Ignite Local Partners with ELD to Empower Entrepreneurs and Build a Better World

Ignite Local, a digital marketing agency dedicated to helping small businesses thrive, is proud to partner with Entrepreneurial Leadership Development (ELD), a nonprofit organization working to reduce poverty and dependency through entrepreneurship training, leadership development, and economic empowerment.

This partnership is rooted in a shared mission: to help individuals and families not just survive, but flourish—using business as a force for good. Together, Ignite Local and ELD are building a future where empowerment through entrepreneurship creates lasting change across communities in need.

Top leadership from Ignite Local has volunteered with ELD, teaching business and entrepreneurship to underserved communities in the United States and internationally in countries like Bhutan, India, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. These efforts go beyond donations—they reflect a deep commitment to service, stewardship, and sustainable growth.

“At Ignite Local, we believe that small business is the heartbeat of any thriving economy,” said Justin Vorhees, CEO of Ignite Local. “Whether we're supporting a local contractor in Washington or a farmer in Uganda, our goal is the same: help people grow something of value with the resources they already have.”

That vision aligns seamlessly with ELD’s model. By equipping individuals with business acumen, mentorship, and leadership skills, ELD has helped launch or grow hundreds of businesses globally. These ventures generate income, create jobs, and reduce long-term dependence on foreign aid, offering a tangible solution to poverty that starts with human dignity and pride of ownership.

One of many inspiring examples of this mission in action is the story of Tom, a farmer in Africa who attended an ELD training. Tom began with a modest tomato crop. After applying ELD’s teaching, he expanded into passion fruit and peppers. His operation is now so successful that wholesalers drive directly to his farm to fill their trucks.

But Tom’s success didn’t stop at profits. He reinvested in his community by starting a school that now serves over 50 children, providing both education and daily meals. He has also created jobs by hiring numerous local workers on his farm. Tom’s story demonstrates what’s possible when entrepreneurs from impoverished communities are given tools, training, and encouragement. It’s a model of businesses doing social good, and it’s working.

Ignite Local’s support of ELD isn’t just corporate goodwill—it’s a reflection of the agency’s DNA. Founded on the principle of serving people before profits, Ignite has helped hundreds of local businesses grow by combining transparent service, no-contract policies, and impactful results. Now, that same passion is being used to uplift entrepreneurs around the world.

This work is also a powerful example of corporate social responsibility in action. By donating time, talent, and expertise, Ignite Local is proving that business leaders can and should play a role in solving global challenges—not by giving handouts, but by building people up.

“From the beginning, Ignite Local has believed in doing business by the Golden Rule—treating clients, team members, and communities with respect and care," said Brad Vorhees, founder of Ignite Local. "Supporting ELD is a natural extension of that philosophy. We’re not just in business to grow companies—we’re here to grow people. When you equip someone with the tools to build a business and steward their resources well, you’re not just changing their income—you’re changing their legacy.”

From helping American small business owners stand out online to empowering African farmers to become community leaders, Ignite Local is on a mission to create meaningful, lasting impact.

To learn more about how Ignite Local supports businesses near and far, visit ignitelocal.com.

For more on ELD’s global impact and how to get involved, visit eld.global and eldusa.org.