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HOPE Success Stories

Operation HOPE Helps a Michigan Entrepreneur Solve the Puzzle of Scaling Up
May 23, 2025

Written by: Lisa Karel Lisa Schilthius is the classic innovator-type of person our small business coaches at Operation HOPE get to work with every day. With years of experience in …

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One Million Black Businesses Stories - View All

Championing the Caregiver is This Entrepreneurs Calling

We recently shared a story during our year-end giving campaign that did not fully reflect the reality of Dawnita Brown’s experience. We deeply regret this oversight and want to correct …

Filling the Gaps with Knowledge

1 Million Black Businesses is about more than just creating 1 million Black businesses by 2030. It’s also about helping existing Black entrepreneurs enhance their skills, grow their network, and …

Credit & Money Management Stories - View All

More Than Just a Credit Score: Nicole’s Financial Wellness Story

written by: Lisa Karel Operation HOPE is often the first place people experiencing a financial emergency will turn to for help. As a result, it’s not uncommon for Operation HOPE …

From Struggle to Stability: Tammara’s Journey with Operation HOPE

When Tammara joined Operation HOPE in 2022, she had been stuck in a cycle of debt for over a decade—living paycheck to paycheck, relying on credit cards, and struggling to …

Small Business Development Stories - View All

A Haircut that Led to HOPE

Claire Broderick has been self-employed for over two decades, so the struggles and rewards of entrepreneurship are nothing new to her. But no amount of experience could have prepared her …

Sweet Legacy: The Mom + Daughter Duo Behind Kayla’s Italian Ice

written by: Y. Theresa Bostic Every mother carries a vision, a hope that her children will grow to be strong, dynamic individuals who will leave an indelible mark upon the …

Homeownership Stories - View All

Driven by Ambitious Goals and Sacrifice, Homeowner Settles and Succeeds in San Diego

Written by: Lisa Karel How do you purchase a home in one of the country’s most expensive real estate markets?  That was the conundrum for Juliette, who moved to San Diego, …

Henry’s Homeownership Dreams Become a Reality

Henry Pinto, an immigrant from Venezuela, came to the United States with a dream of building a better life for his family. After settling in Lafayette, Louisiana, he encountered significant …