--- title: "About us" description: "Learn how LaunchHOLLYSPRINGS supports entrepreneurs through business training, mentoring, and community to build sustainable local businesses." featured_image: "https://launchhollysprings.org/wp-content/uploads/LHS-Default-Featured-Image.png" url: "https://launchhollysprings.org/about/" date_modified: "2026-08-03T13:46:03-04:00" --- # About us LaunchHOLLYSPRINGS is a community-based program dedicated to equipping local small and emerging businesses with the fundamental skills and mentorship they need to contribute to the social and economic development of Holly Springs. ![Woman and man smiling, holding a framed certificate together.](https://launchhollysprings.org/wp-content/uploads/VMA_05_14_2025_0267_extract-e1781211058139.png) --- 150 Graduates from our 9-month program 80% Graduates still in business after 3 years (national average is 61%) 41 Businesses now operate from dedicated brick-and-mortar locations 5 Nonprofits launched to support local needs 3 Graduates with $1M in revenue and/or 20+ employees 40+ Home-based businesses moved from part-time to full-time --- ## Built for Holly Springs entrepreneurs [Video](https://youtu.be/vfeXzQrc6Lc?si=AD9MmpCYRHcW9y2i) LaunchHOLLYSPRINGS was chartered by the Rotary Club of Holly Springs, with the support of the Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Holly Springs Economic Development Department. Since 2018, we have supported small and emerging businesses with the tools, mentorship, and confidence they need to create businesses that contribute meaningfully to the Town of Holly Springs. As one of the longest-running LaunchMyCity programs in Wake County, LHS has become a trusted pathway from idea and implementation to impact. We exist to create confident business leaders who have the ability to make decisions essential to their ongoing business success. --- ## What we do Entrepreneurship can be isolating. Many founders start with limited confidence, no clear roadmap, and little access to trusted advice or networks. We bring together public, private, and community partners to create the conditions for long-term success—for individual businesses, and for the town as a whole. LHS provides the following to the Holly Springs community: - Access to entrepreneurship information for any interested party at no charge - A 9-month Accelerator for entrepreneurs who are ready to grow their business - Events that celebrate entrepreneurship in our town - A thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem of over 150 new Holly Springs businesses [View Upcoming Events](https://launchhollysprings.org/events/) ![Woman with curly hair and glasses speaking at a podium.](https://launchhollysprings.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-LHS-Summit-040.jpg) --- ## Leadership Team Behind LHS is a dedicated group of volunteers, mentors, and leaders committed to supporting local business owners. Fun fact: 50% of the leadership team are program alumni. Bob Shimmel ResJobHelp Board of Directors (Chairman), Program Manager View Bio Bob Shimmel ResJobHelp Board of Directors (Chairman), Program Manager Robert (Bob) Shimmel, MBA/BS, is the owner of ResJobHelp and brings more than 20 years of executive leadership experience helping organizations increase revenue, strengthen operations, and expand into new markets. Throughout his career, he has launched new ventures, led acquisitions, and built domestic and international partnerships. He most recently served as President and CEO of NCD Technologies, a nanotechnology company based in Madison, Wisconsin. A Certified Job Transition and Executive Coach, Bob has spent more than a decade working with executives, managers, and small business owners on leadership development, conflict resolution, team building, and career advancement. He also serves on several national advisory boards and provides one-on-one business development and leadership support to entrepreneurs. Bob is passionate about helping people navigate career transitions and achieve professional growth. He continues this work through ResJobHelp, a Wake County-based business focused on career development and coaching, and teaches an intensive 10-week Business Accelerator course through Wake Tech Community College. Irene Gouge Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions Board of Directors, Events Committee View Bio Irene Gouge Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions Board of Directors, Events Committee Irene's connection to LaunchHOLLYSPRINGS goes back to Cohort 1, when the program began. That experience gave her the skills needed to build a business, create a plan, and put systems in place to work in and on her business, while connecting her to the local entrepreneurial community that continues to shape her work today. In 2020, she took her sleep coaching business from part time to full time, a transition that showed her