From Purpose to Proof
When Celisa Webster first joined the Nashville Business Incubation Center’s (NBIC) Groundwork program in 2020, she didn’t just want to build a cleaning company; she wanted to build a community of excellence. She already had purpose: a passion for excellence, integrity, and community. But what she needed was proof: systems, structure, and measurable growth. Her vision for Luminary Cleaning Services was never just about cleaning spaces; it was about creating opportunities for Nashville residents and modeling what good business looks like when integrity leads the way.
“NBIC helped me turn passion into structure,” Celisa said. “I learned how to create systems, track growth, and lead with purpose.”
At the time, Luminary was operating primarily through subcontractors and word-of-mouth marketing. Through NBIC’s Groundwork, Framework, and RISE UP programs, Celisa transformed that purpose into tangible results: stronger systems, measurable financial growth, and meaningful community impact.
Building Structure for Sustainable Growth
When Celisa entered Groundwork in 2020, Luminary was operating with limited visibility from organic marketing and referrals while relying heavily on contracted professionals. With NBIC’s guidance, she learned how to build awareness and operational discipline. She gained knowledge on updating her website, creating a brand presence online, and implementing a marketing system that attracted consistent clients.
The next step was scale. Through Framework in 2021, Celisa developed measurable KPIs, adopted formal financial systems, and restructured pricing models. At the time, Luminary’s revenue was under $100,000. Within a year, it surpassed that mark ahead of schedule, and has since achieved more than 100% growth between 2020 and 2024.
By formalizing her workforce, Celisa strengthened accountability and quality control transitioning to five W-2 employees and four structured subcontracting partnerships that elevated operational consistency and brought greater accountability and reliable quality to every job. “Moving to a structured workforce gave us stability,” Celisa said. “It allowed us to maintain excellence on every project and scale responsibly.”
Scaling with Systems and Strategy
In 2023, Celisa joined NBIC’s RISE UP Academy and began six months of one-on-one business coaching. She moved from working in the business to steering its future by leading with vision instead of just managing operations.
During this phase, Luminary expanded services to include:
To support that expansion, Luminary implemented quarterly cost reviews that reduced unnecessary expenses by nearly 15%, and auditing systems that lowered rework by 25%.
New forecasting dashboards now help track financial performance and inform data-driven decisions.
These systems positioned Luminary for its next measurable milestone, scaling to seven figures in annual revenue and expanding through franchise development.
Community Impact That Shines Beyond Profit
Celisa’s story also reflects NBIC’s belief that business growth should multiply community impact. Since 2020, Luminary has contributed to Nashville’s local economy by:
“NBIC taught me that growth isn’t just about revenue,” Celisa shared. “It’s about how we pour back into the community.”
That mindset has earned her both recognition and trust, including the Nashville Emerging Leaders Award (NELA) and being named Music City’s Best Cleaning Company (2023).
The Road Ahead: Scaling with Purpose
Looking forward, Celisa’s goals remain as intentional as her growth:
“NBIC reshaped how I think as a business owner,” she said. “Now, every goal we set is backed by systems, strategy, and accountability.”
From Barriers to Bridges
Celisa Webster’s journey is proof that when structure meets heart, growth becomes inevitable. Through NBIC, she turned early barriers like informal staffing, inconsistent systems, and limited visibility into bridges of opportunity that now sustain jobs, families, and local pride.
Her story captures NBIC’s mission in motion: transforming entrepreneurs from visionaries into measurable changemakers.
Ready to start your own growth journey? Take NBIC’s Biz Quiz.
Sierra Henley Ashburn joined NBIC in December 2024 as a Special Projects Manager consultant. She now serves full-time as an Outreach Coordinator, focused on building community partnerships and supporting event and program execution. In this role, she works across NBIC’s Construction Consortium and the Metro Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) Emerging Contractors and Mentor Protégé programs. She also serves as the staff liaison for the NBIC Young Leaders Board.
Beyond NBIC, Sierra is the founder and lead operations strategist of Amplified Innovation, a fractional operations firm serving nonprofits and mission-driven service businesses. She partners with leaders and teams to translate impactful visions into clear, actionable systems, helping organizations thrive in their zone of genius by aligning internal infrastructure with core values.
Sierra is an active member of Nashville’s nonprofit community, a Young Leaders Council graduate, and currently serves on the board of From Your Father as Systems and Operations Lead.
She is a strong believer in NBIC’s approach of meeting entrepreneurs where they are; equipping them with the tools and support to grow, create community impact, and build a lasting legacy.
