Today we’d like to introduce you to Aisha Childers.
Hi Aisha, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey began in the field of child psychiatry after I graduated from the University of Akron and began working closely with children grappling with severe emotional challenges, including homicidal thoughts and suicidal ideation. Witnessing the recurring struggles of these young individuals, I was driven to create a more proactive solution in the form of an enrichment center, Let’s Make A Change Enrichment Center. Within a few years, we turned the center into a five-star Step Up To Quality facility that fosters a safe and nurturing environment for children.
I recognized the need for continuous support as these children grew, so I opened a restaurant, Bite Creole Kitchen, in 2018. This isn’t just any restaurant—it was conceived as a vibrant hub for a teen development program, offering high school students and young adults valuable opportunities to engage in job-readiness training, mentoring, and entrepreneurship. Through the efforts of Let’s Make A Change and Bite, I identified the broader needs of the community, particularly the necessity for dedicated spaces where budding and established businesses alike could thrive.
This led to the creation of Create A Space (CAS), a comprehensive ecosystem to support small- and medium-sized enterprises, entrepreneurs, creatives, and dreamers. CAS is not just a physical space; it’s a community and a resource. Along with offering an event space, a podcast studio, recording and photography studios, a ghost kitchen, and an on-site restaurant, CAS provides critical amenities that foster growth and sustainability. These include life coaching, business and personal development workshops, conversation panels, virtual assistant services, networking mixers, and community events. My mission with Create A Space is to create ecosystems where individuals and businesses can grow sustainably and significantly impact their communities.
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Entrepreneurship is always challenging, but it is undoubtedly worth it. Resilience has been vital, as has learning to face challenges head-on and adapt to changes. This journey isn’t just about enduring tough times; it’s about learning from each experience to improve and move forward. Central to my approach has been maintaining a solid spiritual foundation, ensuring that God is the center of everything I do, and aligning my goals with my faith to infuse my work with purpose and meaning, which is crucial in navigating the unpredictable waters of entrepreneurship. Cultivating meaningful relationships and partnerships has also been vital. My enterprise’s success owes much to these collaborations, providing emotional support during setbacks and strategic alliances to propel our initiatives forward. Despite economic hurdles, staffing challenges, and the need to continually adapt to the evolving needs of our community, each struggle has been an opportunity to grow stronger, enriching the journey with every step.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
After studying Early Childhood Education at the University of Akron, I immediately sought ways to apply the knowledge I had gained to real-world challenges. This led to the founding of my enrichment center, where I implemented what I learned to create a nurturing environment for children. Beyond childcare, the center also became a resource for families, helping them connect with various community supports.
This ultimately led to the opening of Bite Creole Kitchen and then to Create A Space, with each venture designed to meet the people in my community at different stages and provide the essential resources and support they desperately needed to change their lives. Recently, I dedicated myself to further supporting the community through the Minority Resource Networking Expo, which I co-founded. This initiative was designed to bridge gaps for minority business owners, connecting them with essential resources and fostering a mutual support network to help their businesses grow and thrive. My role in organizing this expo underscored my commitment to being a connector, not just within the realm of business development but also in creating broader community ties that empower individual and collective advancement.
Throughout my career, I have consistently focused on creating opportunities and systems that support sustainable business practices and enhance community well-being. Whether through direct business ventures, educational programs, or networking events, the goal has always been to foster an environment where individuals and businesses can prosper. This holistic approach to entrepreneurship and community development reflects my belief in the power of education, collaboration, and resource sharing as fundamental to creating lasting impact.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I want to share more about our impactful partnerships, especially with local school districts, such as Cleveland Metropolitan School District, which have been instrumental in developing programming for adolescents and teens. These programs are designed to engage students and provide real-world skills and mentoring, preparing them for future success. Some of our efforts include our Youth Culinary Program and community service opportunities such as Feed the Streets and our Annual Toy Drive, where the students volunteer to serve the community household supplies, toys, and hot meals.
At Create A Space, we are deeply committed to positively impacting our community. It is a vibrant gathering place where local creatives can showcase their talents, and entrepreneurs and dreamers can find the resources they need to succeed. Beyond business and artistic endeavors, we’re also focused on the well-being of our community members. We emphasize mental health and healing, integrating services and support that address these vital aspects. Our partnerships with churches, community organizations, and mental health agencies enhance our ability to support and uplift our community comprehensively, ensuring that while we foster economic growth, we also nurture our community members’ overall health and success.
Pricing:
- Podcast Membership Rentals: 5 Sessions – $325
- Event Space Rental: $150 – $300 per hour
- Seeking Collaborative Partnerships with a Music Label: Pricing to be discussed
Contact Info:
- Website: createaspacecle.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_createaspace
