About Us
E&BC exists to break down the barriers that hold people back in business.
We are a Springfield-based collaborative working at the intersection of leadership, entrepreneurship, and economic justice. Our mission is to empower individuals in business to achieve their self-defined transformational growth.
We believe in meeting people where they are, whether they are launching a new idea, stepping into leadership, or navigating change inside an organization. Business is not one path; it is many. We help people build systems that fit how they think, work, and grow.
Our work is rooted in lived experience. As active builders ourselves, our team leads projects in workforce development, small business operations, neighborhood investment, hospitality, and early-stage capital planning. These efforts keep us connected to what it really takes to grow something with limited resources and real responsibility.
We live and work in the communities we serve. That is why our approach stays practical, collaborative, and focused on helping people move forward with clarity and confidence.
Our Story
E&BC was not born out of theory. It began with lived experience, hard lessons, and a deep commitment to building something better for others who would walk the same road.
In the early days, our work took a different form. We started with a handcrafted candle business that introduced us to what it truly takes to launch and sustain a product-based brand from the ground up. Like many new ventures, it showed promise. We sold products, connected with customers, and carved out space in a crowded market. But funding ran dry, and the guidance we received from consultants at the time often fell short. What we gained from that chapter proved more valuable than short-term profit. It gave us insight into the kinds of support systems that actually make a difference. We saw where most models failed and where real opportunity could exist.
Not long after, we stepped into what felt like a defining opportunity to contribute to a major recovery effort. We proposed a vision for more community-centered public investment, and for nearly a year, we worked alongside leaders and partners to bring that vision to life. For a time, it seemed possible. But internal changes and shifting priorities altered the course. The opportunity was scaled back, and eventually, the support disappeared altogether. Along with it went our office, our early momentum, and the sense of security we had worked hard to build. It was a hard ending, but one that brought clarity.
We emerged from that experience with sharper focus, deeper conviction, and the choice to build something on our own terms. That original proposal and the belief behind it became the spark for what would eventually become E&BC.
We began as a consulting practice, offering grant writing and strategic planning services. But as the landscape changed and tools like AI made some of those services more accessible, we chose to shift as well. Instead of competing with technology, we leaned into what we do best. We focused on developing people. Our work expanded into leadership training, mentorship, and capacity-building rooted in real-world experience and practical tools.
While Ron strengthened our partnerships across the state and expanded the reach of our programs, Kelvin returned to school to deepen the frameworks and learning environments that now shape our leadership development offerings. Together, we have built E&BC into a growing space for individuals and organizations who are ready to lead, grow, and create systems that reflect their purpose.
In recent years, we have delivered leadership training to both youth and adults, embedded personal development into workforce readiness programs, and supported emerging entrepreneurs in clarifying their goals and building sustainable paths forward. Today, our trainings run in seasonal cohorts, both in person and online, with a growing digital presence that reflects our commitment to accessibility and impact.
E&BC continues to grow. We are working to strengthen our role in regional economic development, expand as a training hub for specific sectors, and foster an ecosystem of leadership grounded in justice, clarity, and transformation. Through it all, we remain focused. Our work is not temporary, but rooted in resilience, and built to last.
Meet the Founders
Kelvin and Ron Molina-Brantley are the co-founders of E&BC and the architects of a growing ecosystem of ventures dedicated to leadership, equity, and economic transformation.
Together, they bring decades of experience across the nonprofit, public, private, and military sectors. Their experience is shaped not only by professional roles but by a deep personal commitment to building stronger communities and more inclusive systems. They are strategists, builders, and educators who have moved from advising institutions to designing their own.
Dr. Kelvin Molina-Brantley, CEO of E&BC, leads the organization's long-term vision and learning strategy. With a background in organizational design, leadership theory, and regional planning, he has guided leaders and institutions through complex transitions with clarity and purpose. Kelvin holds a doctorate in Organizational Leadership and designs many of E&BC’s flagship training programs. His work is grounded in the belief that leadership should reflect who we are, not just what we do.
Ron Molina-Brantley, Managing Partner and Program Strategist, is the systems thinker behind E&BC’s operational growth. With roots in finance, entrepreneurship, and program design, Ron has spent years turning ambitious ideas into actionable, scalable solutions. He has led the development of programs, partnerships, and initiatives that shape the organization today and continues to expand its reach across the state and beyond.
What sets them apart is the way they integrate leadership and enterprise into a broader strategy for community advancement. Together, they have built a network of offerings that include leadership training, workforce readiness, mentorship, and entrepreneurial support. Their work is unified by a clear purpose: to remove barriers, equip people with meaningful tools, and create lasting opportunities for growth and mobility. This ecosystem approach allows their work to remain both adaptive and deeply rooted, meeting the real needs of individuals and communities working toward meaningful change.
Outside of their work, Kelvin and Ron spend summers camping with their two boys and investing time in Puerto Rico, where they are building an ecotourism business grounded in community engagement. It is in these moments of rest and reflection that some of their best ideas come to life. They believe leadership is not reserved for the few. It belongs to anyone ready to grow, lead with integrity, and build something that lasts. Through E&BC, they are creating the tools, systems, and support that make that possible.
The values we believe in
clarity
We believe progress begins with clear thinking. Whether designing systems or leading others, we help individuals cut through confusion and move forward with purpose and direction.
Curiosity
We approach challenges with a learning mindset. We ask questions, stay open to new ideas, and create space for people to explore without judgment.
Courage
Growth requires discomfort. We support individuals in stepping into leadership with confidence, even when the path ahead feels uncertain or new.
accountability
We do what we say we will do. We lead by example, hold ourselves and others to high standards, and believe accountability is an act of care, not control.
integrity
We lead with alignment and care. We honor the communities we come from by staying rooted in honesty, purpose, and respect in everything we do.