.
Build a Support Network: The program provided a valuable “tribe” for mutual support, collaboration, and even client referrals.
Current Success:
Six years into her business, SOS by Lisa is thriving. Lisa now has the flexibility to choose projects and clients she enjoys most and has a team to handle administrative tasks. She benefits from repeat business and referrals from satisfied customers.
Lisa is also actively involved in the LaunchHOLLYSPRINGS community, serving on the leadership team and events committee.
How a Diagnosis Illuminated the Power of Mindset
Consider Jennifer
Motivated by her son’s autism diagnosis, Jennifer Meyer realized the power of mindset in shaping quality of life. Beyond understanding the reasons (why) and the desired outcomes (what), she focused on the practical methods (how) to achieve meaningful change.
Out of this desire and with the help of LHS came Consider Jennifer (www.considerjennifer.com), a speaking and consulting service that helps organizations support their teams in bringing the “why” to work — increasing productivity, engagement and retention while employees increase fulfillment, work-life integration, and job satisfaction.
LaunchHOLLYSPRINGS Impact:
Jennifer participated in Cohort 6 (Fall 2022). She started with an idea, but no clear path for how to make it come to light. Through LHS, she experienced:
Positive Growth: LHS helped her understand the changes that were needed to grow into a business owner versus an employee.
Education & Clarity: She developed the ability to ask more effective questions and maintain realistic expectations.
Mentor: She was gifted with an amazing mentor, Wendy Parker, who encouraged faith in the vision and normalized the pivoting that is sometimes necessary in business.
Collaboration: The material can be found in a Google search, but having people walk the path with you…priceless. Being inspired by other local business owners through the classes created feelings of empowerment and resulted in being better equipped for success.
Mindset: Taking time to define what personal success looks like and separating self-worth from unrealistic growth expectations in a practical manner.
(Bonus) Ongoing Support and Inspiration: The benefits of the program extend beyond its duration, as do the connections. LHS also facilitates these connections through alumni events.
Current Success:
To offer valuable services and ensure business sustainability, Jennifer decided to change her approach. She broadened her target audience while simultaneously refining her service offerings. She is now preparing to launch two new programs: “I Got You,” a framework to guide leaders in becoming more intentional and purposeful, and “DIG-IN,” a program focused on helping individuals integrate their personal and professional lives into a cohesive experience, preventing overwhelm and burnout.
Jennifer continues to connect with cohort members and mentors through ongoing meetups and social media engagement.
Proudly Lighting the Way
Lit Moments Candle Co.
Cassandra and her daughter, Jessica, were inspired by personal needs, a passion for wellness, and a desire to offer a cleaner, more thoughtful alternative for those with sensitivities to traditional fragrance products, without the heavy price tag.
Lit Moments Candle Co. (www.lit-moments.com) offers hand-poured luxury candles, sustainable home fragrances, and immersive candle-making experiences for individuals, groups, and corporate teams.
LaunchHOLLYSPRINGS Impact:
Coming into Launch at a later stage proved to be an advantage for this mother/daughter team. Since they already had lived experience, customer feedback, and more than a few “what were we thinking?” moments to draw from, the tools, strategies, and insights hit home in a real way.
Cassandra and Jessica walked into LaunchHOLLYSPRINGS Cohort 8 (Fall 2024) open to learning. They walked out equipped, empowered, and focused. They describe the experience as “hitting the refresh button on their business” after gaining:
Practical Learning: Hands-on sessions filled with real-world tools ready to be applied immediately.
Networking: Valuable connections with mentors, peers, and the broader Launch community, offering a “tribe of dreamers and doers” that fostered growth and resulted in an ongoing supportive network.
Mentorship: Game-changing mentorship experience that challenged deeper thinking, smarter moves, and stretching outside the comfort zone. Less like a formal mentorship, more like having a really smart business bestie. (Thank you, Chris.)
Workshops: Practical, impactful workshops (financial planning, branding, etc.) that brought clarity with less “Here’s what you should do” and more “Here’s what works… and how you actually do it.”
Strategic Thinking: Instilled a guiding principle of “What would Launch do?” in our decision-making and prompted a crucial reconnection with our core “why” beyond surface-level motivations.
Lightbulb Moments: Getting back to “why” and realizing that not having everything figured out isn’t a weakness…it’s normal!
Community, Validation and Support: Being surrounded by people who “get it” — understanding late nights, self-doubt, small wins that feel like big ones — made a huge difference. Starting out as strangers but finishing like a mini business family.
Overall Growth: Contributed to growth as business owners, leaders and decision-makers, resulting in clarity and confidence.
Current Success:
Lit Moments Candle Co. has evolved from a “cute candle brand” to a company building scent memories, wellness, creativity, and connection, focused on bringing people together in meaningful ways. Expanded offerings include mobile labs, signature wedding scent experiences, and corporate team building. Their future goals involve bigger partnerships, retail collaborations, and international expansion.
