Nine small business owners this week publicly presented comprehensive business plans to an attentive audience of supporters and partner organizations. The plans represented the culmination of their participation in the Supplier Readiness Accelerator, an initiative of Greater St. Louis, Inc. that prepares locally owned small businesses for growth and integration into corporate supply chains.
“This is an experience that no matter where you’re starting, it gives you the opportunity to really jump in, connect with the folks that you want to meet, and receive real mentorship from people who are two or three steps ahead of where you are right now,” said Calvin Dantley, Founder and Principal, Master Systems LLC and a Spring 2026 Accelerator graduate.
The 12-week, cohort-based program begins with a baseline assessment for each participating business, then, over the course of three months, blends structured learning with applied practice. The result is more confident small business owners better prepared to compete for contracts and support corporate partners.
Spring 2026 Supplier Readiness Accelerator Graduates
- Calvin Dantley, Master Systems LLC
- Quentin Womack, Orise Distribution
- Raven Pugh, Upper Coaching
- Robert Dobynes, Eye Fashion Factory
- James Maisel, TRiTrech Company
- Sabrina Westfall, JWest Electrical
- Tatum Gentry, K&T Cleaning Services
- Adam Heil, Roady Exteriors LLC
- Gerry Bolden, Bolden Construction
- Lekesha Chapman, Waxed Out Candle Gallery
Growing the Region’s Small Businesses
The Accelerator is just one of many tools Greater St. Louis, Inc. offers to support small business growth within the 15-county St. Louis region, including SupplySTL, which works to shape a world class ecosystem for small businesses, bringing together small business support organizations, anchor institutions, and corporations.
The next Supplier Readiness Accelerator cohort begins Aug. 19, 2026. Applications are now open.