Flight Night & The Celebration of Women Entrepreneurs
Aviatra Accelerators, a non-profit dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs through education, connections, and resources, is gearing up for its annual Flight Night! This year’s event will take place at the iconic 20th Century Theater, located in Oakley, on Thursday, September 5, 2024. As someone who has experienced firsthand the incredible support and opportunities Aviatra provides, We’re especially excited about this year’s celebration, which will shine a spotlight on both emerging and seasoned female business owners, our own Kerry Taft included.
Flight Night is more than just an event; it’s a celebration of the entrepreneurial spirit that drives so many women in our community. The evening will feature a pitch competition where local female-founded businesses have the chance to showcase what they’ve built. They’ve all completed Aviatra’s Momentum Accelerator®, an intensive ten-week program designed to help them master the fundamentals of their businesses and accelerate their growth. The winner of this competition will take home a $1,000 cash prize—a fantastic boost for any budding business.
Those competing this year are a diverse and talented group of entrepreneurs:
Sharlee Adams, owner of Tre`s Belle by Sharlee, offers an apprenticeship program for cosmetology graduates, equipping them with essential experience and business skills for their careers.
Libya Binford, owner of 10-D Outfitters Ltd, supplies specialty construction products to general contractors throughout the Tri-State area.
Kathleen “Mimi” Borne, owner of Mimi’s Macros, delivers healthy, gourmet meals directly to customers’ homes through her meal prep company.
Kisiah Cole, owner of Calming Souls Massage, provides in-home/mobile massage and assisted stretching services tailored to athletes seeking to enhance agility, aid recovery, and improve overall performance.
Jen Mahuet, owner of Jen Mahuet Photography, specializes in portraiture, finished photography, and heirloom portraiture services.
Lyndsey Paynter, owner of Paynterly Illustration, is launching a subscription-based community that uses art as a means of expression for mental health support.
Laurkita Sheffield, owner of Sheffield Accounting and Financial Services, offers a comprehensive range of bookkeeping, accounting, tax, and CFO services.
Kerry Taft, owner of Taft Systems (that’s me!), provides an all-in-one business management platform designed to help clients automate and streamline their operations.
Lori Wall, owner of Spanish on the Fly, offers conversational Spanish classes for corporations, adults, and children.
Throughout the Momentum® program, each entrepreneur developed a detailed business plan, including a three-year financial projection, and participated in extensive networking and coaching on crucial topics like sales strategies, finance, funding, marketing, human resources, and growth strategies—all guided by local experts. We even received $500 in in-kind services to help take our businesses to the next level.
What’s new and particularly exciting about this year’s Flight Night is the introduction of Aviatra’s Women Entrepreneur of the Year awards. These awards recognize extraordinary women entrepreneurs and business owners who are making a significant impact in our region. Winners will be announced across five categories: health, technology, for-profit businesses focused on community impact, entrepreneurs under the age of 23, and the prestigious Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Tickets for Flight Night are available now, and I encourage anyone who’s passionate about supporting women in business to join us. You can purchase tickets at Aviatra’s website.
About Aviatra Accelerators
For the past fifteen years, Aviatra Accelerators, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, has been a beacon of support for women entrepreneurs. Aviatra provides education, coaching, mentoring, networking, and access to capital, helping women at all stages of the business cycle. With a presence in Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Dayton, Ohio, Aviatra has empowered nearly 4,000 women entrepreneurs, leading to the creation of 15,000 jobs and millions in funding. Together, Aviatra alumni have generated over $1 billion in earned revenues. To learn more about Aviatra and read inspiring success stories, visitAviatra’s website.
