Young Bowens, the founder of Conscious Gear, found herself in need of funding to raise awareness of her business in its second year. Turning to the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready grant program for small business owners, she was able to secure a $10,000 grant earlier this year. This grant allowed her to implement Conscious Gear’s year-end holiday marketing plan, which included digital advertising and vendor setup at holiday events to build brand awareness and increase sales.
In a statement, Young Bowens expressed her gratitude for the grant, stating that it provided her with valuable space and time to focus on the next steps for her business without the immediate financial pressure. She emphasized that the grant allowed her to carefully plan and ensure that every dollar was spent in the most effective way possible to propel her business forward.
As a new entrepreneur, Young Bowens was initially drawn to the Verizon program for the grant opportunity but quickly discovered the additional benefits of the program’s courses. Through courses such as Selling with Storytelling: Unlock Your Business Superpower and Sell Effectively Online: eCommerce Essentials, Young Bowens honed her small business skills, particularly in marketing.
One of the key takeaways from the courses was the importance of sharing the personal story behind Conscious Gear to forge a connection with customers. By sharing the company’s story across social media and on the website, Young Bowens saw a significant increase in social media followers, tripling from 300 to over 1,000 within a year.
Additionally, Young Bowens delved into the world of search engine optimization (SEO) through the Digital Ready course “The Basics of Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Get Discovered.” Prior to taking the course, SEO was a foreign concept to her. However, after completing the course, she gained a better understanding of the power of SEO and its potential impact on her business.
Overall, Young Bowens’ experience with the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready grant program was a transformative one. Not only did she receive much-needed funding to support her business, but she also gained valuable knowledge and skills through the program’s courses. With the grant and newfound expertise, Young Bowens was able to successfully execute her year-end holiday marketing plan and position Conscious Gear for continued growth and success in the future.
