Banner Signs isn’t just a company; it’s a testament to the impact of our like-minded community. By harnessing mentorship, teamwork, and an entrepreneurial spirit, the Greenhouse community has become the engine behind what is now a thriving, profitable, and growing business serving clients worldwide.

For CEO and President of Banner Signs, Ivan Hernandez, hard work is in his blood. After his mother was deported to Mexico, Ivan helped his father support their family from a young age by working any job he could get. Despite tirelessly working throughout high school, Ivan excelled academically, earning college credits and becoming Valedictorian. When it was time for college, he was accepted as a Scholar at Greenhouse, becoming the first in his family to graduate college by earning a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting from the University of Denver Daniels College of Business.

Recognizing Ivan’s passion early on, Greenhouse paired him with investor, mentor, and community changemaker Taylor Kirkpatrick. As this dynamic duo’s relationship grew, Taylor encouraged Ivan to get his MBA and become his business partner as part-owner and CEO of their newly purchased Banner Signs. Since then, business has grown with revenue increasing from $735k in 2019 to $1.4M in 2024. More members of the Greenhouse community have joined the company’s board, namely Ivan’s mentors, Doug Bonnette, and Sponsor a Scholar Group leader, Lane Hornung.

A true embodiment of Greenhouse’s ability to create change through entrepreneurship, Banner Signs continues its ripple effect to help the younger generation. They hire Scholars, initiate high school scholarships, and employ other highly qualified individuals from low-resource communities. Our community comes together to create change like no other, driven by the entrepreneurial spirit and determination of our members.

Year after year, millions of young people and their families face the challenge of financing a college education. Due to the high expenses of college, many families’ options are either applying for student loans or scholarships. This was true for Greenhouse’s Victoria Lamar, and it led her to launch Securing Degrees, a company designed to teach students how to graduate college debt-free through drafting well-crafted essays for college admissions offices.

Despite her and her family’s desire for her to get a college degree, higher education was financially unattainable—until she secured 3 million dollars in scholarships! Inspired and enlightened by her own experience, she saw an opportunity to help others achieve their college dreams through a low-cost service that optimizes scholarship essays and college applications.

Victoria’s initiative caught the attention of Karl Maier at a Greenhouse pitch prep competition, and he eagerly joined her to scale the business. In just four years, they grew Securing Degrees to assist 2,500 students and facilitate $11 million in scholarships. With guidance from her Greenhouse mentor Matt Kelley and financial support from Greenhouse Flex Funding, Victoria also created partnerships with 15 schools and organizations, including a significant collaboration with the San Francisco Unified School District. Today, Victoria proudly offers her own scholarship to award students.

Thanks to the collective efforts of the Greenhouse community, Securing Degrees has enabled students to earn over $20 million in scholarships and has served more than 4,000 families. Inspired by one person’s challenging circumstances, this innovative and inclusive idea is a result of the diverse and committed individuals in the Greenhouse community coming together to create such positive change.

Part of what makes the Greenhouse community so special is the crossing paths and webs of relationships that lead to great things. Often, there are layers upon layers of actions, connections, and tangible results that spread through individuals, families, and whole communities. This story exemplifies the Greenhouse ripple effect.

This ripple begins with the DeVa Group, a network within Greenhouse of friends and alumni from Denison University and the University of Virginia. Notable members include Dave Kirkpatrick, Todd Smith, and Stockton Croft, who were instrumental in founding Greenhouse Georgia. Beyond establishing our Georgia presence, these men have been outstanding leaders and mentors for future changemakers in the Greenhouse community.

Amadou Bah, a visionary Greenhouse Young Leader, has greatly benefited from the DeVa Group’s mentorship, particularly from Stockton Croft. Recognizing Stockton’s exceptional mentoring abilities, Amadou introduced him to Dexter Ward, his childhood friend. Although Dexter wasn’t a Greenhouse Scholar, Amadou knew his potential to become a real changemaker under Stockton’s guidance. Dexter, now a successful investment banker, attributes much of his success to the Greenhouse community.

When Amadou graduated from Stanford University, Greenhouse staff member Scott Burridge introduced him to Greenhouse supporter and North Point Advisors founder Matt Kelley. From there, Amadou was hired at North Point and became the first person of color to work at the prestigious San Francisco-based investment banking firm. Since Amadou’s successful career start at North Point, they have hired a second Greenhouse alum—Saf Moqeet—who is also thriving there.

Now an official member of the DeVa Group, Amadou sponsors current Greenhouse Scholar Abdoul Diallo, passing down the knowledge he’s gained and wisdom he’s received from his mentors. With years of mentorship and other support from Greenhouse, Amadou has gone on to create his own community change with the founding of the Bah Foundation, a non-profit in the greater Atlanta area. Greenhouse has provided seed capital for the Bah Foundation and its important work in Georgia, which has included feeding 10,000 homeless people and launching “Project Hair,” dedicated to providing haircuts and hairstyles for boys and girls, aimed at boosting self-confidence and addressing mental health issues related to personal appearance. The Foundation also aspires to go global and build water wells, schools, and community centers in Guinea.