firsthand how much the skill of pivoting matters when everything around you is shifting. That lesson stuck, and it's part of why she later joined the LHS leadership team, where she now supports current cohort members and local entrepreneurs through the events team and helps reconnect LHS alumni. Through her signature program, the Calm & Confident SLEEP Foundation, a six-week, small-group coaching experience for families struggling with sleep, Irene works with parents who are ready to stop guessing and start understanding their child's sleep communication. Together, they pinpoint the root causes behind sleep disruptions, create a plan, and learn tools that build trust and respectful communication between parent and child. The result is rested, calm, confident parents and better sleep for the whole house. Outside of work, Irene can usually be found with family and friends, coffee in hand, listening to a favorite podcast or talking through new ideas over dessert. She loves the process of building, connecting, and serving in her local entrepreneurial and parenting communities. James Amato Catalyst Advisors & Consultants Board of Directors, Partnership Committee View Bio James Amato Catalyst Advisors & Consultants Board of Directors, Partnership Committee James Amato is a founder who builds for founders. As Founder and CEO of Catalyst Advisors & Consultants, he helps mission-driven leaders turn what's already possible inside their organizations into lasting prosperity. Across more than two decades in economic development, James has come to trust one thing above almost all else: when you bet on the people willing to start, you change the trajectory of an entire community. That work has taken many forms: founder of America the Entrepreneurial, member of the Advisory Circle for North Carolina's statewide Right to Start coalition, and years embedded in Wilson, NC’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. His grandmother, Angelina, was an entrepreneur who backed people long before the proof arrived, and James has spent his career doing the same. Through LauncHOLLYSPRINGS, he shows up for the dreamers, the risk-takers, and the builders who make this town go, working to ensure that anyone with the courage to begin has someone in their corner. Katie Gailes The Entrepreneur Whisperer Board of Directors, Grants and Strategic Alliances View Bio Katie Gailes The Entrepreneur Whisperer Board of Directors, Grants and Strategic Alliances Katie Gailes has been working in entrepreneurial ecosystems for over 20 years. In 2015, she created the Entrepreneurship Initiatives department at the 3rd largest community college in the US and went on to create several award-winning entrepreneur support and training programs for students and community members alike. While at Wake Tech, she was co-creator of the LaunchMyCity business model and worked with local teams to install programs in nine Wake County Towns, including Holly Springs. She is the current Manager of Grants and Strategic Alliances for LaunchHollySprings. In entrepreneurship circles, she is known as The Entrepreneur Whisperer and delivers workshops for multiple community college Small Business Centers and coaches individual entrepreneurs. Katie serves on the Board of the NC Women Business Owner’s Hall of Fame and is President of the Greater Raleigh Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO). Lisa Menees SOS by Lisa (Retired) Events Committee View Bio Lisa Menees SOS by Lisa (Retired) Events Committee Lisa Menees is a retired teacher and professional organizer who has spent her career empowering others to streamline their lives and achieve their personal and professional goals. As a graduate of Cohort 4 of the Launch Holly Springs program, she developed a strong foundation in entrepreneurship and community involvement. Lisa’s passion for helping others led her to establish SOS by Lisa, where she assisted clients with decluttering and organizing their spaces. After retiring from the business, she has stayed active in her community and currently serves on the Events Committee for the Launch Holly Springs Board, contributing her experience and enthusiasm to a variety of local events. When she’s not volunteering or working on community projects, Lisa enjoys reading, testing her knowledge with trivia, and traveling with her husband. She finds joy in exploring new places and learning about different cultures, always seeking opportunities to expand her horizons and connect with others. Mark Campbell Endurance Fence Solutions Mentoring Committee View Bio Mark Campbell Endurance Fence Solutions Mentoring Committee Mark Campbell has served in LaunchHollySprings since cohort 6. He has owned multiple companies and started Endurance Fence Solutions in 2019. Mark and his family moved to Holly Springs in 2005. In his spare time, he enjoys playing bass guitar, traveling and being involved in the