Brevard Shoe Closet Receives Cocoa Upstart Grant, weVENTURE Mentorship Courses

supports youth sports programs to uplift, empower next generation of athletes

BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA, FLORIDA — Brevard Shoe Closet, a store in Cocoa specializing in offering a unique buy, sell, and trade experience and owned by William Frazier, completed Cocoa’s Upstart Cocoa program and received a $7,500 forgivable business loan.

The program, launched in 2021, was created as a business mentorship grant to attract new or expanding businesses to Cocoa.

“Thank you to the City of Cocoa and weVENTURE,” said William Frazier, Owner of Brevard Shoe Closet.

“They helped me establish a brick-and-mortar and e-commerce, and put all of my business in percentages so I can forecast the future to be in the City of Cocoa for many years moving forward.”

Upstart Cocoa is a program designed to promote the growth of minority and/or women-owned small businesses throughout the City of Cocoa.

The total awarded to the new Cocoa business was $10,000, of which $2,500 was allocated for the business to participate in management and mentorship courses through weVENTURE, which explore topics such as business management, finance and budgeting, marketing, product or service development, and human resources.

In addition, weVENTURE’s Ignite 360 business mentors partner with the Upstart Cocoa recipients to refine a business plan appropriate for a start-up business or expanding business.

Once the business has completed the program, it can receive the remaining portion of the forgivable loan.

Some factors considered for loan approval include the business’s potential economic and fiscal impact on the community, as well as its contributions to community development.

Brevard Shoe Closet is committed to offering affordable access to stylish, high-end sneakers through a unique buy, sell, and trade model.

Frazier’s mission is to bring sneaker culture to a small city, creating a space where sneaker enthusiasts can connect and shop for the latest drops.

The business is also committed to supporting local youth sports programs, helping to uplift and empower the next generation of athletes.

“William has been a blessing to our program. He has worked so hard. He is coachable, had the energy to go through a 6-month program, and he now has a very sound and sustainable business model to support the community,” said Kathy Register, IGNITE 360 Program Director.

The remaining loan funds will be used to build on Brevard Shoe Closet’s early success and scale operations.

“The City of Cocoa is proud to welcome another successful business graduate from the Upstart Cocoa Program. This initiative drives small business growth and innovation, strengthening Cocoa’s role as a dynamic leader in the Space Coast economy,” said Cocoa Mayor Mike Blake.

We remain dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where entrepreneurs can thrive and contribute to the vitality of our community,” said Blake.

To learn more about the Cocoa Upstart Business Development Program, visit www.Choosecocoa.org/upstart.

Similar Stories