Business Incubator
The Business Incubator is a dynamic initiative to foster the growth and success of minority-owned businesses and entrepreneurs, with a special focus on service-based businesses. As a leading advocate for diversity and inclusion, Business Seals firmly believes in creating opportunities for underrepresented communities in the business world. This incubator represents a significant step forward in empowering minority entrepreneurs, providing them with the necessary resources, mentorship, coaching, support, and wrap-around services to turn their visions into successful and sustainable ventures.
The Vision
Our vision is to create a level playing field for all aspiring entrepreneurs, irrespective of their background. We understand that minority-owned businesses often face unique challenges, including limited access to funding, networks, and mentorship. We aim to bridge this gap by offering tailored support to entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds. By doing so, we seek to foster a more inclusive and robust business ecosystem, where innovative ideas and talents can flourish, contributing to economic growth and societal progress.
Impact and Long-term Goals
The success of our Business Incubator is measured not only by the growth of individual businesses but also by the collective impact on the minority entrepreneurship landscape. We aspire to see a significant increase in the number of successful minority-owned businesses, contributing to job creation, economic development, and community empowerment. Over time, our goal is to establish the incubator as a benchmark for supporting minority entrepreneurs and inspiring similar initiatives across the mid-west and the country as a whole.
Difference Between a Business Incubator and a Business Accelerator
Business Incubator
- Purpose: A business incubator helps early-stage companies grow by providing support, resources, and services over a longer period, typically until they can stand on their own.
- Duration: Incubators often work with companies for 1-5 years.
- Focus: They focus on helping startups develop their business ideas, refine their business models, and achieve sustainable growth.
- Services: Services can include office space, mentoring, access to investors, networking opportunities, and sometimes seed funding.
- Stage: Incubators are for companies that are often in the idea or very early stages of development. The aim is to help them build a strong foundation.
- Equity: Incubators may or may not take equity in the companies they support.
Business Accelerator
- Purpose: A business accelerator is designed to rapidly scale a business, usually through a short-term, intensive program.
Duration: Accelerators typically run programs lasting 3-6 months. - Focus: The focus is on accelerating the growth of an already existing business with a proven product or service.
- Services: Accelerators provide intense mentorship, funding opportunities, and access to a network of investors, often in exchange for equity in the company.
- Stage: Accelerators target companies that are more advanced in their development, often with a working product and initial revenue.
- Equity: Most accelerators take an equity stake in the companies they support in exchange for their services and funding.
Program Highlights
Access to Capital: One of the primary hurdles faced by minority-owned businesses and service-based entrepreneurs is securing adequate funding. Through our incubator, we collaborate with financial partners, investors, and government agencies to facilitate access to capital for the participating entrepreneurs. We guide them in creating compelling business plans and connect them with potential investors, helping them turn their dreams into viable ventures.
Mentorship and Guidance: Business Seals recognizes the value of experienced mentorship in an entrepreneur's journey. We pair each participant with seasoned mentors and coaches that have a track record of success in their respective industries. These mentors provide valuable insights, industry knowledge, and advice to navigate challenges and make informed decisions.
Skills Development: Entrepreneurship requires a diverse skill set, ranging from leadership and marketing to financial management and operations. Our incubator offers workshops, seminars, and training sessions tailored to address the specific needs of each participant. By enhancing their skill sets, we aim to empower entrepreneurs to take their businesses to new heights.
Networking Opportunities: Business Seals' vast network of industry professionals, potential partners, and customers will be at the disposal of the incubator project participants. We organize networking events and facilitate connections that can open doors to new opportunities and collaborations.
Community Building: Creating a supportive and collaborative community is essential for the success of any incubator. Business Seals will encourage participants to engage with each other, fostering a sense of camaraderie and enabling knowledge sharing and peer learning.
Coaching Team and Instructors
Deborah A. Dogba
Lead Coach and Instructor, Curriculum Development
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Deborah A. Dogba
Lead Coach and Instructor, Curriculum Development
Known as the “Business Seal”, Deborah Dogba is a global leader and an organizational strategist, on a mission to bring solutions to businesses. Ms. Dogba builds and restores businesses and systems, turns talents and passion into sustainable incomes, and supports the minority and underserved communities on their entrepreneurial journey, with excellence, bringing them from the shadows to the light.
Ms. Dogba earned a BS degree in Business Administration, Banking, and Financial Markets and a second bachelor’s degree in organizational psychology respectively from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and the University of Lomé (Togo).
