OUR PROGRAMS
“We kept getting pulled towards Jackson and Brian. People were like you need to talk to Jackson. You need to talk to Brian. So, I scheduled a 1 on 1 meeting with them. And the biggest takeaway from that first meeting was they were like, ‘we’re part of your team now.’ I told them, ‘You don’t even know us.’ And they said, ‘We love what you guys are doing and we’re here to support you guys. We are a part of your team.’ And as a small business and especially it being just me and my husband that meant everything.”
DRK GROWTH PROGRAM
We are expanding our services to address the challenges faced by entrepreneurs, particularly those from underrepresented communities, by offering a tailored mix of workshops, 1:1 consultations/coaching, and community building.
DRK $1K GRANT
The DRK $1K Grant Program was established in recognition of the significant challenges faced by the food and beverage industry during times of economic hardship, including pandemics and inflation. Acknowledging that these economic pressures disproportionately impact minority-owned businesses and those in historically underserved communities, our grant selection process considers factors such as geographic location, ownership backgrounds, story and team diversity, and a demonstration of need based on rejection from other relief programs.
To date, we have proudly distributed over $75,000 in grants to support 77 food and beverage businesses in the Chicagoland area, with a special focus on the South and West sides. We are pleased to announce that the application for the DRK $1K Grant Program will be opening soon, providing an opportunity for eligible businesses to access vital financial support. Stay tuned for updates on the application process and how your business can benefit from this initiative.
DRK MARKET PROGRAM
This program supports investor-ready companies that produce consumer packaged goods ready to scale. We convert a company's top-selling product into a consumer packaged good ready for retail shelves. This enables great food innovators to diversify revenue streams within their businesses, using items that they’re already making everyday.