Success Story: The Grace & Gumption Holistic Wellness, LLC

Nancy Smith-Gregory has been involved in the health and wellness field for over 25 years and it all started when she wanted her children to participant in YMCA activities. However, when she realized that she couldn’t afford to provide this opportunity to her children, she began working at the front desk so they would be able to participate. It was during this time that she fell in love with providing personal health and wellness coaching. Since then, it has always been a dream of hers to provide a holistic approach to overall wellness including exercise and healthy eating.

Nancy sought assistance from the Small Business Center where she became a participant in the Everyday Entrepreneur Venture Fund (EEVF) program in 2020 and again in 2022. This program is designed to provide business start-ups with the tools necessary to complete a business plan providing them with the opportunity to pitch his/her idea to a funding committee made up of local entrepreneurs. Despite being unable to finish the program due to her father’s illness and facing the COVID-19 pandemic, Nancy pursued her dream and never gave up hope that one day she would complete the program, receive grant money, and create the business that she has always dreamed of.

With the help of the Small Business Center, Nancy was able to reach her goal to be a part of the 2023 EEVF program, receiving grant money to pursue The Grace & Gumption Holistic Wellness, LLC. This grant money was provided to help her business purchase specific equipment and complete necessary upgrades to the space. The new piece of equipment, called the SciFit, is a cardio machine that allows you to move your hands and feet. She shared that with this specific piece, it has the ability to accommodate those who are wheelchair bound and since equipment arrived, each participant has been able to use it on a regular basis. “This piece of equipment along with the help of the SBC has been such a blessing” Nancy shared.