Deborah is a builder, a serial entrepreneur, a business strategist, a global influencer, and a BIPOC Champion. She is an active member of the Omaha community with a history of helping entrepreneurs, businesses, and communities improve, grow, and succeed. Ms. Dogba is currently the CEO of Business Seals Consulting Firm, LLC, an SBA WOSB, DBE, and Mountain Plains Minority Development Council MBE certified.
Blaise Dalmeida
Business Coach and Tax Advisor
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Blaise Dalmeida
Business Coach and Tax Advisor
Blaise Dalmeida, Business Coach and Tax Advisor is an entrepreneur and a business owner (Beta Tax Services, LLC) living in Omaha. Specializing in tax strategies and business consulting, he also provides insurance services. He holds an MBA from Bellevue University with an emphasis in Management Information Systems.
He has help many of his clients turning their dreams into functional business operations because he believes passionately in creating wealth through entrepreneurship.
He spends his time reading, music, cinema, travel. He also train in diverse disciplines to improve himself.
DaVannis Donaldson
Certified Business Credit Specialist
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DaVannis Donaldson
Certified Business Credit Specialist
DaVannis Donaldson is a seasoned and accomplished Certified Business Credit Specialist with a passion for helping small businesses thrive through responsible business financial management. With over 10 years of business management experience, DaVannis possesses a deep understanding of Business Structure, Business Credit, and Business Funding tailored to the unique needs of diverse businesses.
Throughout her career, DaVannis has worked with a wide range of businesses, from small startups to more established corporations, across various industries. Her expertise lies in providing expert guidance to entrepreneurs and executives to navigate the complexities of business structure and credit, ultimately empowering them to make informed decisions that drive growth and success.
As a Business Credit Specialist, DaVannis takes a client-centric approach, building strong relationships with her clients to gain a comprehensive understanding of their financial goals and challenges. She is committed to providing personalized credit solutions that align with the company's objectives, ensuring they have access to the necessary funding to fuel their ambitions.
DaVannis's in-depth knowledge of credit laws, business regulations, business credit bureaus and best practices allows her to assist her clients in improving their business credit profiles, enhancing their borrowing capacity, and securing favorable credit terms from lenders and financial institutions. She takes pride in her ability to demystify complex financial concepts, enabling her clients to develop financial acumen and become more adept at managing credit effectively.
Beyond her professional acumen, DaVannis is an excellent communicator, known for her ability to explain financial intricacies in simple terms, making her a trusted advisor and educator for her clients. She understands that financial education is essential for empowering individuals and businesses to achieve economic stability and prosperity.
Noah Dogba
Lead Project Coordinator, Student at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
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Noah Dogba
Lead Project Coordinator, Student at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Noah Dogba is an honors graduate from Creighton Prep High School and is currently pursuing studies in Architecture and Pre-Med at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
A well-rounded individual, Noah excelled in basketball, track, and community service, volunteering at the Stephen Center and Operation Others. In recognition of his dedication, he was honored with Creighton Prep’s 2023 Community Service and Leadership Award.
With experience in guest relations at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, Noah has also served as a Step-Up program ambassador for three years, showcasing his leadership abilities. Currently, he is part of Lifegate Church's Production Team in Papillion, where he leads as the video director and lighting technician.
Fluent in English, Spanish, French, and the African Ewe dialect, Noah’s skills extend to photography and videography, contributing to major events such as the Afro Swag Awards Gala and UNMC Culture Fest.
His unique blend of cultural awareness and technical expertise sets him apart. In 2023, Noah was named among The Bloc’s “20 Under 20” for his leadership. He further demonstrated his commitment to youth empowerment by joining the Business Seals Summer Youth Entrepreneurship Program Development Team in 2024, where he led workshops on entrepreneurship, business idea development, logo design, fundraising, and pitch preparation.
Currently, Noah is the Lead Project Coordinator with MogulNest, a business incubator by Business Seals. He is pursuing his dual degree in Pre-med and Architecture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Fall 2024 Inaugural Cohort
Bintou Boussari
Co-owner of Fenou's Organic Market
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Bintou Boussari
o-owner of Fenou's Organic Market
Bintou Boussari has a wealth of experience in sales and marketing. With a career spanning over two decades, Bintou has honed her skills in identifying market trends, developing strategic marketing campaigns, and fostering strong customer relationships. She is passionate about promoting organic and all-natural products. As a seasoned entrepreneur for over 20 years, Bintou's entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to delivering exceptional customer experiences define her commitment to excellence.
Galat Toang
Officer with the Omaha Police Department (Founder, Brother2Brother Lawn and More, LLC)
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Galat Toang
Officer with the Omaha Police Department (OPD)
Galat Toang is a dedicated officer with the Omaha Police Department (OPD) and former liaison at the Boys & Girls Club of the Midlands, where he served as a gang specialist. He began his career with OPD in November 2019, shortly after earning his BA in Communication with a minor in Business from Bellevue University. Driven by a profound sense of purpose, Galat believes his role is a calling from God, shaped by his own challenging upbringing and experiences as a young immigrant.
