Our Mission

Empowering entrepreneurs to transform ideas into invoices.

OUR VISION

Equipping youth and adult innovators and entrepreneurs to become the small business owners of tomorrow.

The Outcome

Learning the principles of entrepreneurship, biblical marketplace principles and
business practices, integrated
with the actual process of creating
an enterprise, develops:

  • Godly character and biblical business wisdom
  • Life skills and critical thinking skills
  • Free-market participation
  • Positive self-concept and personal motivation
  • Teamwork skills
  • Presentation and public speaking skills
AR2023 Cover Slide

Entrenuity 2023 Annual Report

2023

2023 was a year of growth for Entrenuity in every aspect, from the variety of programs and events offered to the number of clients coached, the abundance of tools and resources provided, and the funds raised. Throughout the year Entrenuity successfully connected with a diverse community of ambitious entrepreneurs and business owners, empowering them with the knowledge and skills needed to turn their ideas into thriving ventures. 

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Our Team

The Founder

L. Brian Jenkins, MA

L. Brian Jenkins, MA, is a successful business leader, author, and speaker with over 25 years of experience in entrepreneurship programming and nonprofit leadership. He is the Founder and President of Entrenuity, NFP, and StartingUp Business Solutions, Inc., and a founding partner of Renew Pavement Solutions, LLC. Under Brian's leadership, Entrenuity employs over 50 individuals from diverse backgrounds in both part-time and full-time positions through a variety of business initiatives, including Mox.E Coworking, OAD Productions, and two craft coffee shops–Overflow Coffee in the South Loop and The Common Cup in Rogers Park. Brian is the author of StartingUp Now: 24 Steps to Launch Your Own Business, and Know More Nonprofits: Moving From Dependency to Sustainability. He is the catalyst for the development of SUN Suite, a collection of business planning and financial apps, and the StartingUp Now Business Simulation Game. Brian and his wife, Dr. Jenai Jenkins, reside in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago with their teenage daughter, Brooke, and are also the parents of two adult children, Bria (Jenkins) Blair and Braxton Jenkins.

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Vice President of Administration

Randi Craigen

Vice President of Administration

Randi Craigen


Randi Craigen has over 20 years experience in multiple administrative settings, particularly in the nonprofit industry. Randi attended Grace College in Winona Lake, IN where she studied English & Biblical Studies. Randi is married to Clive Craigen and they have four grown children and one adorable grandbaby. Randi can be reached at randi.craigen@entrenuity.com.

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Director of Operations

Kristi White

Director of Operations

Kristi White


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Producer - OAD Productions

Liv Roskos

Producer - OAD Productions

Liv Roskos


Olivia (Liv) Roskos Peterson is a vocalist, musician, and producer. Liv has experience in writing and developing scripts and multi-media productions, managing music and restaurant events in Chicago, working with fashion and costume design for theatrical productions, and helping kick-start music events throughout the city. Liv is passionate about creating spaces and events to showcase underrepresented artist entrepreneurs in Chicago.

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Bookkeeping Consultant

Wendy Daniels

Bookkeeping Consultant

Wendy Daniels


Wendy Daniels has been a Bookkeeping Consultant since 1997, specializing in Quickbooks and Quickbooks Online and is a Certified Quickbooks Online Pro-Advisor. She also has extensive knowledge of both Microsoft Excel and Word. Wendy provides bookkeeping services for both for-profit and non-profit organizations through her businesss, Books by Wendy, Inc. She has a BA in Rhetoric and an MA in English, both from the University of Illinois at Urbana.

Wendy and her family have lived in Oak Park, IL for the past 24 years. She has been an active member of the Oak Park community via her local church, PTO membership and offices, as well as serving on high school committees. She believes in action following discussion, and is pro-active in problem-solving personally and professionally.

 

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Common Cup General Manager

Jason Poleon

Common Cup General Manager

Jason Poleon


Jason Poleon has been working in the coffee industry since 1998. Spanning across the globe, he has worked and managed shops in Philadelphia, London, Las Vegas, and Chicago. Some highlights include being the corporate trainer and Manager for Julius Meinl Viennese KaffeeHaus in Lincoln Square, Shift Leader at Groundswell Coffee Roasters, Café Manager at Colectivo Coffee Roasters Andersonville, and General Manager at the Bean Caffe at Depaul University. Jason joined the Entrenuity team in January 2022 as the General Manager of our Common Cup coffee shop in the Rogers Park neighborhood.

