EZ Awareness By Design

EZ Awareness By Design is a Flint-based creative design company founded by entrepreneur, advocate and public speaker Eric Patrick Thomas, also known as Mr. Inspire. Since 2011, the company has provided graphic design services for custom apparel, signage, banners and promotional materials, working closely with local print partners to fulfill production needs.

EZ Awareness By Design is also home to the Inspire® brand — a lifestyle movement rooted in resilience, inclusion and positive action. With multiple retail locations, Inspire® offers apparel and merchandise that spark conversation, build community and promote social change. Guided by the belief that "without awareness, you're invisible," the company is committed to inclusion, providing real-world job experience to people of all abilities and strengthening the local entrepreneurial ecosystem through accessibility and design.

The company engaged with the Flint & Genesee Small Business Support Hub to strengthen its business operations, enhance its business plan, and build valuable connections with other entrepreneurs. The Flint & Genesee Small Business Support Hub is among 27 hubs around the state of Michigan supported by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation that provide resources and guidance to aspiring entrepreneurs as an aspect of the state’s “Make It in Michigan” strategy focused on people, places and projects.

A key motivator for staff in seeking support was their previous experiences applying for grants, which were not successful. They wanted better outcomes and knew they needed to improve their approach. By consulting with the Hub, they gained a clearer understanding of the grant writing process, received guidance on how to write stronger proposals and developed the skills to become more effective and confident grant writers, setting them up for greater success in future funding opportunities and leading to a successful application for the Moving Flint Forward grant. They also received assistance in refining and strengthening their business plan, which provided a clearer roadmap for growth.

In addition to technical support, they secured access to resources and were invited to local entrepreneurial events and networking opportunities designed to support small business development. One of the most impactful connections came through the Genesee Entrepreneur Network, which introduced them to a new business banking relationship with Huntington Bank — a key step in building a stronger financial foundation for the business.

“EZ Awareness’ success is a testament to the hard work of entrepreneurs in our community, and it highlights the impact of providing accessible resources and support to small businesses,” said Karena Hamlet, program director of Business Services at Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance. “We’re honored to be part of this company's journey and look forward to seeing their continued growth.”

Before engaging with the Hub, EZ Awareness By Design had clear and ambitious goals centered around sustainable growth and deeper community impact. The primary objective was to secure funding through grants to invest in essential business resources, including equipment, software, furniture, marketing and, critically, inventory.

Having the ability to purchase inventory in bulk was especially important, as it would improve profit margins and provide the financial flexibility needed to expand the business and amplify the Inspire® brand’s message of resilience and inclusion. Ultimately, the goal was to strengthen the company’s foundation to better serve the community, create inclusive job opportunities and inspire positive change through design and advocacy.

As a business owner with a spinal cord injury and part of the underrepresented disability community, Thomas faced not only financial and operational hurdles, but also significant systemic and physical barriers. Physically, building a business while managing complex daily care and accessibility needs requires a level of planning, coordination and resilience that many others don’t have to consider.

On a broader level, the disability community has long been overlooked in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. While many national grant platforms offer categories for minority-, women-, veteran- or even disabled veteran–owned businesses, rarely is there a dedicated category for disabled-owned businesses. This lack of recognition creates a major gap in access and opportunity for entrepreneurs with disabilities.

The Hub has actively worked to close this gap. Unlike many other regions in the country, they include everyone—including disabled business owners—in their grant opportunities, programs and networks. For EZ Awareness By Design, the Hub offered more access, support and opportunity than any other organization nationwide.

“More than anything, the Hub saw us. They recognized our potential, listened to our story, and treated our disability-owned business with the respect and attention often missing in other parts of the country,” said Thomas. “We are deeply grateful for their belief in our mission and for opening doors that once seemed closed. Together, we are proving that with the right support, determination fuels growth and business can be a powerful force for positive change.”