They have to make a living, of course, but the owners of Rehoboth Beach's Beachin Bash aim to enrich the lives of others on their journey.
And the Delaware Division of Small Business is assisting the husband-and-wife team of Jim and Erica Kirlin, with a $50,000 grant announced May 23.
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REHOBOTH BEACH — They have to make a living, of course, but the owners of Beachin Bash aim to enrich the lives of others on their journey.
And the Delaware Division of Small Business is assisting the husband-and-wife team of Jim and Erica Kirlin, with a $50,000 grant announced May 23.
With the Encouraging Development, Growth and Expansion funding, the event management company expanded, with a larger van to haul equipment.
Beachin Bash, which debuted in 2020, was among 10 businesses from 120 applicants that received such monetary aid.
“It’s a great thing for entrepreneurs. It’s a great resource for small businesses,” Ms. Kirlin said. “In this day and age, it can kind of level the playing field to have an interjection of cash.”
The Kirlins’ enterprise offers full-service events, including beach bonfires, luxury beach picnics, catering and in-home parties.
“You can call us, and instead of dealing with a bunch of different vendors, everything is in-house,” Mr. Kirlin said. “With us, you know what you’re getting.”
A Division of Small Business news release spotlighted Beachin Bash as “an event management company specializing in unique events from luxury beach picnics and beach bonfires to bachelorette/bachelor parties, corporate gatherings, large festivals, and in house catering.”
“Beachin Bash will use EDGE funding to purchase an updated cargo van. The acquisition of a gently used, high-top van will enhance their operational capabilities, allowing for more efficient and reliable transport of equipment and supplies, thereby supporting their expansion and ability to manage multiple events simultaneously.”
It went on to state that the funding will help Beachin Bash stay “at the forefront of delivering luxury and ease at every event.”
Mr. Kirlin described his company’s mission as “wanting to be a part of our community, and we base that on ‘compassionate capitalism.’ And what that means is, I don’t see anything or anyone as competitors in the small-business field. I want to uplift and help anybody.”
To that end, the business donates monthly to nonprofits like The Shepherd’s Place in Georgetown.
“It’s a little different than ‘I just want to make us some money,’” Mr. Kirlin said. “I want those people standing next to us or walking with us going on to do bigger and better things.”
For information about Beachin Bash, visit beachinbash.com.
The application period for the next round of EDGE funding opens Aug. 1. For information, visit business.delaware.gov/edge.