Aurora, It’s Your Business Celebrates African-American Female Entrepreneurs

Episode Two with Donna Jolly, HaloHeat Sauna Studios, and Sandra Harrison, DVA Leadership & Development Training
 
Aurora, IL — 5/1/25 — The Aurora Regional Economic Alliance (Alliance) continued strongly with the second episode of Aurora, It’s Your Business, a program on Aurora Cable Television (ACTV) geared toward shining a light on the people and companies shaping the future of the Aurora region.
 
Hosted by Kelly O’Brien, president & CEO of the Alliance, the program airs twice each month and features business leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers who are driving growth, innovation, and opportunity in the Aurora region.
 
Episode Two with Donna Jolly, HaloHeat Sauna Studios, and Sandra Harrison, DVA Leadership & Development Training
 
On this episode, O’Brien welcomed Donna Jolly, owner of HaloHeat Sauna Studios, and Sandra Harrison, owner of DVA Leadership & Development Training, to talk about their journeys into entrepreneurship, the essential nature of embracing community involvement and support, and what it means to be minority and female business owners serving in the Aurora region.
 
Jolly talked about her move away from the corporate healthcare field and management consulting, citing the need to do something that aligned with her authentically. Offering full holistic care at affordable prices at HaloHeat Sauna Studios was the key, and, after a year of intense planning and a year in business, she is a lot happier.
 
Harrison spoke of her journey as a labor of love that began 25 years ago when working for youth services after being a struggling parent in search of support. Her decision to become an entrepreneur seemed a natural progression, and she now offers leadership and development consulting services to everyone from nonprofit organizations, schools, and faith communities to businesses and corporate entities, helping them build teams in exciting and often unexpected ways.
 
While the two women’s journeys were different, they both spoke of the importance of intentional planning coupled with the flexibility of wearing many hats while also utilizing and embracing the community of support around them.
 
Both also offered numerous funding and start-up resources available to those wanting to take on the journey of entrepreneurship. Among other suggestions, Jolly noted Rollovers as Business Start-ups while Harrison mentioned her use of the Entrepreneurs Academy.
 
Both women also touted the importance of being role models to young black women in their communities. Jolly championed her position as a way to set the table for the next generation and help them go beyond even what she has accomplished. Harrison emphasized the importance of knowing the history of their culture and allowing her own story to be a guiding light to young women to show that despite all of that, this is possible.
 
Watch Episode Two Now
Watch Episode Two of Aurora, It’s Your Business at this link: https://youtu.be/LSiR3zOrMu4. Stay tuned for upcoming announcements about developments for each of these amazing women.
 
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The Aurora Regional Economic Alliance (Alliance) is an Economic Development and Chamber of Commerce corporation charged with fostering equitable and sustainable economic growth. By joining forces through the Alliance, the region will present a unified front in support of existing businesses, advocate for a positive economic environment, amplify the voices of women- and minority-owned businesses, and attract investment. Its work will support and complement Aurora’s development and redevelopment initiatives by marketing the city’s assets and competitive advantages and supporting existing businesses.
 
The organization was established to unite the efforts of Invest Aurora, the Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Quad County African American Chamber of Commerce, and Aurora Downtown, forming an umbrella organization that provides the collaborative structure necessary for greater impact. It became officially operational in January 2025.
 
For more information, press only:
 
Victoria Maldonado
Communications
victoria@auroraalliance.org
 
For more information: www.auroraregionaleconomicalliance.org