Passionate about supporting vulnerable youth in the Omaha community, Galat leverages his past to build meaningful connections and provide mentorship. He advocates for education as a vital foundation for youth empowerment, aiming to inspire a sense of pride and responsibility within the community. Through his work, he emphasizes the importance of collaboration among the Diaspora to effect positive change and nurture future leaders. Galat is committed to creating safe spaces for young people to learn and grow, with future plans to partner with like-minded individuals to further transform the community.
Galat founded Brother2Brother LLC, offering Lawn Care Services in 2024.
Gino Houanye
Co-owner of Fenou’s Organic Market
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Gino Houanye
Co-owner of Fenou’s Organic Market
Gino Houanye, co-owner of Fenou’s Organic Market, is a seasoned business owner and management professional with years of experience steering successful ventures. His background in management makes him an asset with a strategic and operational perspective in business. Gino has expertise in optimizing business processes, ensuring efficient operations, and fostering a positive organizational culture. Gino has an instrumental leadership in maintaining discipline, integrity, and quality, which are foundational values.
Mr Houanye holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Biology and Geology from the University of Abomey-Calavi in Benin/Africa. Also, he is currently working on his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with a focus on Accounting at Metropolitan community college and Bellevue University.
Justin Wilson Jr.
Founder and owner of Threaded Dreams, LLC
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Justin Wilson Jr.
Founder and owner of Threaded Dreams, LLC
Justin Wilson Jr. is the 16-year-old founder and owner of Threaded Dreams, LLC a streetwear brand that blends affordability with fashion-forward designs. With a passion for creating stylish and accessible clothing for teens and young adults, Justin launched his e-commerce business in 2023, focusing on providing quality apparel at fair prices. As a full-time student, he balances his studies and business, working after school and on weekends to grow his brand. His vision is to empower individuals through fashion, making Threaded Dreams a go-to destination for those looking for bold, expressive streetwear.
Rodney Bennett
Founder and CEO of SunFlare Brands Company
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Rodney Bennett
Founder and CEO of SunFlare Brands Company
Experienced professional in Hospitality/tourism management, training, operations, quality management, and multi-channel Contact Center team leadership with over 15 years leading high performing teams. I have a demonstrated history of working in customer service-oriented fields as well as a background in Diversity/Inclusion including Employee Resource Group leadership.
My motto has always been to create a solution if there is a need. I strive to improve performance and processes in an effort to better support customers and develop future leaders.
I enjoy the challenge of multitasking. Being allowed to juggle multiple goals, schedules, training requirements, quality assurance requirements, different job tools, and techniques has been something I got to do when I managed up to 3 different teams at one time. I excel in a fast-paced setting and thrive in ever-changing environments.
Rodney founded SunFlare Candles part of SunFlare Brands.
Nevaeh Bonner
Owner, Unique’s Cosmetics LLC
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Nevaeh Bonner
Owner, Unique’s Cosmetics LLC
At just seventeen years old, Nevaeh Bonner is the founder and CEO of Unique’s Cosmetics, a vibrant and trend setting cosmetics line. With a passion for beauty and entrepreneurship, she has built her brand around empowering young individuals to express themselves through high quality, affordable skin care and safety. Unique Cosmetics’ vision is to inspire confidence in teenage girls through beauty and self-care, helping them believe in their potential. With her business starting in 2020, Nevaeh started selling to family members and friends. The Business and International Business pathways in high school and college have helped Nevaeh manage to gain experience in the business industry at such a young age. A program through Empowerment Network called Step – Up gave an opportunity to put this knowledge and experience in place. Her entrepreneurial journey is not just about selling cosmetics – it is about inspiring other young people to chase their dreams, break barriers, and redefine the future of beauty. Nevaeh aims to create a community where every girl shines bright like a diamond.
Making a Difference, Together
At Business Seals, we envision a future where diverse entrepreneurs are leading the charge in innovation, creating jobs, and shaping industries. By launching our Business Incubator for minority-owned businesses and entrepreneurs, we are taking a significant step towards making that vision a reality. By supporting these entrepreneurs, we contribute to the growth of local economies and foster a more inclusive and vibrant business landscape.
Join us on this journey of empowerment and transformation. Together, we can unlock the immense potential of minority-owned businesses and entrepreneurs, making a lasting impact on communities and the world. Apply now and let Business Seals help turn your dreams into achievements.