ABOUT US
OUR MISSION
Empower, connect and grow small businesses in the Pensacola community
YOU’LL BE IN GOOD COMPANY
About The Spring
The Spring Entrepreneur Hub is a program of Studer Community Institute and exists to empower, connect and grow small businesses in the Pensacola area, serving as the front door to our community’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The Spring focuses on three key areas – mentorship, connection to resources, and scaling/acceleration – to bring unprecedented structure and aid to local small businesses in Escambia and Santa Rosa County.
Objectives of The Spring Pensacola
Triage entrepreneurs to resources within the ecosystem
Provide prestigious mentoring service
Provide space to build business
Help businesses grow and stay in the community
The Spring Team
MEET Arjuna Coles
In the role of Operations Assistant, Arjuna Coles oversees The Spring Co-working Space and ensures that members have the resources they need to be set up for success. Originally from Fairfax, VA, Arjuna moved to Pensacola after working in the Florida Keys for nearly two years. During his time in The Keys, Arjuna developed a passion for entrepreneurs and freelancers. Whether entrepreneurs need a dedicated space to work or are looking to get connected with The Spring’s vast amounts of resources, Arjuna is here to help.
Prior to joining The Spring, Arjuna was a Digital Marketing Specialist where he assisted with the website development process and design.
Contact Arjuna: acoles@studeri.org
MEET Gracie Price
In the role of Entrepreneurial Manager, Gracie Woodfin Price manages the day to day operations of The Spring programs and works to ensure local entrepreneurs receive the assistance and guidance they need to grow successful businesses. As a Pensacola native, she has great love for our community and is passionate about seeing it continue to prosper. Whether entrepreneurs are interested in receiving mentoring from one of The Spring's prestigious mentors, or they are looking for guidance within the ecosystem, Gracie is here to help and serve as their go-to resource when starting a business.
Prior to joining The Spring, Gracie was a Project Analyst with Studer Group | Huron Consulting Group where she worked with highly-experienced coach consultants to help healthcare organizations across the nation transform their culture. Gracie graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in Marketing and Economics.
Contact Gracie: gprice@studeri.org
MEET Rodney Jackson
Rodney Jackson is the Director of Business Engagement for The Spring / Studer Community Institute. Rodney comes with over 28 years of banking experience to include leading retail and commercial teams. In addition, he has held the role of SBA product manager. He has been instrumental in serving on several boards to include the inaugural Board of Trustees for the Community Maritime Park, Escambia County Planning Board, Escambia Board of Adjustment, and the Pensacola CRA Advisory Board.
Contact Rodney: rjackson@studeri.org
MEET D.C. Reeves
D.C. Reeves serves as our Chief Entrepreneurship Officer at The Spring. Prior to his role as CEO, D.C. was the Chief of Staff for Studer Family of Companies.
D.C. is also an entrepreneur himself. He opened Perfect Plain Brewing Company in downtown Pensacola in November 2017 and focused its mission on community building and the organic creation of an incredible craft beer experience. Perfect Plain quickly became one of the busiest taprooms in the state of Florida. D.C. recently authored a book, The Microbrewery Handbook, outlining Perfect Plain’s success.
Before joining Studer Family of Companies, D.C., an FSU graduate, spent a decade as sports journalist, most recently covering the University of Alabama for the Pulitzer Prize-winning Tuscaloosa News from 2013 to 2015.
Contact D.C.: dcreeves@studeri.org
MEET Rachael Gillette
Rachael is the President of Studer Community Institute. She oversees the work, strategic planning, and financial stewardship for all of SCI. Rachael focuses on all core areas — early brain development, community building, leadership development, and entrepreneur support — to enable SCI to achieve its mission to improve the quality of life for all people in the diverse communities they serve.
Contact Rachael: rgillette@studeri.org
Interested In Supporting The Spring Entrepreneur Hub?
Click The Button Below To Donate.
Your donation helps us continue providing resources and programs geared toward improving the quality of life for the people of our community.
CONTACT US
We are here to help!
Visit us at 220 W Garden St. #100, Pensacola, FL 32502
Or give us a call at (850) 637-5797
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the cost of the programs?
There is no cost to participate in The Spring Venture Mentoring Service and the Gener8tor gBETA program. The rates for The Spring co-working space can be found here.
What is the time commitment for The Spring Venture Mentoring Service?
Mentees should expect to commit about 2 hours a month to the program. That includes a 90 minute session with mentors and any communication with The Spring VMS Staff. Mentoring sessions will not occur every month - the cadence of meetings is up to the mentee's discretion.
Mentors should expect to commit about 6 hours a month. This includes two-three 90 minute sessions with mentees (depending on how many companies the mentor works with), a 90 minute monthly mentor meeting that occur the first Thursday of each month from 12-1pm, and any communication with The Spring VMS Staff.
What is the time commitment for the gBETA program?
The gBETA program is a seven-week accelerator. During the program, companies meet with the gBETA team twice a week for an hour each to refine their business model, meet mentors, strategize their growth, gain customer traction and pitch investors.