When did you receive a SEED Grant and how has it impacted your business?
I received a SEED Grant in May of 2024 and in a year we had to rebrand it was an integral part of our rebuilding and stepping into a new and more solid direction for my business. Our seed grant money was used for marketing materials, exterior signage and website design with our new logo and name.
Jayci Gesling
Owner of Tiny Play Cafe
Hi! I’m Jayci, executive director of Tiny Play Café – an indoor play café designed for young children and their caregivers. Located in south Columbia, Tiny Play Café offers a welcoming and accessible environment where kids can experience imaginative play, while parents enjoy a hot latte and a community building atmosphere. We host open play, private parties, events, and classes and aspire to create a space that creates joyful play, fulfilling rest and meaningful community.
What does being nominated for our WBE of the Year award mean to you?
Being nominated for the Minority and Women Business Enterprise award was a complete shock and is an undeserved honor. Entrepreneurs work hard to create spaces and services that our community values and uses, but spend considerably less time looking back on the impact or the accomplishment. It is truly humbling to be recognized among other business owners in a community with so many successful minority and women businesses.