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
AR Cover

Entrenuity Annual Report

2020/21

2020 was a year of opportunities and challenges during the journey to build out our new space at 1449 S Michigan Ave. 2001 kept us challenged as we moved in, relaunched operations, and welcomed clients and guests into our new space. We were challenged to unify our vision, reinforce our values, and determine “who we really are” as an organization. We are better for it! 

Click HERE for downloadable PDF.

View Online Version

Our Team

The Founder

L. Brian Jenkins, MA

L. Brian Jenkins, Founder and President of Entrenuity, NFP, and StartingUp BusinessSolutions, Inc., has successfully provided entrepreneurship education, training and small business development for over 20 years in Chicago, nationally, and abroad.

Under Brian’s leadership, both organizations have successfully launched businesses that have generated over millions of dollars in revenue and helped countless entrepreneurs with their business plan development. Brian has led entrepreneurship training workshops for teachers and youth workers and is directly responsible for training thousands of urban young people in the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and financial literacy, in addition to teaching character/integrity based business operations.

In 2016, Brian launched mox.E, a co-work space and business incubator dedicated to coaching, connecting and capitalizing, particularly minority entrepreneurs. Mox.E’s mission is to build a strong business-focused community that supports ethnic diversity and fosters the spirit of entrepreneurial collaboration for success.

Brian has served as adjunct faculty at Moody Bible Institute, Illinois State University’s College of Business, The Urban Ministry Institute inWichita, KS and at North Park University’s School of Adult Learning, focusing on entrepreneurship education. He is a graduate of the University of Iowa with dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and Religion. Additionally, he earned his Masters of Arts in Theology from Wheaton College Graduate School and is the author of StartingUp Now: 24 Steps to Launch Your Own Business. Brian has been married for 22 years to Dr. Jenai Jenkins and they’ve been blessed with 3 children: Bria (20), Braxton (17), and Brooke (9). Brian and his family live in the Austin Community on Chicago’s west side.

Blank

Overflow Assistant General Manager

Josh Magee

Overflow Assistant 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. 

Blank

Operations Manager

Randi Craigen

Operations Manager

Randi Craigen


Randi Craigen has over 20 years experience in multiple administrative settings and serves as Operations Manager for Entrenuity. Randi attended Grace College in Winona Lake, IN where she studied English & Biblical Studies. Randi is married to Clive Craigen and they have 4 children. Randi is also an entrepreneur and creates custom jewelry which can be viewed at Randi Lee Jewelry. Randi can be reached at randi.craigen@entrenuity.com.

Blank

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.

Blank

Producer/Videographer

Scott Parker

Producer/Videographer

Scott Parker


Scott Parker, CEO/Writer/Producer for Change Media Group has conducted film-making workshops and produced/directed over 20 short films with children, volunteers and youth. His cliets include the MacArthur Foundation, northwestern University, university of Chicago, MoodyPublishing, Lawndale Community Development Corporation, Breakthrough Urban Ministries and more.

Blank

Consultant

Vicki Kim

Consultant

Vicki Kim


Vicki Kim's love for cooking and entertaining started from an early age, but she didn’t think to make it a career until her mid-20’s. Vicki was working in corporate consulting when her brother, Chef Edward Kim, decided to partner on creating a restaurant. In 2010, Chef Kim and his wife, Jenny, along with Vicki, and their friend Nate Chung opened their first restaurant, Ruxbin (named one of America's Top 10 Best New Restaurants by Bon Appetit and GQ Magazines), in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood. Three years later, they opened their second concept, Mott St (named one of America's Top 50 Best New Restaurants by Bon Appetit), a more casual restaurant that showcases family-style fare in a relaxed environment. Most recently, they opened Mini Mott, a counter service dining spot in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago, centered around their nationally recognized Mott St. burger (named #1 Burger in Chicago and #7 in America by Thrillist). 

Vicki knows that running a restaurant is a balancing act of great business skills and warm hospitality. She likes to build and platform businesses--especially restaurants and community. She joins the Entrenuity team as a Restaurant Consultant and Business Coach for our food industry entrepreneurs.

 

 

Blank

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.

 

Blank

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.

Blank

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.

Blank

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.

Blank

Mox.E Community Manager

Haley Garcia

Mox.E Community Manager

Haley Garcia


Haley Garcia is proud to be an Indigenous woman from a pueblo tribe in New Mexico called San Felipe Pueblo and the Diné Nation. Haley attended Columbia College for undergraduate studies, and Chicago became her second home. After graduating from Columbia, Haley returned to New Mexico and worked with her community to build the community's economic infrastructure in tribal gaming, investing, and strategic planning. Working for the community in economic development was life-changing and inspiring for Haley. Since 2015, spaces like mox.E provided Haley with the network and opportunities to develop her background and experience. She returned to Chicago in 2019 to work in the coworking industry professionally and became the Community Manager for mox.E Coworking in August 2021. Haley continues to enhance her knowledge and skills and grow as an entrepreneur. Her longterm goals are to contribute ideas for new businesses and help small business owners on her reservation.

Blank

Admin and Operations

Kristi White

Admin and Operations

Kristi White


Blank

Overflow Coffee General Manager

Jeanette Jain

Overflow Coffee General Manager

Jeanette Jain


Jeanette is the proud daughter of Filipino immigrants and a Chicago native. She loves living by the lake and hopes to always live nearby some body of water.

Jeanette is a seasoned food service leader with a love for people, hospitality, and learning. Jeanette brings to Entrenuity/Overflow over nine years of experience growing brands through community partnerships, marketing initiatives, team member training, and empowerment across different realms of the foodservice/hospitality industry, including sit-down restaurants, quick-service restaurants, and coffee. She loves coffee for the craft behind it, the science, and the PEOPLE!

Jeanette's gift and passion is building and strengthening businesses while equipping and exhorting business owners, leaders, and entrepreneurs to show true love in Christ to all those who work for and are served by their businesses. Jeanette was excited to join Entrenuity in July 2021 and consistently endeavors to unite the mission/vision of Entrenuity with the great work being done at Overflow Coffee, creating a space to prosper for all who walk inside the doors.

Blank

Producer - Overflow After Dark

Liv Roskos

Producer - Overflow After Dark

Liv Roskos


Olivia Roskos is a creative teaching artist with a background in Communications from Moody Bible Institute. Olivia has worked with a number of youth programs (Grip Outreach for Youth, The Miracle Center, After School Matters) in Chicago developing and directing multimedia performances in Chicago. A jack of all trades, Olivia 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. Currently, Liv works with Legacy Leaders International, is building her own business as a vocalist and violinist,  and produces the Overflow After Dark concert series for Entrenuity. Liv is passionate about creating spaces and events to showcase underrepresented artist entrepreneurs in Chicago.


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.