BUILT HERE. MORTAR Cincinnati.

Before Black Culture Candles was a business, it was a Business Model Canvas, sketched out in a MORTAR classroom. That canvas became a foundation. The foundation became a brand. And the cohort friendships from that first class are still standing today.

That's what BUILT HERE means. Not built alone, built here, with a curriculum, a community, and people who show up for the long haul.

It's a story we hear again and again from our ALUMNI:

"The continuous support that I have recieved from my MORTAR family over the years has been nothing short of amazing. From education and mentorship to opportunities like a grant from The Iron Chest, MORTAR has consistently poured into entrepreneurs like me, and I am forever grateful." – Paityn's Place

"I appreciate MORTAR's continued investment in entrepreneurs and the opportunities you create for small businesses to thrive." – Mrs. Murray's Naturals

These aren't isolated wins. Over 1000 businesses have come through MORTAR nationwide. From our most recent survey, 74% of our graduates reported that they are still standing and growing – nearly double the survival rate most new businesses face. Over 80% of the entrepreneurs we serve are Black and/or Women. These are the business owners who get told "no" the most and given the least. We built MORTAR to change that!

This Give 8/28, every dollar you give goes toward keeping that door open – funding a seat in Academy, a grant from the Iron Chest Fund, or the opportunity for an Alum to recieve financial coaching to make sure that not only are their personal finances in order, but also their business finances. 

BUILT HERE isn't just out tagline. It's a promise: that Cincinnati's next great business gets to start with support, not just grit.

Give today. Help us continue to show that entrepreneurs can be BUILT HERE.