By Sarah Mayle
Ten small business owners in Findlay were awarded a $5,000 grant and mentorship opportunities on Tuesday from DoorDash’s Small Business Accelerator program.
“This is a wonderful resource from DoorDash for these small business owners,” said Chris Keller, executive director of FHCED. “Not only will they gain strategic vision to help manage the challenges that come with operating a small business, but they will be able to connect with each other and form a valuable network.”
A DoorDash awards event and opportunity to network was held at The Alliance Tuesday, where DoorDash representative Esther Lapido Hill met with and congratulated recipients. Lapido Hill said the company “hand-selected” Findlay and Kansas City, MO for its 2025 cohort of the Accelerator program. Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn, Dionne Neubauer, executive director of the Findlay Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, Christine Keller, executive director of Findlay Hancock County Economic Development and Jeremy Kalb of Findlay City Engineer’s Office also attended to celebrate. DoorDash presented a $50,000 check for the program.
Each business will receive a $5,000 business grant, one-on-one business mentorship, $1,000 in DoorDash advertising credits, DoorDash-led workshops on platform success strategies, and the opportunity to attend three local workshops on navigating local business resources. The workshops will be hosted by the City of Findlay, Findlay Hancock County Economic Development and the Findlay Hancock County Chamber of Commerce.
Grant recipients are: The Baker’s Cafe, Bella Floral Design, Dante’s Rolling Food Joint, Doughtroit, Fern Cafe, Hurdwell, Jonny Burritos, Leggo my Eggroll, Stix Restaurant, and Tokyo Steakhouse.
Father and son Jason and Nolan Laube, owners of Doughtroit pizza shop, were thankful to receive the grant on the one-year anniversary of opening their restaurant. The duo also operates Laube’s Transmission Service Center, which is in its 21st year. They opened Doughtroit thinking they might catch people in a different mood.
“I always wanted a place where people would smile when they come in,” Jason Laube said to the other recipients, laughing. “No one smiles when they have a busted transmission.”
Through the accelerator program, the Laubes look forward to streamlining their food service operations and connecting with other small business owners.