Partnering with local nonprofits like the Holly Springs Food Cupboard, the Lit Moments family is ready to be part of the next group of dreamers.
Paying it Forward: How a Childhood Sport Became a Business Passion
D2 Sports
Prior to being accepted to LHS, Dylan was at a crossroads in life, trying to figure out where to go and what to do. Through the program, he blossomed into a new person with drive, confidence, and business skills that were crucial to help propel success in business and life.
Growing up, soccer provided Dylan with an outlet that brought him happiness and peace. He credits one coach, Darryl Topalian, for his positive influence, support, and encouragement, which were instrumental in shaping him as both a person and a soccer player, fostering his confidence and passion for the game. This experience inspired Dylan to share his love of soccer with others.
After speaking with parents and adults, it was clear that there were few options for learning to play soccer in an inclusive and encouraging environment. Before even finishing the program, Dylan had his focus and started his business.
D2 Sports (D2sportsnc.com) is a holistic soccer training program for athletes of all ages and skill levels focused on building mindset, confidence, and community through the game of soccer.
LaunchHOLLYSPRINGS Impact:
At just 23 years old, Dylan was the youngest of Cohort 8 (Fall 2024). The program felt daunting at first, especially being so young. What Dylan found was:
Inspiration: Feedback, advice, lessons, and success stories from the instructor, cohort, mentor and extended community.
Confidence: He became a more competent entrepreneur, knowing that his business is his passion.
Action: Through encouragement and direction, Dylan put things into motion from gaining a business license to getting a business account.
Routines: Routines and systems are key to a successful business.
Relationship Building: The courage to step out of his shell and make connections, with a new mindset and reignited fire.
Current Success:
D2 Sports started as an adult soccer training program but has evolved to include athletes of all ages and now offering not only training, but summer camps and private group instruction. His future plans include a trip to Nicaragua to serve underprivileged communities while at the same time sharing God’s word and his passion for soccer.
Walking away from graduation in May of 2025, Dylan has made great connections in the community and secured a long-term mentor. He plans on attending alumni mixers and giving back to LHS in whatever ways he can.
Considering LaunchHOLLYSPRINGS for your business or entrepreneurial idea? Here’s what our participants are saying:
“Don’t hesitate to submit an application. Regardless of where you are in your entrepreneurial journey, Launch can take you to the next level.” – Nicole
“DO IT! No matter what the business, or how much you think you know about running a small business, this program will take you and your idea to the next level or the tenth! All of the volunteers and mentors are so giving of time and expertise, genuinely wanting to help every small business succeed!” – Lisa
“Like everything, you get out of it what you put in. That owning and starting a business is a lot of work and that it is ok to need to grow, change and pivot if you are dedicated to your success.” – Jennifer
“Do it… without hesitation. Whether you are brand new or already operating, Launch will stretch you in the best way. It’ll challenge what you think you know, give you tools you didn’t even know you needed, and connect you with people who actually care about your success. It’s not just a program; it’s a pivot point.” – Cassandra
“I feel this is a program that anybody would get valuable knowledge and benefit from. Even if you don’t have a business, I feel it’s worth it to think of a business idea and bring it to LaunchHOLLYSPRINGS because of how helpful and encouraging the Launch community is.” – Dylan
As these stories show, LaunchHOLLYSPRINGS participants have gained so much more than business skills. From practical learning and clarity to confidence boosts, mentorship, and a deeply supportive community, the experience has been both empowering and transformational. Over the years, the program has welcomed a remarkably diverse group of individuals — each with the opportunity to grow, evolve, and define success on their own terms.
Interested in Applying?
Applications for the next cohort will be available beginning in July 2025. Sign up for their newsletter at launchhollysprings.org to be notified when applications are open or to stay updated with all the things LaunchHOLLYSPRINGS is doing.
Interested in Being a Mentor?
A successful mentor relationship can play a critical role in the future success of our students and can be extremely fulfilling for the mentor. Learn more about the role and mentorship opportunities with LaunchHOLLYSPRINGS at https://launchhollysprings.org/mentor-application/.
Want to Join the Movement?
The valuable work being done by LaunchHOLLYSPRINGS is supported by donations from Holly Springs businesses and citizens. One-time or recurring contributions make LHS accessible at no charge to Holly Springs entrepreneurs who earn acceptance into the program.
Donna Erickson is a writer, speaker, psychology instructor, and empowerment coach who’s passionate about creating uplifting, transformational experiences. After an extraordinary experience in LaunchHOLLYSPRINGS (Cohort 8), she felt inspired to share the program. The experience gave her the tools, clarity, and community support to launch True You Results (trueyouresults.com) — where playful self-discovery helps women turn their inner critic into their BFF, reconnect with who they truly are, and confidently make choices that are aligned and authentic.
