A hip-hop artist, a former professional golfer and
a middle schooler walk into a business incubator…
It's no joke—it's the Ignite Buffalo Small Business
Summer School. And it brought together Western
New York business owners to build their companies
and plan for the future.
On eight mornings over the summer, more than
60 entrepreneurs gathered at the Innovation Center in
the heart of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.
There, they learned to create business plans, execute
on opportunities and master their pitch—all while
networking with like-minded business owners.
Among them were Chamus Hawk, hip-hop artist
turned founder and CEO of Team Radio; Cindy Miller,
former LPGA tour professional golfer turned founder
and CEO of Cindy Miller Inc.; and Shelden Gibbs,
eighth grader and founder and CEO of Classic Knot.
Classically knotted
Shelden Gibbs loves bow ties. He loves them so
much that when he went shopping, he got frustrated at
the limited selection and started cutting up shirts to
make his own.
When he wore these self-made ties out of the
house, he would get so many compliments that he
knew he was on to something.
So, three years ago—at just 10 years old—Gibbs
founded Classic Knot, his company that sells hand-
craed bow ties, neck ties and other accessories for
men, women and kids.
"A bow tie is like a piece of art," he says. "It
adds character."
Now 13, Gibbs is a student at Sweet Home Middle
School by day. At night, he's fulfilling orders, working
on his website and building his brand on social media.
Western New York entrepreneurs get a boost at summer school
16 Buffalo Business Spring 2020
SCHOOL'S IN
FOR SUMMER
BY KEVIN MANNE
