Dressing the kids for school has turned into a business. Eduwear, founded by Nikki Mace and Michele Porter, incorporates educational concepts into a child’s clothing. The clothing is designed to engage a child and parent through interactive patches to focus on the child’s intellectual, social, and emotional development. Nikki Mace recently sat down with JumpStart to discuss their experience so far with JumpStart’s Core City: Cleveland Program and hurdles faced in launching a business.

JumpStart’s Core City: Cleveland Program is an important program in driving inclusiveness into Cleveland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The program was established to assist entrepreneurs and small business owners in underserved areas of Cleveland through a series of four workshops on business planning, marketing, and elevator pitches, culminating in the April 27 Pitch Your Business Competition where entrepreneurs will receive a $1,000 cash prize.

Nikki (photo) and Michele have loved the experience to date, especially the opportunity to connect with other entrepreneurs. Nikki says “This is not your typical training course. It’s fun, exciting and there is never a dull moment.” They came to learn of the Core City Program from Cecil Lipscom, Executive Director of the United Black Fund.The program has provided Nikki and Michele with tools and resources to overcome some of their major hurdles in starting Eduwear.

Read the full story at City of Cleveland Economic Development.