Patrick Walker-Reese, MPA is an established and celebrated speaker and educator. Patrick Walker-Reese, or Mr. Reese, as his students commonly refer to him as has dedicated his work to serve his own community. He has motivated and encouraged youth and adults alike to dare to dream and to strive for greatness every day.
Patrick Walker-Reese is the epitome of resilience. Directly translating in his teachings, his ability to make powerful connections and impacts on each individual who attends a workshop or speech he gives. He made it and is living the life of his dreams. This message is especially powerful to youth who are lacking ambition and guidance. Patrick attended Tennessee State University. Although school never came easy for Patrick, whose knack was always for speaking but not the traditional educational curriculum, he graduated from Tennessee State University with a History degree in 2010. His educational pursuits did not end there. He received his Masters from Tennessee State University in Public Administration in 2014.
In 2012 he formed ASPIRE LLC, an Educational Consulting Firm. Aspire specializes in highly interactive motivational presentations, workshops, curriculum, and literature. ASPIRE has worked with varied reputable organizations and companies such as The National Urban League, Caterpillar Financial, Metro Nashville Public Schools, YMCA, NYC Department of Youth and Community Development, Clemson University, University of DC. The list of who ASPIRE has worked with has continued to grow. Now including, 100 Black Men “100 Kings” program, Oasis Center, The Educate ME HBCU College Tour, Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated, Boys And Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee, and a host of professional athletes.
Patrick has authored two books on self-help and socio-emotional development. Patfacts Volume 1: From One Dreamer to Another and Patfacts Volume 2: More Than a Dream. The latter of which was self-published through his newest business venture Aspire Publishing. Designed to turn dreamers into published authors.
Victor Tyler serves as a Digital Asset Specialist at NBIC, where he manages, organizes, and creates digital media resources that support the organization’s storytelling. In this role, he ensures that NBIC’s growing online presence remains cohesive, engaging, and aligned with its brand identity.
Before joining NBIC, Victor built a career in art direction and content production, leading campaigns that combined strategic storytelling with result-driven creative. His experience spans brand development, media production, and digital marketing.
Victor is passionate about using creativity to bridge artistry with strategy to help ideas come to life. Outside of work, he enjoys drawing, running, and exploring new places to eat, often finding inspiration for his work in the world around him.
Dr. Contrecia “Dr. T” Tharpe joined NBIC in November 2025 as Marketing and Communications Manager, bringing more than 15 years of experience in brand strategy, marketing, and communications leadership. A visionary strategist known for her creativity and results-driven approach, she leads NBIC’s brand, storytelling, and communications efforts with a focus on amplifying the voices of entrepreneurs and positioning NBIC as a leader in inclusive business growth.
Before joining NBIC, Dr. T built an impressive career spanning entrepreneurship, consulting, and organizational leadership. As Founder and Chief Brand Strategy Architect of FayeVaughn Creative, a full-service agency serving startups through Fortune 500 companies, she has helped organizations across industries craft powerful narratives, elevate visibility, and drive measurable results.
Her expertise bridges creativity and strategy, combining data-driven marketing with authentic storytelling to strengthen brand trust and engagement.
Beyond her role at NBIC, Dr. T serves as President of Nashville Cable, the region’s premier network for women in leadership. A sought-after advisor and speaker, she is passionate about helping others build brands that mean business, strengthen communities, and reflect the power of purpose.
Dynamic, forward-thinking, and unapologetically authentic, Dr. T embodies NBIC’s mission to inspire innovation and empower entrepreneurs to grow, scale, and thrive.
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Octavia Wilson-Simmons brings more than 20 years of diverse industry experience to her role at NBIC, where she drives operational excellence, grant compliance, and technological innovation. She began her career in the oil and gas sector in 2000 as a Contract Analyst, where she developed expertise in contract negotiation, trading operations, and stakeholder management.
Over the course of her career, Octavia expanded her skills across account management, operational optimization, and project coordination, gaining cross-industry experience that includes consulting and healthcare. Her transition into consulting in 2021 further honed her ability to streamline logistics and operations for business growth, while her work in healthcare deepened her customer-first approach and adaptability.
Since joining NBIC in 2022, Octavia has been a driving force behind key operational improvements, data-driven decision-making, and program support initiatives that empower small businesses to scale. She leverages platforms such as Zendesk, Looker, and Salesforce to optimize workflows, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and enhance service delivery for entrepreneurs.
Passionate about creating efficient systems and sustainable impact, Octavia’s expertise in operations management, compliance, technology integration, and strategic support ensures NBIC’s entrepreneurs have the foundation needed for long-term success.
