Success Stories

These are just a few examples of BEST Graduates who are creative leaders and had a vision to do something extraordinary. They all tapped into the thing they were passionate about, had knowledge and experience to reinvent themselves with a transferable skill-set. They have all demonstrated their ingenuity, determination and commitment to succeed.

Sharing A Network Economy

Support your Fellow Cohorts' businesses. We encourage BEST Graduate Cohorts to engage in visiting websites and social media, making referrals, purchasing products and services, to promote one another's businesses!

Gifted Fitness Classes 55% off on Groupon by Whitney Billings 

Juan Wong of J&E Gourmet Foods, Inc. stops by Simply Wholesome to service his brand of Nature's Cravings Vegan Cookies. Visit http://jegourmetfoods.com to learn more about how to enjoy Nature's Cravings.

Michele Hahn, JD, MFT, of Talk To Michele; is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, appears on KABC Radio "In Your Right Mind" to discuss Toxic Relationships. Select link to listen... http://www.kabc.com/2016/11/11/in-your-right-mind-radio-show/

Talk to Michele at: http://talktomichele.com/

Tawanna Wells, is a trained Chef from Le Cordon Bleu in Pasadena, California who grew up in the South watching her mother and auntie cook "Comfort Foods". Chef Tawanna has a BA in Business Management & Organization and Occupational Degree from Le Cordon Bleu. Tawanna founded T's Tasty Treats and is also a HomeCook for DishDivvy at https://www.dishdivvy.com/

https://www.tstastytreats.com/

Crystal Williams of Muck Duck Sinks provides Portable Concession Sinks to meet local food service codes for Food Vendors.

http://muddducksinks.weebly.com/

Aaron Alexander of Mudd Duck Catering provides meals for events, corporations, school districts and special occasions.

https://www.instagram.com/damuddduck/?hl=en

Victoria Fadipe of Laketoria Care Services is a Hair Stylist and Wig Designer.

https://www.picuki.com/profile/LakeToria_Care_Services

Terry Montgomery of Royal Buna Coffee provides Specialty Coffee from Ethiopia.

https://royalbuna.com/

Erica Jackson of En Au Spa, provides Mobile Nail and Hair Care Services facilitated by a redesigned Coach for onsite private or studio set services.

http:///enauspa.com

Flo Elkins of F.L.O. Life Fitness is a Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor for individuals and organizations who sponsor health and wellness programs.

https://flolifefitness.com/

Nasdaq: Faces Of Entrepreneurship

https://thecenter.nasdaq.org/foe-flo-elkins-flo-life-fitness/

Kadiatou Sibi is a Certified Ayureda Wellness Educator and Reiki Practioner, who provides guidance for a lifestyle of balance, wellness and nutritious diet. Visit A Web Of Wellness at: AWebOfWellness.com.

Nicole Michelle Richardson is a Hampton University Graduate; Certified by the Gemological Institute of America as a CAD Jewelry Designer. Nicole founded Exclusive Jewelry Collection by Nikki Michelle which provides hand-crafted custom jewelry. "Nikki" has designed custom jewelry for many film and television celebrities; who include: Sigourney Weaver, Nicolette Sheridan, Kiki Haynes, Loretta Devine, and Miss Nigeria- Genevieve Nnaji and Tamera Mowry. To view the beautiful collection, visit the website at: NikkiMichelle.Jewelry

service and special weekend and holiday travel excursions throughout California, Nevada and Arizona. 

Richard Clewett transferred his engineering skills from the aerospace industry; with a passion for Porsches and auto racing and started Clewett Engineering specializing in Porsche Ignition Systems for over twenty years. Richard has designed and manufacturers specialty items for ignition and high-performance engines. http://www.clewett.com

David Gordon transitioned from the Aerospace Industry; had passion for wine and was a connoisseur; and established the Arizona Wine Company in 1995 in Scottsdale, Arizona. The AZ Wine Company quickly became the Number Five Independent Wine Retailer in the State of Arizona within 5 months of operation. After years of success, David later sold the AZ Wine Company in pursuit of other ventures. https://rayklemp.wixsite.com/azwine

SaVerne Smith, in 2002 opened her own salon, Nails By SaVerne; is called "L.A.'s Best Pedicurist" by L.A. Weekly Magazine and counted in the "Top Two Nail Salons in Our Weekly Newspaper's "Best of Los Angeles. 2007" Issue. SaVerne has provided services to: Jada Pinkett-Smith, Elise Neal, Darryl Hannah, India.Aire, Macy Gray, Tipper Gore and Ann Hathaway. Clients include: Sony Studios Fashion Week, Academy Awards, NAACP Awards, MTV Film Awards, Staples Center and Four Seasons Hotel Beverly Hills.

