Local Entrepreneur Finds “More than a Grant Opportunity” with Community-Driven Economic Empowerment Grant
When Shaunte Whitted learned about the Community Loan Fund’s Community-Driven Economic Empowerment program in 2023, she discovered, in her words, “more than a grant opportunity.”
What Small Businesses Need to Succeed
Shaunte Whitted describes small businesses as “the heartbeat of local communities.”
“Not only do they provide the goods and services, they also create culture and allow communities to thrive,” she said.
And, as the owner of a business based in based in New Hampshire, she knows first-hand what small businesses need to succeed.
Shaunte is the lead strategist and CEO of SDW Communications, a traditional public relations firm launched in 2019 that specializes in corporate event planning and entertainment public relations.
Her business flourished over the first few years, as did her ideas for growth.
When Shaunte learned about the Community Loan Fund’s Community-Driven Economic Empowerment program in 2023, she discovered, in her words, “more than a grant opportunity.”
Community-Driven Economic Empowerment (C-DEE) provides capacity-building funding, coaching, and resources for New Hampshire entrepreneurs to help their businesses become financially resilient and self-sufficient.
She used her C-DEE grant to invest in a MacBook Pro.
“I was able to start recording events and use the MacBook at check-in at the reception and registration desk for events,” Shaunte said. “It absolutely changed the trajectory of my business doing the in-person events.”
“I lacked some of the hardware that I needed to bring it to the next level — to be able to do in-person events for my clients and to be able to offer seamless services using Apple products,” she said.
Building Up to a Banner Year
Through C-DEE, Shaunte also connected with the Center for Women in Enterprise and completed the center’s 10-week business planning cohort.
“Far beyond the resources I received, I acquired a lot of long-standing business alliances within the community,” she said.
With her new skills and technology, 2023 was a breakout year for Shaunte and SDW.
Now, after seven years as a business owner, she’s proud to give back as a volunteer for nonprofits and recommend the C-DEE program to other entrepreneurs with this advice:
“Go afraid, even while your knees are buckling. I guarantee on the other side you'll be standing tall and adding value to your customer's experience.”
Top photo: Shaunte Whitted (right) with Joede Brown, owner of Brown & Associates, at the C-DEE award ceremony in 2023.
Photo at right: Shaunte at the 2023 award ceremony.