The contributions and tangible impact we are creating are sustaining, spreading, and dynamic. This is a great example of our ongoing ripple effect, and most certainly to be continued!

Everyone loves pizza and ice cream, but there’s a deeper reason why Walsenburg, Colorado cherishes Gub Gub’s Pizza and Ice Cream. To this small, rural town, Gub Gub’s symbolizes a future of economic prosperity and much-needed community spirit. Founded by current Greenhouse Alum Helena Cappon, the lead-up to this local business shows exactly what happens when the Greenhouse community gets behind something.

In the early stages, Greenhouse mentor Taylor Kirkpatrick met Helena through our Young Leaders Program Entrepreneurship Component. Upon getting to know each other and Helena’s idea, he worked with her to refine a business pitch for an ice cream and pizzeria with purpose. As Gub Gub’s began to take shape, it gained more steam at a Greenhouse Idea Enhancement Session with Eric Kean, CEO of MainStage Brewing. Inspired by Helena and her passion for what a small business can do, he provided her with some industry best practices and even a recipe for a pizza sauce. With funding from Greenhouse, Helena took a major step, transforming an old gas station into a New York-inspired pizzeria.

Since opening its doors on November 22, 2022, Gub Gub’s has quickly become a beloved local hotspot and essential pitstop for travelers passing through Walsenburg. The business has generated a profit almost since its inception. Much of the profit has been reinvested back into the business to support its growth, and the growth of its community work.

Beyond serving as a charming roadside attraction, Gub Gub’s has become a vital part of the community by providing jobs, summer internships, and even reading programs for children. Their “Get Gub’s” reading program rewards students with a free cheese pizza for every punch card they fill by reading books. This initiative not only promotes literacy but also strengthens the bond between the business and the local youth.

Gub Gub’s dedication to community involvement extends further with annual donations to local organizations such as La Veta School Sports, Walsenburg High School Sports, Misfits Wrestling, Spanish Peaks Library District, 4H Club, and Walsenburg Downtown Revitalization. As the sole pizzeria and ice cream shop within a 50-mile radius, Gub Gub’s holds a unique and valued position. In a time when rural America is witnessing an exodus of young adults leaving for opportunities elsewhere, Gub Gub’s stands as a beacon of hope, fostering a sense of community and offering a welcoming hangout that encourages the next generation to stay and thrive in their hometown.

For Greenhouse, Gub Gub’s is a small business that represents more than just products and services—it embodies positivity, community, and opportunity. Through initiatives like youth programs, internships, and fostering a gathering place for locals, Gub Gub’s is realizing their vision of a pizza shop grounded in the values of education, growth, and community spirit. Gub Gub’s is a shining example of how the Greenhouse community is helping to support rural towns in the American West and across the country.

The Greenhouse community thrives on collaboration and the shared goal of creating meaningful change. This is beautifully illustrated through the journey of Kiko Wong, a current Greenhouse Alum, whose achievements showcase the collective power and influence of the Greenhouse network.

Kiko’s story began with the Whole Person College Program, which provided him with the tools and guidance needed to navigate crucial decisions during and after college. Just months after graduation, Kiko made the bold decision to rescind a consulting role at Deloitte to co-found ClimateHaven, a climate change incubator. This bold move was supported by his Greenhouse mentor, Josh Chernoff, a seasoned consultant and long-time Greenhouse contributor. Josh, who has been involved with our programs since 2012, provided invaluable guidance for Kiko as he weighed his options between ClimateHaven and Deloitte.

The strength of the Greenhouse community extends far beyond individual mentorship. With backing from the US Department of Energy, Yale University, and the state of Connecticut, Kiko and his co-founder raised $1.5 million for ClimateHaven. This milestone was achieved with the support of two Greenhouse contributor families, Tom and Cynthia Manos, and Lynda and Mark Lozier, who provided both financial backing and personal encouragement.

Our community’s ripple effect is evident in the opportunities created for others. ClimateHaven, under Kiko’s leadership, employs five full-time staff and is constructing a 16,000-square-foot facility, managing projects worth $100 million. The interconnected support within Greenhouse was further highlighted when Kiko’s inspiring speech at our Community Table relationship building event led to a job offer from Lowercarbon Capital.

Kiko’s involvement in the Greenhouse Young Leaders Program further underscores the community’s impact. Coached by Greg Golden, Robert Sheft, Harry Kiefer, and Timothy Doyle, Kiko was one of the first participants in the coaching component of our Young Leaders Program, which continues to support new leaders and changemakers in their various pursuits.

Kiko’s success is a testament to our dynamic and supportive community. From mentorship and financial support to professional guidance to coaching and networking, the Greenhouse community unites to create positive, lasting change. This story of interconnected support and collective achievement exemplifies the ongoing legacy of the Greenhouse people effect, demonstrating how our community continually fosters growth and opportunities for all its members.