By: AIF Staff
Janesville, WI – This morning, the American Idea Foundation released a video showcasing the work being done by Corner to Corner, a community-led non-profit organization that promotes entrepreneurship, economic opportunities, and educational activities in Nashville, TN.
The video focuses on one of Corner to Corner’s most impactful programs, The Academy, a 10-week program providing aspiring business-owners with the skills necessary to plan, start, and grow their own companies. The Academy teaches participants the fundamentals of running a business covering topics like digital marketing, book-keeping, and administration, and also bringing in local subject-matter experts to help expand these future business-owners’ bases of knowledge. Since 2016, The Academy has taught over 500 entrepreneurs and these business owners have generated over $13 million for the local economy.
Watch the video about Corner to Corner & The Academy here.
In October, American Idea Foundation President and former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) visited Corner to Corner to learn more about The Academy, to talk with program participants and graduates about why the approach is impactful, and to discuss how policymakers can help foster entrepreneurship in historically under-capitalized communities. Joining Ryan in the conversation were representatives from the offices of Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Governor Bill Lee (R-TN).
Upon the release of the video and following his visit at Corner to Corner, Ryan said:
“It is impossible to visit Corner to Corner and not be inspired. The Academy is giving these aspiring entrepreneurs the confidence to succeed, the skills to get their businesses up and running, and the network to grow over the long-term. The enthusiasm, the passion, and the creativity possessed by graduates of The Academy was truly awesome to see.
“Corner to Corner has created this ecosystem of entrepreneurship that is community-led and growing with each graduating class of The Academy. The energy around Corner to Corner is infectious and it is clearly having a positive economic impact in Nashville. Students come to The Academy with a dream and Will, Shana, the instructors, and the alumni help make those dreams a reality by giving them the knowledge and assistance necessary to launch well-run businesses.
“The early evidence in support of this program is strong and I am hopeful Corner to Corner’s approach continues to be validated through more research because it is changing lives and creating amazing success stories in the process.”
Corner to Corner was one of five front-line organizations to receive a grant from the American Idea Foundation in 2022 and the American Idea Foundation will continue to provide advice, guidance, and support as Corner to Corner develops their evidence-based approach to expanding entrepreneurship. To learn more about the organization, please visit: https://cornertocorner.org/.
###