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How Frontier Flame Turned a Family Recipe into a Thriving Glendo Restaurant

January 21, 2026

In the heart of Glendo, Wyoming, a culinary dream fueled by family and a dash of green chili was realized from the shared vision of Michelle Belt, her mother Zenda Lange, and her sister Ashley Durand. Frontier Flame opened its doors in April 2024.

“My mom has always wanted her own restaurant,” Michelle explains. “She has been a chef for over 30 years. She has managed many restaurants around Wyoming and Colorado and in March 2024 she was asked by one of the local business owners if she wanted to lease their restaurant. She was so excited! She asked my sister and I if we would like to be a part of this new business. We agreed and my mom signed the contract with them.”

Soon after, Frontier Flame relocated. “The owner of Kim’s Place asked us if we would be interested in buying her restaurant,” Michelle says. “We knew buying our own place would be better for us in the long run. So, we bought the restaurant.”

Initially, navigating the seasonal rhythms of a tourist town presented its challenges. “Trying to decide what the best business hours would be with a small staff has been a challenge,” Michelle says. Through trial and error, Frontier Flame has found their rhythm. Each member of the team brings unique skills to the table: Zenda’s renowned culinary expertise, Ashley’s seasoned bartending skills, and Michelle’s diverse background and entrepreneurial drive.

Before Frontier Flame, Michelle Belt had aspirations of business ownership. Seeking more information about the process, she met with Steen Stovall at the Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network. “Steen was extremely helpful! He helped me with market research for a laundromat, writing a business plan, and gave me information about business licenses,” Michelle recalls.

The Wyoming SBDC Network came back into the picture for the family’s new restaurant and proved to be a beneficial resource for the business. “From information on LLC’s to social media advice, the services and resources provided by the SBDC has been a blessing! The market research was a big help.” Michelle says of her work with Steen and the SBDC team. “There is a comfort in knowing that if I am having trouble solving a problem, that they will be there to help me solve it.”

Frontier Flame has received great reviews, and they plan to expand their business soon using the business’ secret ingredient: Zenda’s legendary homemade green chili. “My mom Zenda has developed an excellent green chili recipe over the years. We have plans to ‘can’ it and sell it in stores,” Michelle shares.

Michelle also envisions Frontier Flame expanding to multiple locations and diversifying her own entrepreneurial portfolio with other businesses. As for advice to other entrepreneurs, she emphasizes the importance of having a strong team. “You can be the hardest working person, but you can’t do it all.

Learn more about Frontier Flame here.

Learn more about Wyoming SBDC Network here.

Crepes in the Park’s Transition to Independent Ownership

January 7, 2026

Maryland SBDC — When Abby Larkin, owner of Crepes in the Park, decided to part ways with the a crepes franchise and operate independently, she reached out to the Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for guidance. This decision marked a significant milestone for Abby, who had been running the Severna Park franchise since 2013. Transitioning to independent ownership allowed her to reimagine her business, offering locally inspired crepes and a cozy dining experience tailored to her vision and the community’s needs.

Through her engagement with SBDC and the Maryland Business Opportunity Center (MBOC), Abby received extensive support in her relaunch efforts. SBDC Consultant, Dr.Candace Pruett provided strategic insights into marketing, website development, human resources, and business considerations to ease Abby’s transition. The services and guidance Abby received included:

Relaunch Strategy and Marketing Support: Abby collaborated with design experts referred by MBOC, who assisted her with developing marketing materials. Candace also advised Abby on effective strategies for updating her social media and Google business accounts to maintain her established customer base during the relaunch.

Human Resources and Employee Support: MBOC facilitated Abby’s partnership with SherrieBrown, an HR expert, who helped craft an employee handbook tailored to Abby’s business and hiring needs.

Technical and Operational Assistance: With the assistance of SBDC and MBOC, Abby received referrals to specialists for her website development and digital marketing needs. This enabled her to replace the franchise’s website with a modern, functional site optimized for online ordering—a crucial feature for her thriving takeout business.

Community Engagement and Event Planning: As a capstone to her journey, Abby and the local Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 30, 2024, celebrating her transformation from a franchisee to an independent business owner. This event represents both Abby’s personal achievement and the positive impact of SBDC’s support on local businesses in Severna Park.

Crepes in the Park now stands as a proud, community-oriented establishment under Abby’s independent vision. By offering quality products and personalized service, Abby is committed to enriching Severna Park with a business that is both local and customer-focused, thanks to the support and resources from SBDC and MBOC.

For more informationa bout Crepes in the Park, please visit https://crepesinthepark.com/.

For more information about Maryland SBDC, visit www.marylandsbdc.org.

Chef Sunflower Cooks Up Success with SBDC Support

December 10, 2025

Temple University SBDC – Chef Shon Emanuel, affectionately known as Chef Sunflower, is a self-taught vegan chef with a passion for creating plant-based proteins that are simple, nutritious, and delicious. Operating from her family’s restaurant in West Philadelphia, she developed “Thaw-Heat-and-Eat” vegan offerings to make healthy eating more accessible.

Shondia’s entrepreneurial journey began when her family restaurant saw increased demand for health options during the pandemic, but she noticed their food suppliers only offered vegan burgers and nuggets. Determined to meet their customer’s demand at her family’s high standards, Chef Sunflower decided to focus on plant-based food innovation.

At one point, structural issues with their building forced the family to close their restaurant, leaving Shondia searching for a way to keep her culinary dreams alive. While the restaurant was closed, she dove into a completely new venture: consumer packaged goods. Without prior business experience, she faced obstacles in creating a business plan, getting her production processed properly licensed, securing funding, and crafting a compelling pitch to attract investment.

In May 2024, Shon reached out to the Temple University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for help. She worked closely with consultant Isabel Krome to refine her vision. Over the summer, the SBDC guided her in completing a business plan and preparing for Drexel University’s B Smart program, where participants develop financial projections and pitches. Shondia practiced her pitch with SBDC consultants and gained critical insights into presenting her business idea confidently and effectively.

“Working with the Temple SBDC has been an incredible experience. I was perfectly matched with my advisor, who has been instrumental in guiding me through the challenges of launching a new food business venture.”

Chef Sunflower, Founder, BTW, It’s Vegan

With SBDC support, Chef Sunflower achieved key milestones, including completing her business plan and perfecting her pitch. Her hard work paid off at the B Smart pitch day, where she secured a $5,000 grant from Citizens Bank. This funding has positioned her to officially launch her business in January 2025, turning her dream into reality.

Chef Sunflower’s resilience and determination, combined with the Temple University SBDC’s resources and expertise, have set heron a path to success. Her story is an inspiring example of overcoming adversity, leveraging community resources, and building abusiness that not only supports her but promotes healthy eating in her community.

Learn more about BTW, It’s Vegan on their website and Instagram.

To learn more about Pennsylvania SBDC, visit: https://www.pasbdc.org/