community. For his community service, Mark was recognized as the 2016 Holly Springs Citizen of the Year, the 2024 Parrish "Ham" Womble Distinguished Service Award and the 2022 Business Leader of the Year both by the Holly Springs Chamber of Commerce. Mary Vallieu Ms. Value Money Coach Board of Directors, Treasurer View Bio Mary Vallieu Ms. Value Money Coach Board of Directors, Treasurer Mary Vallieu is a financial coach and founder of Ms. Value Money Coach, where she helps individuals and families gain clarity, confidence, and control over their finances through personalized, judgment-free guidance. Mary has spent her career as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), doing accounting, budgeting, tax, and audits for businesses, individuals, and non-profit entities. Drawing on her background in finance and her passion for education, Mary specializes in translating complex financial concepts into practical strategies that support both immediate stability and long-term wealth building. She is committed to empowering clients to make informed decisions, align their finances with their goals, and create lasting financial security. Nicole Meggerson de Martinez Silver Lake Construction Co. Events Committee View Bio Nicole Meggerson de Martinez Silver Lake Construction Co. Events Committee Nicole Meggerson de Martinez is Project Manager at Silver Lake Construction Co., LLC, bringing extensive expertise in construction management, contract administration, and project planning. She began her career in construction accounting within the Los Angeles residential development sector, which led to a 20-year tenure in infrastructure development for California’s largest public water provider. During that time, she contributed to major projects including the $1.9 billion Diamond Valley Lake Project and the $1.2 billion Inland Feeder Project, while also co-founding the California Construction Expo. Since relocating to North Carolina in 2015, Nicole has continued to apply her passion for people, strong project vision, and attention to detail. She remains active in her community through volunteer work with the Holly Springs Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce and enjoys spending time with her family, attending local theatre, reading, and staying active. Sara Jensen Brighter Messaging Communications View Bio Sara Jensen Brighter Messaging Communications Sara Jensen is principal and owner of Brighter Messaging, which specializes in helping small businesses understand their marketing, create common-sense solutions, and communicate with the creative professionals who make marketing dreams a reality. Sara is a writer first who built her career in strategic sales and marketing. She has ghostwritten everything from emails, blogs, and feature articles to business books. Sara started Brighter Messaging out of a desire to help people who were saying things like, “I know I need to show up online, but I have no idea how to do it.” She holds an M.A. from Duke University and a B.A. from Denison University. Away from work, Sara is a wife and mom. When she’s not driving her kids around, you can find her working out, singing at church, or buried in a book. She’s particularly passionate about collaborating with other women who are harmonizing motherhood with a creative career. Sarah Schaitel Sarah Nicole Virtual Services Administrative Assistant View Bio Sarah Schaitel Sarah Nicole Virtual Services Administrative Assistant Sarah Schaitel is the founder of Sarah Nicole Virtual Services, where she helps small business owners turn operational chaos into clear systems that support sustainable growth. With more than a decade of experience in administrative and operational roles, Sarah specializes in building processes, organizing backend operations, and helping entrepreneurs reclaim their time so they can focus on the work they love. A passionate advocate for the small business community, Sarah is deeply involved in supporting local entrepreneurs through mentoring, networking, and leadership initiatives. She believes that behind every successful business is a strong support system—and she takes pride in being part of that foundation for the clients and founders she works with. Outside of her work, Sarah is a mom who often brings her family along for the ride, whether that means attending community events, cheering on fellow business owners, or building a business that reflects her core belief that family and business can grow side by side. --- ![LHS team at Cohort 6 graduation](https://launchhollysprings.org/wp-content/uploads/LHS-team-at-Cohort-6-graduation.jpg) ![LHS Team - funny](https://launchhollysprings.org/wp-content/uploads/LHS-Team-funny.jpg) --- You don't have to build your business alone Join a community that believes in Holly Springs entrepreneurs and is building the next generation of local businesses, together. Subscribe to the Gazette