Black History Month

This Black History Month, the Greater Dayton RTA is shining a spotlight on black-owned businesses.

We reached out to several business owners and asked them questions about their business. We wanted to know what inspired them to start their journeys and what advice they have for any aspiring entrepreneurs. Check out their answers below.

You can learn more about other black-owned businesses through the Dayton Convention and Visitors Bureau here and the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio here.

Courtlands Mobile Grill

Owner:
Guy C. Ansley

Name of business and address:
Courtlands Mobile Grill, locations vary depending on the time of the year

When was your business established?
2006

Number of locations:
Right now, just two because of the winter (Courthouse Square and the Job Center). Once the weather gets warmer, we're out at festivals and private events.

Number of employees:
One as of now. Yes, I'm hiring.

Give a brief description of your business:
Courtlands Mobile Grill offers comfort foods from chicken wings, whiting and tilapia fish, chicken tenders, tender sandwiches, cheese steaks and Betty burgers.

What does being a black business owner mean to you?
It gives me an opportunity to pursue my passion in food service and business.

Share a fun fact about your business:
The Betty burger is named after my mother.
Holly sauce is named after my daughter.
The Makanna Jean BBQ sauce is named after my granddaughter.

How to get there?
Within walking distance of Wright Stop Plaza when parked at Courthouse Square

Website:
Facebook

Now and Zen DIY Studio

Paula, Now and Zen — Paula Willis, Now and Zen

Owners:
Paula Willis and Alleah Cooks

Name of business and address:
Now and Zen DIY Studio, 121 E. 3rd St., Dayton, OH

When was your business established?
2018

Number of locations:
One location, Fire Block District Downtown Dayton

Number of employees:
2

Give a brief description of your business:
Now and Zen DIY Studio is a modern terrarium building studio located in the center of downtown Dayton's trendy Fire Block District. Our space is all about having fun and being creative! Our Terrarium Bar is unique to the region and houses a curated selection of vessels, plants, soils and embellishments perfect for terrarium building. We’re a place where folks can be creative and connect with nature, all while having a fun experience with relatives, friends and colleagues. Now and Zen DIY Studio is also a cool and unexpected choice for private events and corporate team building. We invite those wanting to dive deeper into terrarium design to check out our schedule of special terrarium workshops.

We host private events, such as showers, birthday parties and corporate team building!
We will travel to you for groups of 20 or more!
We have Terrarium DIY Kits that we ship all across the country and Canada!
We sell house plants and ready-made terrariums too!

Whether you choose our retail products, a walk-in terrarium create, or a public or private workshop, all are great opportunities to find your Zen and have a unique experience with colleagues, family, and friends and Now and Zen DIY Studio.

What does being a black business owner mean to you?
Being an entrepreneur certainly allows us to have the freedom to be creative and opportunity for financial growth and personal growth. We're a family business, co-owned by mother and daughter and that makes our business journey feel safe and special. Our plan is for this business to become a family legacy and be in the Dayton area, and maybe beyond for years to come.

Share a fun fact about your business:
We began our business selling our terrarium designs at Dayton’s 2nd Street Market and received request from customers for terrarium building workshops. After a couple of years of traveling to conduct terrarium workshops, the time came for us to take the next step and secure a brick-and-mortar space for our growing business.

How to get there?
Within walking distance of Wright Stop Plaza

Website:
www.shopnowandzen.com/

DK&J Pump Inc.

Kevin Whatley DK&J Pump — Kevin Whatley, DK&J Pump

Name of owners:
Kevin Whatley and John Pope

Name of business and address:
DK&J PUMP INC., 4815 Salem Ave., Trotwood, OH

When was your business established?
1999

Number of locations:
One

Number of employees:
Eight contractors

Give a brief description of your business:
DK&J PUMP INC. is a health and wellness workout studio featuring personal trainers, along with dance and aerobic classes.

What does being a black business owner mean to you?
Being in control of your own destiny I think gives you a great piece of mind. Also, to help the community stay healthy, both physically and mentally, is very satisfying.

Share a fun fact about your business:
The home of all natural pro body builders and world class dancers.

How to get there?
Take Route 8 to stop ID 2662

Website:
Facebook

Ms. Shelly's Place

Name of owner:
Shelly Engram

Name of business and address:
Ms. Shelly's Place Early Childhood Development Center, 5648 N Springboro Pike, Moraine, OH

When was your business established?
2019

Number of locations:
One

Number of employees:
Five

Give a brief description of your business:
As a five-star center, we are dedicated to cultivating a supportive community that celebrates diversity, fostering a love for learning, and lays the foundation for lifelong success.

What does being a black business owner mean to you?
It gives me a sense of pride as a black woman to own a business, especially childcare. It brings me a sense of worth just knowing that owning my own business gives me a range of opportunities.

Share a fun fact about your business:
Children themselves are funny

How to get there?
Take Route 18 to stop ID 7103