Press Release:
The Sphere Kicks Off Their Mindshift Business Accelerator Program in Westfield
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Dr. Megan Allen, Co-Founder and President
The Sphere Northampton
info@spherenorthampton.com
www.spherenorthampton.com
The Sphere Northampton Kicks Off Their Business Accelerator Program in Westfield
The Sphere’s Westfield Mindshift Accelerator officially kicked off on February 24, 2026, bringing together a dynamic cohort of 8 local entrepreneurs for eight weeks of high-impact training, coaching, and business development support.
The Sphere Westfield Mindshift Business Accelerator combines structured business education, individualized coaching, and access to essential professional services such as financial advising, branding, and legal support. In addition, outreach events and community-based workshops are helping strengthen Westfield’s broader entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Why Westfield?
Westfield holds great promise. Many aspiring entrepreneurs in the region face barriers such as limited access to mentorship, funding, and technical expertise. The Sphere’s program is specifically designed to break down those barriers.
Participant in this accelerator receives:
- 8 weeks of business planning, marketing, and financial training
- One-on-one coaching and customized goal-setting
- A three-month subscription to LivePlan business software
- Financial stipends up to $1,900 per participant for local professional services
- Three months of post-program support and mentorship
In addition to individual support, The Sphere will also be hosting skill-building workshops, and networking events for cohort members, providing financial literacy education, peer support, and real-time guidance from local experts.
Meet the 2026 Mindshift Cohort
The current cohort represents a diverse cross-section of Westfield’s entrepreneurial talent:
Sarah Godfrey, founder of Sarah’s Gluten Free Goods, transitioned from an 11-year career as a wedding photographer to create allergen-friendly baked goods inspired by her own lived experience with food allergies. Her mission is simple: treats that taste amazing and are safe for everyone.
Sofia Bitzas, founder of Station 22 Consulting, provides operational consulting and fractional COO services to local businesses that need high-level strategic support without hiring a full-time executive. She specializes in systems development and streamlining operations to help businesses scale confidently.
Kelly Miller, owner of Beauty & The Brow, is a professional cosmetic tattooist dedicated to enhancing natural beauty through precision, artistry, and personalized care. Her work focuses on building confidence and delivering results that inspire self-assurance.
Tiffany Hayden, co-owner of Lucky Duck Plumbing, was born and raised in Southampton near the Westfield line. A mom of two and wife to a master plumber, Tiffany is helping grow a locally rooted service business while balancing family life and community connection.
Derek Folz, founder of Samhain Oddities, channels his love of Halloween, horror, and year-round alternative culture into a retail experience designed for those who embrace the weird beyond October. With a DIY spirit and bold creativity, he serves a niche community looking for lifestyle and aesthetic expression.
Amanda Zuniga, a self-taught henna artist of nine years and founder of Honey It’s Henna, has built her small business through local fairs, parties, and community events. She continues expanding her artistry while formalizing and scaling her operations.
Anzhelika Szramowski is the owner and founder of GFM VIP Inc. is a concierge style gift shop specializing in curated gift boxes, moment gifts, custom florals, and professional gift wrapping for both consumers and businesses. Guided by our core values of health, wealth, mind, and faith, we also offer dietary inclusive options in our food selections. Customers can shop ready-to-purchase gifts or request custom creations, with nationwide shipping across the USA; floral services are available only in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.
Liz Muenzen is the owner and founder of Branches and Burrows, a professional home organizing business that helps people simplify their lives using the KonMari method, a framework created by Japanese organizer Marie Kondo.
The program builds on the success of the Blueprint for Business Accelerator series developed by Dee Dice and Kasey Corsello, which has supported more than 30 small business owners in previous Westfield cohorts. The Mindshift rebrand represents an expanded and enhanced curriculum that integrates entrepreneurial mindset work, leadership development, and emotional resilience alongside technical business training. Dice and Corsello are serving as coaches for the current cohort.
“We’ve seen firsthand how powerful this model can be,” said Allen. “By embedding support, mentoring, and funding into a single experience, and making it accessible to those who need it most, we’re creating real pathways to sustainable business growth.”
For more information about The Sphere Northampton and future accelerator opportunities, visit www.spherenorthampton.com
About The Sphere Northampton
Founded in 2023, The Sphere Northampton is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a strong, hyper-local business ecosystem in the Pioneer Valley. The organization has secured more than $390,000 in grant funding in over two years and has served over 700 entrepreneurs through educational programming, mentoring, and events. The Sphere is committed to economic empowerment, sustainability, and reimagining what business ownership can look like for everyone.
