Today we’d like to introduce you to Raye Elliott.
Raye, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
After graduating from Buckingham County High in the 90’s I immediately began my career in the United States Army and was stationed at Dexheim, Germany and Fort Campbell, KY. In 2001, I completed my enlistment, moved to Atlanta, GA and embarked on my educational path while simultaneously landing a position with the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District Division. Throughout my career, I co-founded my first company, a technology business in 2005 and held several positions with both private and federal government entities ranging from a project manager, senior contracting official and assistant director of maintenance and engineering.
Right Array was officially birthed in 2018 from the idea of identifying a need for a full-service entrepreneurship development company. I’ve always had a love for education, empowerment and entrepreneurship, I have assisted several people with starting their own businesses and aiding with operational standards so when I had the opportunity to relocate back to my hometown, it was a no-brainer how I could add value to my community. I wasted LITTLE time making my presence felt and known.
I quickly began to become aware of the high incarceration rate in Buckingham, VA, how far behind the times the county and specific groups still are, the lack of entrepreneurship within the minority community, lack of community facilities such as daycares, recreational venues, access to information, little to no STEM/agricultural programs with minimal minority participation — if any — and the fact that the entire county is coded by the federal government as a HubZone. This is significant as it identifies Buckingham County as a historically underutilized business zone and economically disadvantaged area due to several factors such as a rural area or lack of or absence of broadband access, With that information alone, I knew I needed to give back.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?|
Whew yes, the struggle is real; I’m always on the struggle bus – LOL. But seriously, the startup wasn’t where I encountered my challenges as this wasn’t my very first business so the framework was easy. It was the marketing and honing the service offerings for my target audience that was the ever-evolving problem and, at times, still is. As well as pricing.
Upon moving back to Buckingham County was yet another hurdle I believed would present itself; however, I was pleasantly surprised about how well my business model was received. There are so many small business owners and future business owners seeking the knowledge to startup, scale or just plain make their business operation more efficient. Although I’m an outfit that services clients nationally and internationally, I did have concerns for my business upon my move. Needless to say, business is good.
Right Array – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Armed with more than 14 years of professional experience in my selected industry, Right Array LLC specializes in entrepreneurship development, entity formations (to include nonprofits, LLCs and Corporations) and compliance, minority certification preparation, government contracting preparation and coaching, grant writing as well as small business credit composition.
I know the importance of entrepreneurship first hand and inside and out and the minority government is contracting world like the back of my hand. We’ve also partnered with a 501c3 nonprofit that is our fiscal sponsor were we offer monetary, human resources as well as our building as an in-kind donation to train the underemployed, unemployed and formerly incarcerated individuals in our community and Richmond, VA within the renewable energy fields but currently more specifically in the trade of photovoltaic panel installation. We also pay for the graduating participant’s entry-level solar panel installation NABCEP certification.
My life’s journey has been one of many ups and downs, including active-duty military service, a great civilian service career, a highly publicized fall from grace, followed by federal incarceration to my journey from prison to prosperity! So you ask what sets me apart from others; well, it is my innovative, creative ideas to make your business succeed and to generate measurable impactful outcomes because I definitely know what it takes to pull yourself up by the bootstraps and suck it up and drive on.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
My personal definition of success is knowing that I’ve empowered someone, made a positive difference in their lives. Sometimes it’s just a kind word or a smile that can do that. What I measure that by from a business standpoint is knowing that I’ve created a company that, in equal measure, combines a mix of empowerment for my customers, employees and community.
Pricing:
- $980 Entity Formations w/ Business Credit Builder
- $3,500 Grant Proposal Writing
- $2,400 Minority Certification & Government Contracting Preparation & Coaching
- $780 Business Credit Builder Only (for established businesses)
- $2,400 IRS 1023 application (for IRS 501c3 submission & determination approval)
Contact Info:
- Address: 16890 Oak St
Dillwyn, VA 23936 - Website: www.rightarrayllc.com
- Phone: 470-869-1820
- Email: info@rightarrayllc.com
- Instagram: @rightarray
- Facebook: @rightarrayllc
Image Credit:
Celeste Jones, Celeste Jones Photography
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