Our most recent Small Biz Cares Scholarship recipient is an aspiring entrepreneur and Scholar Network student at Columbus State Community College with an inspiring story to share. Caidyn Bearfield is a driven young woman who has overcome many adversities as a former foster youth, and through Columbus State’s Scholar Network program was awarded our Small Biz Cares Scholarship in 2021 to pursue an Associate of Arts degree and CSCC’s Entrepreneur Certificate.

Her story is just one example of the impact SBC is creating throughout Central Ohio as a result of the collective efforts of our small business community and supporters like you. Thanks to your efforts and financial contributions to Small Biz Cares, we are providing life-changing opportunities in our community which otherwise would not exist.  We’re grateful for the opportunity to share Caidyn’s story with you today and can’t wait to see Caidyn and SBC scholars like her succeed in making their own mark on our community.

Thanks to each and everyone of you who have contributed to our Small Biz Cares Scholarship Fund.  We invite you to join us in building bright futures for inspiring Ohioans like Caidyn by becoming a Small Biz Cares Scholarship supporter today. With your help, 2022 will be our most impactful year yet.

Meet Caidyn, 2021 Small Biz Cares Scholarship Recipient

Go get ’em, Caidyn- we know you will do great things!

A Message of Gratitude and Thanks from Caidyn

Former Scholarship Recipient Thank You Letters

We received some truly thoughtful thank you letters over the years. Each story is unique and has left a lasting impression on our hearts and represents the “why” behind what we do. We wish every Small Biz Cares Scholar the best of luck as they finish their studies and pave their way into a successful future!

Dear Donor,

Thank you for choosing me for the Small Biz Cares Scholarship. It couldn’t have come at a better time.
I have recently lost my job of 14 years and was worrying about tuition towards completing my degree. This truly a blessing for me and looking forward to becoming a small business owner in the future.

Yours Truly,
Antonio Nichols

CSCC student

Dear Scholarship Donors,

Thank you for choosing me as the recipient of the Small Biz Cares Scholarship! Receiving this scholarship will reduce my residual tuition burden by lessening the amount of Federal student loans I have to borrow. It also means I can add an additional class in Autumn Semester, now that I have more funding for tuition, books, and supplies.

I’m attending Columbus State to learn the fundamentals of starting and maintaining a successful business. Prior to this, I did not have a clear vision of what would be my next step in life. Through the mentorship and guidance of my professors, I have been able to conceptualize and realize a profitable combination of my Fine Art background, my Aesthetics and Cosmetology experience, and my paramedical re-pigmentation training. Since my first business class in January of 2018, I have learned essential and applicable knowledge that I was missing in order to start up; just having a working vocabulary of business terms has helped me expand and describe my business plans far beyond what I had initially envisioned. My greatest achievement to date has been completing my 35-page business plan, which took six months of research and editing to finish. So far, I have beta tested my concept in two central Ohio locations with different target customer segments, and I plan to launch an independent studio after graduating in 2020. During my time at Columbus State, I have also achieved status as a 5-star level member of the international Honor Society, Phi Theta Kappa.

This opportunity helps me to achieve my dream of business ownership. When I was notified that I was the recipient of this scholarship, it renewed my excitement for the Autumn Semester, and gave me more incentive to work toward completing my educational goals. Thank you again for your kindness and generosity.

Sincerely,
Jessie M. Ellwood

To the members of the Small Biz Cares scholarship committee,

I would like to thank you. This money will go far in helping me complete my studies at Columbus State Community College.
This money will help maintain the security necessary and allow me to focus not only on my immediate studies, but it will give me the confidence and peace of mind required to plan and achieve goals toward a prosperous future.
Again, I thank you from my heart.

Sincerely yours,
Shoffon R. Scipio

Interested in helping Small Biz Cares Impact the Community? Learn how to get involved with Small Biz Cares today.

OUR MISSION:

To connect, mobilize, and inspire small businesses to create lasting positive impact in our community.