Fueling, Funding, and Uplifting
Helping Small Businesses Rise and Communities Thrive.
What We Do
At Raising the Barr, we believe that investing in entrepreneurs is investing in the future of our communities.
Vision
To build thriving communities by empowering entrepreneurs and small businesses with the resources and support they need to create sustainable economic growth and opportunity for all.
Mission
Raising the Barr is committed to stimulating economic development by investing in the potential of entrepreneurs and small businesses through grants, mentorship, and specialized training. We aim to uplift underserved communities, fostering innovation and growth that will lead to stronger, more resilient local economies.
Who We Are
Meet our Co-Founders. Cynthia Ellis is an expert Small Business Consultant and Growth Strategist based in North Carolina with 28 years of experience in the retail, banking, and healthcare industries. She studied Business Administration with a Management concentration at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. As a startup coach she focuses on the positive impact of economic development in communities as a whole, and in the lives of entrepreneurs.
Joanna Childress is a retired educator with over 33 years invested in grades K-8 and as an early childhood education instructor. Her studies include a Bachelors in Education and a Masters in Technology. They are both purpose driven women with a passion to lead others to success while improving the state of the community.
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We award grants to entrepreneurs and small businesses, prioritizing those in underserved areas or sectors that can significantly impact community development. We also award and distribute resources like laptops, tablets, printers, and office supplies for business development.
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We offer one-on-one mentorship to help entrepreneurs develop essential skills in business management, financial planning, and marketing. We also advise on business matters to help troubleshoot and find solutions.
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We facilitate workshops and specialized training programs that equip business owners with the skills to build meaningful relationships, expand their networks, and operate successful, sustainable businesses that drive lasting economic impact.
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We empower entrepreneurs to build thriving businesses that create jobs, strengthen local economies, and inspire collective growth. We measure the long-term effects of our investments in terms of job creation, revenue growth, and community well-being to ensure continuous improvement.
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We strive to build networks of successful business leaders and entrepreneurs who can give back through mentoring and sharing best practices, creating a thriving ecosystem.
We connect entrepreneurs to resources.
How We’re Making A Difference
2024 Michelle’s Joy Resiliency Grant Winners
ANGELA MCZEKE | CEO, AMIA
Congratulations to Angela McZeke, serial entrepreneur! Angela was the Q3 2024 grant recipient. She was awarded $400 for Angela McZeke Innovative Academy (AMIA), which she used to assist with structural repairs to her shop located in Whiteville, North Carolina. As a result, Angela was able to pass her state audit and open her hair school, where she is now teaching, training, and graduating students.
ASHLEY SPAULDING | CEO, CAMILA’S NATURALS
Congratulations to Ashley Spaulding, CEO of Camila’s Naturals! A natural hair care company. Ashley was the Q4 2024 grant recipient. Camila’s Naturals was awarded $400, which she used for website development and marketing that increased her business’s visibility and online reach, resulting in added sales of her personally crafted line of hair products.
Rural Business Growth Accelerator
Raising the Barr is co-hosting the inagural workshop and networking series designed for small business development in rural Southeastern North Carolina, focusing on funding, grants, income/sales, marketing, and networking. The Rural Business Growth Accelerator promises to turn small-town entrepreneurs into well-equipped, confident business owners—ready to fund, grow, and sustain their businesses for long-term success.
Actionable Knowledge & Skills
Participants will walk away with practical, step-by-step strategies for:
Securing funding (grants, loans, and business credit)
Growing revenue and sales consistently
Marketing effectively on a tight budget
Building a strong local and online network
Scaling operations with systems and automation
Business Confidence & Clarity
Participants gain clarity on their next steps and leave with the confidence to:
Apply for funding
Market and sell with purpose
Build relationships that matter
Structure their business for sustainable growth
Long-Term Impact
Most importantly, participants will:
Be better positioned to create jobs and strengthen their local economy
Have the knowledge and resources to sustain and scale their business
Walk away with a blueprint for success they can follow long after the program ends
Ready-to-Use Tools & Resources
Each workshop equips attendees with templates, checklists, and workbooks they can implement immediately, including:
Grant proposal drafts
Business credit action plans
Marketing and sales growth frameworks
Networking scripts and pitch templates
Automation toolkits for long-term success
Stronger Connections & Support
The program fosters a community of like-minded entrepreneurs, providing:
Built-in networking opportunities
Accountability partners
Access to local business leaders and funding experts
Workshop Dates
February 1, 2025
April 5, 2025
June 7, 2025
August 2, 2025
October 4, 2025
December 6, 2025
What People Are Saying
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A special thank you to Raising the Barr for making this grant possible. Seeing how much work I put into my business, and choosing me as the winning candidate means A LOT. When you're funding your business out of pocket it hits different. Invest in yourself!
A. Spaulding
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Raising the Barr came through for me when I was struggling to figure out my next move. Their advice helped me figure out how to get some equipment I really needed. The mentorship is valuable. They actually care and check in on you. I can’t thank them enough for being in my corner.
T. Brockington
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I attended one of their workshops not really knowing what to expect, but I walked away with so many great things about funding and grant writing that I was able to start doing right away. It’s rare to find people who genuinely want to see you win, but that’s exactly what they're about. I feel like I'm a part of something bigger.
D. Marcus
500+ Entrepreneurs Trained and Mentored
20+ Pieces of Office Equipment Provided
$2.5k+ Awarded in Grants
100+ Training Events and Workshops Hosted
Donate
At Raising the Barr, we believe that investing in entrepreneurs is investing in the future of our communities. When you support RTB, you support a small business, a family, and a community.
Thank you in advance for your tax deductible contribution. Your charitable donation is invested in the creation, education, growth, and sustainability of small business and entrepreneurs. You are aiding in stimulating economic development and strengthening communities across the United States.
We Could Use Your Help
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Our Story
Raising the Barr was born from a deep desire to honor the legacy of Michelle Childress, a passionate young woman who was known for her boundless love and commitment to her community. Michelle’s vision was to uplift the people around her, and although her life was tragically cut short, her dream lives on through the work of her family.
Joanna Childress, Michelle's mother, was moved by Michelle’s unwavering devotion to others. In May 2019, she founded Raising the Barr to channel Michelle’s spirit into something that would make a lasting difference.
"What began as an idea inspired by loss has now grown into a nonprofit dedicated to providing crucial support to entrepreneurs and small businesses—just the kind of impact Michelle would have wanted" states her sister, Cynthia Ellis.