Kelley

STEUBENVILLE — Eliza Kelley’s dream has always been to start her own business, and, since 2019, she’s been living that dream.

A native and current resident of Steubenville, Kelley is the owner of EMIT Training Consultants, which she founded six years ago. Since then, she’s scaled her business with help from the Minority Business Assistance Center in Youngstown and seen achievements beyond her expectations.

That same MBAC office honored Kelley Feb. 11 in commemoration of Black History Month. In a social media post, the MBAC identified EMIT Training Consultants as “a minority woman-owned small business that was created to challenge the misconceptions associated with the lack of knowledge as it pertains to training and consulting in the private, public and construction sectors.”

“Keep being great Eliza, and happy Black History Month,” the post adds.

Tanisha Wheeler serves as director of the MBAC’s Youngstown Region, which covers Ashtabula, Trumbull, Mahoning, Columbiana, Jefferson, Belmont and Monroe counties.

With multiple offices throughout the state, the MBAC — part of the Ohio Department of Development — serves minority-owned businesses, helping them to grow, Wheeler said. A portion of the MBAC’s work involves assisting clients through obtaining minority business certification, which makes them eligible to submit bids on government contracts and for various loan programs, among other benefits.

That’s the process Kelley was undergoing when she first met Wheeler in 2022. Kelley became one of Wheeler’s first clients, and, through that relationship, Kelley obtained three certifications: Minority Business Enterprise, Women-Owned Business Enterprise and Encouraging Diversity, Growth and Equity.

Wheeler recalled reaching out to Kelley in early February to check on her progress. She was surprised to hear Kelley had obtained “a ton of contracts,” a feat that can be “very challenging” in this region.

The MBAC occasionally highlights success stories — typically from the Youngstown area, due to their proximity — and Wheeler decided to recognize Kelley with a social media post. Wheeler said that Kelley, who’s also a mother and full-time educator, has excelled with her business since its “grassroots” era in 2022.

“One thing I can say about Eliza is she has been very diligent, consistent, and she knows her stuff, so it was a worthy recognition,” Wheeler said of the post.

Kelley herself said Jan. 18: “It truly is an honor to be recognized by the Minority Business Assistance Center. Their assistance has been invaluable to EMIT Training Consultants, their staff is wonderful. Tanisha is outstanding and always on call. This is such an excellent program and I’m truly honored to be recognized by such a distinguished organization.”

Born and raised in Steubenville, Kelley graduated from Steubenville High School in 1988 and left the area to further her education. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the former David N. Myers University, where she was a four-year basketball scholarship recipient, and master’s degree in education from Kent State University.

Having moved back to Steubenville around 2000, Kelley founded EMIT Training Consultants, fueled by her “passion” to start a business from the ground up.

She created her business to “catapult training into the 21st century.” EMIT Training Consultants’ “holistic training” spans the concepts of ethics, equity, education, management, inclusion and diversity and technology — hence EMIT. The business also deals in public outreach and engagement for contractual services.

“It’s really been an incredible experience for me to be able to do something that you really love to do and to shape and mold it into a business, to know you can actually help the community and help all those who partake in our services,” Kelley said.

Kelley said she’s proud to have entered the contract world through her certification list, to which she’s added a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise certification that’s recognized in Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Georgia.

Contracts that EMIT Training Consultants has been awarded include with the Ohio Department of Transportation, Department of Housing and Urban Development, TomTreyco McDonald’s Corp. and city of Steubenville.

The business is family-oriented, with Kelley receiving assistance from her children: Marshawn Kelley, Marcus Kelley and T’Kayla Kelley. EMIT is “always looking to hire,” Elzia Kelley said, adding that inquiries and other questions should be directed to the contact page at emitconsultants.com.

In her free time, Kelley said, she enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with her 7-year-old German shepherd, Maximus. She gives “all glory to God” for leading her on her life’s journey.

Kelley said she and her business celebrate Black History Month “every month” but recognize the special observance in February. Giving back to the community is important for Kelley, who said she’s willing and able to assist others with obtaining their own minority business certifications.

Wheeler reflected on Black History Month, a period when community members ought to take extra steps toward supporting small businesses, particularly minority-owned businesses. Whether it’s consulting, health care, cleaning or a flower shop, Wheeler said to support that business because “it truly makes a difference, not only on their families but the community that you live in.”

“We are a proud small business, minority-owned business,” Kelley said. “There are no words that I can say about how proud I am to create a minority woman owned business and face the challenges that some minority women face on a day-to day-basis, and be able to accomplish your dream in a setting that allows you to be yourself, continue to strive for excellence and be true to who you are and your culture.”