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The Repository

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'Won’t be starting from scratch.' Meet NaSheka Combs-Lemon of JumpStart

Massillon native NaSheka Combs-Lemon enjoys helping Stark County residents achieve the dream of starting their own businesses. The 41-year-old Massillon Washington graduate recently was named director of entrepreneurial services for Stark County by JumpStart Inc. Across her professional background, Combs-Lemon said she has helped people and businesses move their ideas forward. Combs-Lemon, the daughter of "amazing parents" Jeff and Cornelia Combs, first attended the University of Kentucky after high school and then graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology. “I joined JumpStart from the Stark Economic Development Board (Strengthening Stark), where I most recently served as director of small business growth and entrepreneurial development and previously as workforce development manager, leading the Stark Career Connect initiative focused on employment and upskilling for in-demand industries," she said. “In those roles, I designed the Step Into Credit capital access program and built the Pathway to Bankability workshop series connecting entrepreneurs with credit readiness support and lender relationships. I also led efforts to re-engage the county’s Micro-Business Committee and strengthened cross-organization partnerships.” Her professional background also includes business development, workforce development, social services and community development, plus experience starting a local small business. “It's an

Stark County, OH · 20d