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Overflow General Manager

Josh Magee

Overflow General Manager

Josh Magee


Joshua has 6 years of experience working in specialty coffee as both a barista and manager. He brings a wide breadth of coffee knowledge. He’s passionate about hospitality and community engagement through shared tables. Growing up as a pastor’s kid and having family-style dinners after church where anyone and everyone was invited and 20 or 120 people might show up, he has a unique perspective on the connections that can be forged in communities coming together around food and drink.  

Joshua’s goal as a part of the Entrenuity team is to help facilitate connections among Overflow and the surrounding community that let people know we’re more than just a business, we’re a space to prosper. 

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Staff Photographer, Project Manager for Overflow After Dark Productions

Yolanda Richards

Staff Photographer, Project Manager for Overflow After Dark Productions

Yolanda Richards


Yolanda is a Chicagoland-based photographer who fell in love with the craft at a young age. She established "Imagery By Chioma" a photography business that captures "unforgettable moments in time" specializing in events and portraits. Yolanda recently launched a photo series titled "Imagery Stills: Portrait Narratives in Black Form," where she photographed 12 participants who shared powerful stories about their experiences as people of Black/African descent. In February 2020, Yolanda curated her first sold-out art exhibit, along with two amazing artists, to showcase her photo series for Black history. Although her roots stem from Southern California, Yolanda has called the Chicagoland area her home since 2011 where she lives with her family.

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Financial Consultant

Lyman Howell

Financial Consultant

Lyman Howell


Lyman is the President of Regal Oak Financial, LLC, helping clients to achieve their financial goals. He is the President of the U.S. Board of World Renew, a non-profit organization that fights global poverty with approaches that include income generation. He has formally led a non-profit organization that consulted nationally to promote financial literacy. He has worked with others to mobilize small or micro businesses in the United States and in other countries. He has a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Northwestern University and an MBA in Finance and Marketing from the University of Chicago.

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Trainer

Shane A Scott

Trainer

Shane A Scott


Since 1998, Shane has been helping aspiring entrepreneurs bring their dreams to reality. Through his decades of business leadership and education administration experience, Shane has developed the skills necessary to lead aptly, especially in challenging situations. His razor-sharp business acumen, as well as his project management and systems development skills, provides expertise that creates an environment where change is embraced so business growth can occur.

Being a native of Jamaica, Shane has the entrepreneurial spirit running through his blood! He values the beauty and power created by cross-cultural learning environments and pulls from his varied areas of expertise to create dynamic training experiences. Living, working, and consulting across the Americas, Africa, and the Middle East, Shane has taught and spoken to thousands of youth and adults utilizing his unique approach to coach individuals on starting, growing, and operating businesses while integrating character development skills.

Shane holds a Masters of Education in Leadership and a Bachelors in International Business & Marketing. His wife Sarah and their 3 young children make their home in Clearwater, FL. During his free time, Shane serves on the boards of INGOs focused on developing leaders in the developing world where he can apply his Spanish-speaking skills in South America and the Caribbean as well as his multicultural competencies in countries of Africa and the Middle East.

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Creatve Director

Kathyjo Varco

Creatve Director

Kathyjo Varco


Kathyjo Varco operates as  full service Graphic Design Shop, offering complete Creative Brand Development, Brand Strategy, and effective Tactical Execution for clients of all sizes. She has 17 years experience in the realm of Marketing with a concentration in Brand Development, On/Off Premise Promotions, POP/POS development, Print, Pre-press Production and web-based applications.

As Sr. Art Director for Upshot Marketing, she was given the opportunity to use her energy and enthusiasm for effective print and web design with local and national brands including, Absolut Vodka, Herbal Essence, P&G, Disney Properties, Cover Girl, Sony and Coca-Cola.

As a freelance designer, she's provided Brand Identity Development, Creative Direction, as well as graphic execution for the likes of Clairs, Luxcon, Varco Windows & Doors, Starting Up Now Business Solutions, Brilliant Pet, Lucky Litter, UMI, Nita’s Gumbo, and most recently mox.E, Chicago's South Loop co-work sharing space.

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Our Sponsors

Entrenuity appreciates the generous support of our partners and project sponsors. We are grateful for the meaningful relationships we have and thank them for their valuable wisdom, leadership and support.