Yo! Crash, WE Launch Winner, to Open in Eastwood

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – A recent graduate of the WE Launch Accelerator program at the Youngstown Business Incubator will open a space at the Eastwood Mall Sept. 1

In the most recent cohort of WE Launch, Yo! Crash owner Mara Cunningham won $5,000 in the program’s pitch contest. The business is to provide a safe space for adults to have fun through the use of sledgehammers, bats and the like to destroy everyday devices and breakables. It will be the first woman- and minority-owned “rage room” and only the third in the state. 

“Every idea you have, write it down, keep yourself organized and go put yourself through YBI’s WE Create class,” she said for women aspiring to be an entrepreneur. “This was my starting point and Yo! Crash wouldn’t be this far along had it not been for WE Create.” 

The WE program was a huge value to Cunningham not just because of the educational components attached to it or the connections she made, but because of the one-on-one counseling she received. The best part of the program for the Yo! Crash owner was the help with the business plan over the eight weeks. 

“Mara did exceptional research, knows her target market and has a very good understanding of who her customers will be,” said Carmella Williams, the director of diversity and inclusion at the YBI. “Her likelihood of success is very high due to her exceptional business plan, and her pitch was further proof of that.” 

Pictured: Yo! Crash owner Mara Cunningham, center, won $5,000 in a pitch contest as part of the YBI’s WE Launch program. She’ll open a space at Eastwood Mall Sept. 1.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.