This is the sixth post in “People of ProsperUS,” showcasing the incredible stories of entrepreneurs connected to ProsperUS.
This post features Jennifer Lyle, the owner of Lush Yummies Pie Company.
“[My business is] Lush Yummies Pie Co. I sell pie; my signature pie is my Lemon “Butta” pie.”
ON STARTING A BUSINESS
“I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, I think. My grandmother started the first minority-owned business school in Detroit in 1973; it still stands today. She was the first female president of Booker T. Washington. She groomed me to do everything for myself. She always taught me about not taking handouts [and] pulling yourself up from your boot straps. I always knew I wanted to have my own business since I was a little girl. [Having a small business] means a lot to me. It means freedom; it means you get to do what you want. It means that your business is as big as you make it. You could be a small or a big business. I’m small now because I haven’t grown to where I know I can grow to, but I’m not going to be a small business forever.”
ON PROSPERUS
“ProsperUS has helped me in a lot of different ways: from business training to helping me with financial advising. They helped me get a business coach; he’s been very instrumental in a lot of things I’ve done.The most helpful [resource] has been the business coach because I feel like he is the fountain of knowledge. I go to him for any questions I have. In business, a lot of times you will have questions you don’t know the answer to, but the coach does have the answer. Providing access to that person is a great help for me. ProsperUS has helped me by also giving me access to business services that they offer; I think that’s really important to take advantage of. [In] programs like ProsperUS, you qualify for business services [like] getting an attorney, branding, and social media help. I’ve used most of these.”
ON ADVICE FOR ENTREPRENEURS
“Try to find as many resources as possible– programs like ProsperUS, so that you don’t have to make as many mistakes. In business, you’re going to make a lot of mistakes that you can’t avoid, but to not have to experience as many of those mistakes will be a great help. Try to get help, talk to people, and use resources so that you don’t fall into those same pitfalls.”You can visit the Lush Yummies Pie Co. Website athttps://
Thanks to our team of DukeEngage Detroit Fellows, Ali Frank, and Prath Patel, for their work in sharing the stories of ProsperUS Detroit entrepreneurs during their summer in Detroit. Would you like to be featured? Let us know!
