Food Entrepreneurs Get a Free Crash Course in Growing a Business
By Brandon Cortes
Posted on October 7, 2026
About 130 food entrepreneurs registered for a free, daylong workshop at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) on Tuesday, a testament to the growing interest in supporting local food businesses. The event, hosted by the CT Food Business Lab and SCSU's Small Business Development Center, offered insights from access-to-capital panelists including:
- Lindy Lee Gold
- Sana Shaikh of NHE3
- Sylina Jacobs of the SBA
- Anthony Booth-Carvalho of Grow America
They discussed various aspects of starting and scaling food businesses, emphasizing key factors like having a clear vision, securing funding, and navigating regulatory environments.
Key Takeaways:
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Vision is Crucial: As Ian Fay, owner of Ovelle Coffee, noted, "Having the vision to not give up" is what sets successful entrepreneurs apart.
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Access to Capital: Understanding financing options and accessing capital are significant challenges for many food entrepreneurs. Panelsists offered insights into grants, loans, crowdfunding, and investor relationships.
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Regulatory Landscape: Navigating complex regulations related to food safety, licensing, and permitting can be daunting. The panelists shared strategies for overcoming these hurdles.
What's Next?
The CT Food Business Lab plans to offer more free workshops and resources for food entrepreneurs in the future, fostering a vibrant and sustainable local food ecosystem.