The River Shop serves for some as a soft entry into retail and direct to consumer markets. Housed inside of the former Cox Building in The River Market district, The Rock It! Lab, cohort participants benefit by understanding the true retailer experience. Using nationally recognized curriculum and ultra-valuable, first-hand experiences from Rock It!
For Adrianna Jones, the spark happened in a most unexpected way. Approaching 30 and experiencing feelings of incompleteness and wonder, she knew there was more – an addition to the already good work she’d done as a master’s level, professional social worker. She’d dealt with people and behaviors, yet she hadn’t quite put in the time to dial into her own thoughts about why she felt slightly unfulfilled.
Serreta Boson is not a fan of pickles. However, she is a fan of recognizing opportunity when it knocks and for creating generational wealth for her family- generations past and present.
She was born of a man, an Army veteran, nicknamed “Sarge” who worked hard and provided, the model that shaped Boson’s work ethic and resolve.
Last year was a big year for the Cox Building. In January, the bookstore moved out and a brand-new business incubator program moved in – The Rock It! Lab. The RIL is a partnership between CALS and Advancing Black Entrepreneurship (ABE) focused on helping business owners (or aspiring business owners) in under-resourced communities. The program is multi-pronged,
Can I join the incubator program at any time?
The Rock It! Lab is located at 120 River Market Avenue, Little Rock, in the historic Cox Building. The three floors are divided into spaces that can be used by all members of the different RIL programs. Individuals who are not members of the incubator program but need “office space” to operate their developing businesses can utilize The Village coworking space by becoming coworking members.
On Thursday, July 22, 2021, onlookers cheered as Benito Lubazibwa, Director of ABE (Advancing Black Entrepreneurship) cut the ribbon held by CALS Executive Director Nate Coulter, Mayor Frank Scott Jr., and Andre Webster. Guests were invited to tour the Cox Building, previously housing the bookstore, as the new home of the Rock It! Lab –
On October 17, the Rock It! Lab officially inaugurated the first class of entrepreneurs. The class includes individuals with businesses that run the gamut from simply an idea to those who already have a full-fledged business and want to take their ideas to the next level.
If you’re not familiar with the Rock It!
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