Aaron Flournoy of Lil Bill's Mobile Bicycle Service & Sales provides onsite bike repair and on-call services for college students and bicyclists in the Los Angeles Community. http://lilbills.info/

Rezina Gipson of Resydnee OverNite Tax Return provides Income Taxes, Payroll Taxes, Business Taxes and Property Management services.

http://resydneeovernitetaxreturn.com/index.html

Ata Nabawi of Prism Juice Bar produces healthy juice creations for a healthy lifestyle. Ata decided to pivot from street vendor to healthy juice products manufacturer after the COVID-19 Pandemic.

https://www.kiva.org/lend/1969308?minimal=false

Ken Wilson started his career in music at Arista Records as district manager where he coordinated with distribution, sales, promotion and marketing departments. There he worked with acclaimed artists such as Whitney Houston, Whodini, Aretha Franklin, and Kenny G. Ken founded The Franchise Music Group which provides music entertainment consulting and promotion services for record companies and recording artists. https://thefranchisemusicgroup.com/about-us/ken-wilson/

Clint D. Johnson is the Creator, Author and Artist of the Comic Book Series: "Faith Walker"; a Christian Hero, with Biblical-Themed stories.

https://www.christianactionheroes.com/faith-walker-collected.html

Tanisha Pitts of Dreamy Vegan creates Ice Cream Popsicle Treats with nondairy ingredients.

https://dreamyvegan.com/about-us

Michelle Von Kannon and her sister opened the The Monogram Shoppe in Redondo Beach and celebrated eighteen years as an establishment.

They sold their business and was asked by new ownership to oversee daily operations.

http://themonogramshoppela.com

lead a gluten-free lifestyle. Lori has written a book about menus and recipes and has developed an app for shoppers. http://glutenfreeweek.com

Shea O'Neal left the banking industry and began a new business: Accounting Therapy serving clients with financial management systems needs for twenty years. http://accountingtherapy.com

James T. Kubeck started a business as James T. Kubeck Certified Home Inspections in 1999 and has celebrated fifteen years of successful operation.

https://www.jtkhomeinspection.com/

management successfully for over twenty-two years. Mary celebrated 22 years of demonstrated success and closed business in 2019.

Matt Rock started Affordable Lock and Security and has become one of the leading locksmiths serving Los Angeles and the South Bay for over twenty years. http://affordablelockandsecurity.com/

Deborah Bellis started Reflections Publishing House to provide publishing services, writer's workshops and technical assistance for new and aspiring authors. http://www.reflectionspublishings.com/

Rene Rawls is an award-winning screenwriter who absolutely loves creating content geared towards children, young adults and families.

Rene is also the creator of the Sule Series, which she initially conceived as a picture book and then adapted into an animated screenplay. This script went on to become the recipient of the 1st annual Mandela Day/Tribeca All Access Award and was ultimately produced as the animated short film entitled Sule and the Case of the Tiny Sparks.

http://www.suleseries.com/creator.html

Stella Okolo, a Registered Nurse; established Immediate Health Solutions, a Health Care Staffing Agency to place doctors, nurses and medical technicians on temporary assignments.

https://immediatehealthsolutions.com/

Dion Lack and Twilla Amin Tanyi collaborated to create Lack Toast Entertainment; a Video Production Company. LackToast Entertainment is an innovative multimedia production company spearheaded by a team of passionate young professionals with years of experience in Television, Commercial, Film and Entertainment.

https://www.lacktoastent.com/

Omar Muhammad of Crenshaw and Clark Financial has been providing quality personalized financial guidance to both individuals and businesses in the greater Los Angeles area.

https://www.crenshawandclark.com/

Melida Smith founded Uyoyo Peace; a 501(c)(3) California Public Benefit Non-Profit Corporation, to provide temporary housing for the homeless.

https://uyoyopeace.org/

Dee Crouch and Cassandra Vanderpool are two Veterans and the Founders of Life Source Oasis, a 501(c)(3) California Public Benefit Charitable Non-Profit to provide Tiny Houses for female veterans. https://lifesourceoasis.org/