Dyersburg, TN- April 3, 2025 – Northwest Tennessee – “Seven small business owners in Northwest TN to participate in business accelerator”.
Entrepreneurs in Northwest Tennessee took a significant step forward in their business journeys as The Mill Workspace and DaSilva Consulting launched the Roadmap to Success business accelerator program on Thursday, April 3.
Designed to equip small business owners with expert insights, tools, and strategies, the program aims to foster growth and resilience within the local entrepreneurial community.
The initiative, which will run for 12 months, was hosted by Al Da Silva, CEO of DaSilva Consulting and creator of the RTS software platform. The event commenced with an introduction from Chris Donaldson, CEO of The Mill Workspace, a nonprofit dedicated to starting and growing small businesses in Northwest Tennessee.
Empowering small businesses
Seven entrepreneurs from diverse industries—including farm-fresh foods, coffee, auto repair, merchandising apparel, bags and luggage, self-defense, and support defense forces—participated in the launch event. Over the next six months, they will engage in a structured curriculum designed to enhance their leadership, execution, people management, process management, customer marketing, and profitability. This will be followed by six months of ongoing mentorship from the teams at The Mill and DaSilva.
“Get ready to take your business to the next level. What is your dream?” DaSilva encouraged attendees, setting an aspirational tone for the program.
A structured path to success
Participants will undergo a rigorous syllabus aimed at refining their sales, marketing, and cost-saving strategies. A key component of the program is an in-depth business x-ray, which will allow business owners to identify weaknesses and develop targeted solutions for success.
The program also includes two in-person collaborative workshops focused on:
- Vision to bottom line
- High-performance framework
Chris Donaldson, who will lead the program, emphasized the importance of providing entrepreneurs with the resources and support necessary for sustainable growth.
"We had a great group of businesses join us to kick off the program. Everyone was engaged and eager to start this journey and we look forward to walking alongside them over the next few months," said Donaldson, following the event.
As the year progresses, participants will gain valuable knowledge and skills to drive their business forward, ensuring they not only survive but thrive in their respective industries.
To learn more about Roadmap to Success or any other programs or workshops offered by The Mill, please contact The Mill Community Manager Rachel Townsend at
